Iowa Soldier Boy

During the Civil War, more than half of the state's prewar military-age population served in the Union. In total, 13,000 Iowans would lose their lives. Charles O. Musser was one of the lucky ones, surviving the war.

Soldier Boy (973.777 MUS) tells the story of Charles O. Musser's life in the military through his letters. Almost from the first letter to family and friends, he talks about the waiting for the enemy to come, and whether he will survive another day.

Musser described one of the bloodiest battles west of the Mississippi when the Confederates attempted to capture Helena, Arkansas.

Soldier Boy, edited by Barry Popchock, is a very poignant story of a man's struggle to survive the worst war on U.S. soil.

By the time he left the service, he held the title of sergeant.

c Waterloo Public Library 2007