Iowa may have been the scene of only one minor skirmish during the Civil War, but historians and live-action roleplayers stage battles in the state annually to highlight Iowa’s larger role in the fight to end slavery and preserve the union.
The Jackson County Historical Society gathered historians, schoolkids and dozens of Civil War reenactors for their annual Muster on the Maquoketa festival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13-15, at the Jackson County Fairgrounds.
White tents mounted with wood and rope provided shade from the weekend’s strong sun while simulating a Civil War-era military encampment. A sutlers row of vendors sold food, drinks, books, clothing and more, while others tabling at the event offered up-close looks at period-accurate medical tools, artillery, fur and leather goods, and fashion. Richard Marrow operated a chuck wagon, demonstrating how a mobile field kitchen would feed soldiers in the 1860s.
Local public school 8th graders and homeschooled kids were invited to tour the fairgrounds on Friday as a “living history” learning experience. Festivities on Saturday included a performance by the American Brass Band, a fireside talk and prayer led by Abraham Lincoln impersonator Lee Williams, a discussion of Iowa Civil War imagery by Michael Huston inside the museum, and a ticketed dinner and dance in the evening, catered by Jeronimo’s Bar & Grill in Springbrook.
Battle reenactments were held both Saturday and Sunday afternoon, its narrator portraying Confederate Col. Albert Smith Marks of Tennessee. Both battles featured the brightly colored uniforms of the Zouaves, based on the uniforms of French colonial soldiers in North Africa, as well as the more familiar Blue and Grey, and were followed by a recitation of the Gettysburg Address by Lincoln. Sunday’s events were preceded by a Civil War-style church service in the Volunteer Hall.
All photos by Kevin Richard Schafer
Characters around the camp
Kathy Kroeger, Valerie Marea and Debbie Miswald catch some shade at Muster on the Maquoketa, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Jason Hoover shows off his Civil War medical tools. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Musicians Charlie and Barry play some tunes in the open camp at Muster on the Maquoketa. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Barry plays some tunes in the open camp at Muster on the Maquoketa. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Ray plays some tunes in the open camp at Muster on the Maquoketa. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Musicians Ray, Charlie and Barry play some tunes in the open camp at Muster on the Maquoketa. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Musician Lori Schnoor was among the live musicians to keep the camp atmosphere festive. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Linda Hanover fans herself as temperatures hit the 90s on Saturday, Sept. 13 on the Jackson County Fairgrounds. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Jayden and Josh Davidson stand in front of a spread of products from Three Drunk Brothers Meadery, based in Charles City, Iowa. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
A fur sales operation on the Civil War camp. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Bruce Kroeger a.k.a. Sgt. B.S. Smith (left) displays Civil War era firearms at his table. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Cheri Cruse uses a vintage sewing machine at her table within the Muster on the Maquoketa camps. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Author Kayala F. Lobdell mans a table at Muster on the Maquoketa. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Costumed guests browse exhibits in the Jackson County Museum during Muster on the Maquoketa 2025. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village
Mustering for battle
Union troops prepare to run a drill before the Civil War battle reenactment on the Jackson County Fairgrounds, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Union troops run a drill before the battle. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Union troops run a drill before the battle. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Roleplayers representing the 1st Louisiana Infantry Company E (also called the Zouaves) fill their canteens. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
The Zouaves wore uniforms inspired by the French military, before the Confederacy instituted a dress code. That early Civil War uniform was represented at Muster on the Maquoketa. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
The 1st Louisiana Infantry Company E runs a drill. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
The 1st Louisiana Infantry Company E runs a drill. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
The 1st Louisiana Infantry Company E runs a drill. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
The 1st Louisiana Infantry Company E runs a drill. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
The 1st Louisiana Infantry Company E runs a drill. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
The 1st Louisiana Infantry Company E runs a drill. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
The 1st Louisiana Infantry Company E runs a drill. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
The 1st Louisiana Infantry Company E runs a drill. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
The 1st Louisiana Infantry Company E runs a drill. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village
An address from the president
Lee Williams as President Abraham Lincoln delivers a Fireside talk under the shelter, before the battle commences. After, he recited the Gettysburg Address, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
The American Brass Band plays at the Jackson County Fairgrounds during Muster at the Maquoketa 2025. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
The American Brass Band plays at the Jackson County Fairgrounds during Muster at the Maquoketa 2025. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Lee Williams as President Abraham Lincoln delivers a fireside talk and prayer before the battle commences. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Lee Williams as President Abraham Lincoln delivers a fireside talk and prayer before the battle commences. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Lee Williams as President Abraham Lincoln delivers a fireside talk and prayer before the battle commences. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Lee Williams as President Abraham Lincoln delivers a fireside talk and prayer before the battle commences. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Lee Williams as President Abraham Lincoln delivers a fireside talk and prayer before the battle commences. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Lee Williams as President Abraham Lincoln delivers a fireside talk and prayer before the battle commences. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Lee Williams as President Abraham Lincoln delivers a fireside talk and prayer before the battle commences. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Don Hillman delivers a speech as surrendering Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Don Hillman delivers a speech as surrendering Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Bruce Kindig (dressed as a Zouaves officer with the Union Army) and Don Hillman (depicting Robert E. Lee) relax in the shade. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village
The theater of war
Col Albert Smith Marks serves as battle narrator. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Col Albert Smith Marks serves as battle narrator. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
The battle reenactment commences. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
The battle reenactment commences. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
The Muster on the Maquoketa crowd watches the battle. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Union soldiers take cover. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Union soldiers take cover. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
The 1st LA Infantry Company E fires upon the Union Brigade. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
A pair of period-dressed onlookers watch the battle. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Union soldiers take cover. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
Union soldiers take cover. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
The 1st LA Infantry Company E fires upon the Union Brigade. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
President Lincoln watches the battle. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village 
President Lincoln watches the battle. — Kevin Richard Schafer/Little Village
