Zearing Iowa Event 2026 Photos: G.C. Stevens

 

ARMY OF THE SOUTHWEST

Zearing Iowa Event 2026

Unless otherwise stated, all photos are by the author/Photographer

G.C. Stevens

Photo by Elaine Fargo

Civil War Reenactment 2026; Zearing Days Iowa By G.C. Stevens

 

ARMY OF THE SOUTHWEST

Event Report 

Zearing Iowa 

July 25th 2026

I'm really proud to be a member of the Army of The Southwest. The people of ASW bring their hearts and knowledge along to every event. We not only share our experiences and knowledge with the public, but we share that knowledge with each other as well, which makes us a stronger living history group.                                    

We had smaller and tighter area to set up camp this year at Zearing, but we made it work, and we had some really great displays, which is one of the hallmarks of the ASW. Our displays always generate a lot of good discussion with the public. 

All photos by the author

Members of the ASW, mounted up for

 the Zearing days Parade

19th Century mode of transportation came by 

camp at fairly fast trot!

Dept: Artillery, display

Dept: Unit Photographers Camp

Dept; Medical: Medical Demonstration

 

Photograph Investigation, Civil War Veteran: Edgar L. Sweet by G.C. Stevens

 

Large Cabinet Card (4x6 inch)

Edgar L. Sweet: Find a Grave

From Find a Grave:

Civil War Veteran who used this alias during his service:

Edgar L Winsor

Residence:

Age at Enlistment: 18

Enlistment Date: 1 Oct 1864

Rank at enlistment: Private

State Served: Iowa

Survived the War?: Yes

Service Record: Enlisted in Company A, Iowa 1st Cavalry Regiment on 17 Oct 1864.Mustered out on 17 Oct 1865 at Hempstead, TX.

Birth Date: abt 1846

This was photo was a very nice find and the I was very pleased to add to my collection. The photo appeared on ebay, but unlike most photos there, the listing included historic resources to show the provenance. The photo was very unique because someone had not only penciled in the name Edgar Sweet (aka) Edgar L. Winsor, they also wrote a short bio on the back of the photo. Edgar's name appears in the civil war military record, with some additional proof that he used both names. It's a bit of a mystery as to why he used an alias, I suspect that may he did this because of his age when he enlisted in the union army. He had just turned eighteen years old when he signed up for the 1st Iowa cavalry.

                                      

                    

Additional 

Supporting Documents

DUSTY TRAILS OF THE OLD WEST BOOKS

250 YEARS OF AMERICAN HISTORY