Although she doesn't consider herself an authority on the Civil War, Iowa State University faculty member Jane Cox thought she knew quite a bit about the American Civil War.
That was until she started to write a new play based on Iowa's participation in the epic struggle.
"I can't remember a time when the Civil War wasn't fascinating to me and I thought I knew a far amount about the conflict but it turns out I didn't," Cox says. "But I'm still have tons of books both in my office and at home that I continue to use to research the subject."
That research wound up being in "Love and Honor," the original production that ISU Theatre will premiere in late February and early March in Fisher Theater.
"Love and Honor" follows four young men from Iowa who volunteer for a period of three years to protect and preserve the Union during the Civil War. Two are brothers, one is a young married father, and one, a young farmer, who is engaged to be married.
The four struggle with boredom and loneliness as well as the terrors of Shiloh, Vicksburg, Andersonville and Sherman's March to the Sea. Cox based her script on letters, diaries and narratives of the time period of men who made the vow to serve and defend their families and their young country.
Cox choose to place the four soldiers in the 2nd Iowa division - primarily because it was a storied outfit during the Civil War and there is lots of published works on that unit. The first act ends with the four soldiers coming together at the bloody battle of Shiloh.
"Much of the action that takes place in the play is based on true stories of what happened in Iowa," Cox says. "While I would characterize the play as a drama, there are several funny things that happen as well."
The play also looks at how the soldiers dealt with the inevitable boredom that came their way during the war.
"If you talk to World War II veterans they speak of the long stretches of boredom they had while in the service," Cox said. "I've included some of those boring parts but hopefully ‘Love and Honor' won't be boring but will however show what the war experience was really like."
"Love and Honor" also deals with life back in Iowa while the war is ongoing.
"These characters give a perspective of what was happening in Iowa," Cox said.
The roles of the soldiers are portrayed by Don Watts, Robert Baker, Kyle Phillips and Phillip Schmidt. Other roles are played by Janae Hohbein, Margaux Mireault and Kelly Teitsworth.
"Love and Honor will be performed Feb. 29, March 1, 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 2 and 9. Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and $7 for students and children and are available at the Iowa State Center Ticket office at 515-294-2479.
