The click of a rifle could mean victory or defeat for not only a soldier but his army, his wife and his children. About 620,000 soldiers lost their lives while serving in the Civil War and 620,000 soldiers’ families were left without warning.

“Love and Honor: Iowa in the Civil War” will perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 and 28 and March 6 and 7, and at 2 p.m. March 1 and 8 in Fisher Theater.

Four men pursue roles that could only bless them with nightmares, while 150 years ago men would be shaking with nerves, anticipating their next kill.

“Each [actor] is specific to the regiments that person was in and the things they expressed are actually things that happened to Iowa men who enlisted and with each of the four men, we tried to give a different reason why they joined,” said Jane Cox, director and professor of theater.

Alex, played by Keegon Jackson, sophomore in performing arts, joins to fight slavery. During the play, he writes to his sweetheart.

John, played by Michael Clinkscales, junior in psychology, joins because his grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War and wants the Union to stay together. John left his wife and baby girl, Molly, to fight.

Tom, played by Alexander Criswell, junior in aerospace engineering, goes for excitement and adventure. His mother told him not to because he was too young, but his facial hair made him look older, so he enlisted.

“I’m an only child, so it’s been interesting getting the whole dynamic of being a younger brother down because I’ve never really had that relationship with anybody,” Criswell said.

Tom’s older brother, James, played by Brady Carnahan, junior in communication studies, goes so he can get it over with, and then go home and work on the farm because that is what he loves. Throughout the play, James is constantly protecting Tom while in battle.

“The play is based on journals and letters various civil war soldiers, all from Iowa, send to their wives, sweethearts and mothers, and the characters are all fictitious. For example, John is in the second Iowan and what he did matches what the second Iowan did and where they were and the experiences they went through,” Cox said.

Pure sadness is expressed between the soldiers and their families when writing to each other, their only way of communication. Absolute devotion to the cause of the war is what helped the soldiers finish their enlistment of four years in order to feel their families in their arms instead of a dead body.

“Since this April marks the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War and the assassination of President Lincoln, both happened in April, so we thought it would be a good time to do it again,” Cox said.

“Love and Honor: Iowa in the Civil War” will perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 and 28 and March 6 and 7, and at 2 p.m. March 1 and 8 in Fisher Theater. Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and $11 for students. Tickets can be bought at the door, at the Iowa State Center Ticket Office or at www.ticketmaster.com.