It is estimated that anywhere between 620,000 to 850,000 soldiers died in America’s Civil War from 1861 to 1865. while the war between North and South is often romanticized or sterilized for the public, the true realities of the war were far more brutal than any of us can fully imagine today.
Pay With Wood or Food
Although the United States Civil War officially began on April 12, 1861, many things were happening earlier that year in preparation for the secession and war.
For example, the St. Cloud Democrat newspaper in Minnesota was allowing people to pay for their newspaper subscriptions with wood or food, and they were not the only businesses asking for wood and food instead of cash. North and South, people were stocking up on items in preparation for either a full out war or some very hard times to come. [1]
Most Fatalities Caused By Disease
While it is commonly believed that many of the men serving the Union and Confederacy died during battle, medical history shows that 66 percent of soldier deaths during the Civil War were caused by disease. This included malaria and chronic diarrhea. [2]
Wagons Full of Parts
After a battle, the injured were pulled from the fields and mud and taken to the makeshift field hospitals. Waiting outside of these hospitals were wagons filled with amputated body parts. There were feet, fingers, hands, legs, and arms waiting to be carted off and dumped.
Claims of Fake News
North, South, and West, newspapers across the U.S. were making wild claims of fake news. In a Mississippi newspaper, American Citizen, the editor claimed that newspapers from the west had a truth problem and were lying about the battles fought.
Some of the newspapers, the Mississippi paper claimed, were outright wrong about the Southerners losing any battles. Meanwhile, Northern newspapers claimed that Southern newspapers were full of nonsense. No one was getting the full story of the war.
Lack of Hand Washing
In 1862, it was reported that water was extremely scarce and that Union doctors would go for two days of performing surgeries and amputations before being able to wash their hands. This meant that disease was quickly and easily passed from patient to patient, greatly reducing the chances of survival. [3]
Gangrene
If an injured soldier survived the amputation of a limb, there was always the risk of dying from gangrene. In fact, gangrene was very common during the Civil War and tents were set up to house the men suffering and dying from the condition.
Unclean Medical Tools and Reused Sponges
Doctors during the time of the American Civil War did not know that they were spreading diseases by not washing their hands. Furthermore, their medical instruments, including the amputation saws, were never disinfected.
Sponges, too, were never disinfected. Between patients, the sponges were squeezed in a basin of unsanitary water to wash out the excess blood and pus. [4]
Maggots
During the summer months, the wounds of soldiers would often become infested with maggots. It was not known by the Civil War doctors that the maggots were beneficial to the wounds, however, many doctors did seem to know that the maggots caused little or no harm to the wounds.
Prostitution Was Rampant
“If the men pursue the enemy as vigorously as they do the whores, they will make very efficient soldiers.” —Private Haydon, 2nd Michigan, 1861.
With the war came the prostitutes. In Richmond, Virginia, prostitution and alcohol were rampant. Washington, D.C. had over 400 brothels. Prostitutes also followed the troops, North and South, and serviced the men whenever there was a need.
Not surprisingly, syphilis and gonorrhea would infect entire units. [5]
