The American Civil War, a pivotal era in U.S. history, holds many stories beyond the widely known narratives. While frequently studied, several intriguing aspects remain largely obscure. Let’s explore ten often-overlooked facts about this transformative conflict.
The individuals involved in the Civil War were complex, driven by motives more nuanced than initially perceived, and their actions, more intricate than commonly portrayed. This list highlights lesser-known yet significant realities of the war and its participants.
Disease Took Most Lives
The Civil War was the deadliest conflict in American history, but disease, not battlefield injuries, was the primary cause of death. Over 600,000 soldiers died in the four-year war, surpassing the combined casualties of several other major U.S. wars. Disease accounted for a significant portion of these fatalities. Close quarters in poorly ventilated tents facilitated the spread of contagious diseases like mumps, chickenpox, and measles. Malaria alone affected one million Union soldiers. Epidemics were common and deadly in military camps. [1]
Tecumseh’s Terrible Tirades
General William Tecumseh Sherman, a prominent Union figure, almost faced demotion due to perceived mental instability. In 1861, while leading Union forces in Kentucky, Sherman requested 60,000 soldiers for defense and 200,000 for an offensive.
Secretary of War Simon Cameron deemed his request “crazy” and relieved Sherman of his command. Sherman, devastated, contemplated suicide but was dissuaded by concern for his children. However, Ulysses S. Grant recognized Sherman’s capabilities and gave him a new assignment in Kentucky in February 1862.
Later, Sherman defended Grant against criticism, stating, “General Grant is a great general. He stood by me when I was crazy, and I stood by him when he was drunk; and now, sir, we stand by each other always.”[2]
General Gloom and Doom
During the Civil War, generals were at a higher risk of death than privates. Unlike modern warfare, top officers often led troops into battle, making them 50% more likely to die in combat. Confederate General Robert E. Lee, for example, was once held back by his troops during the Battle of the Wilderness, who feared he would become a target.
The Battle of Antietam was particularly devastating, with three generals killed and six seriously wounded. Confederate General James Longstreet was accidentally shot by his own men at the Battle of the Wilderness but survived. The hands-on approach of generals during this era was far more perilous than might be expected. [3]
Abe’s Almost-Assassination
Abraham Lincoln narrowly escaped death in the summer of 1864, years before his eventual assassination. After a long day at the White House, Lincoln was traveling alone to the Soldiers’ Home when a gunshot rang out. His horse bolted, and Lincoln arrived at the compound hatless.
His hat was later found with a bullet hole. Lincoln, wanting to protect his wife from further distress, requested the incident be kept quiet. It’s chilling to consider how different history might have been had the bullet been aimed slightly lower. [4]
Lee’s Esteemed Estate
During the Civil War, Robert E. Lee’s Virginia estate, Arlington, was seized by the Union Army. Overlooking Washington, D.C., it was strategically important. In 1863, the U.S. government officially took control, citing unpaid taxes of $92.07 and transformed it into a cemetery.
President Lincoln approved the cemetery to honor Union soldiers, placing a burial vault in the estate’s rose garden, intending for Lee to see the consequences of his actions. After the war, the Lee family initially considered reclaiming Arlington.
In 1877, George Washington Custis Lee, their eldest son, sued the federal government, arguing the confiscation was unlawful. The Supreme Court ruled in his favor, returning the property. However, with the remains of fallen soldiers on the land, the Lee family sold Arlington back to the government for $150,000. It has since become Arlington National Cemetery, the final resting place for approximately 250,000 soldiers. [5]
Tubman’s Raid
Harriet Tubman, known for escaping slavery and guiding others on the Underground Railroad, undertook another vital mission during the Civil War. In 1862, she arrived at the Union camp in Port Royal, South Carolina, and dedicated herself to the Northern cause. She taught freed women skills for employment with the Union Army and gathered information from freed Blacks, conducting reconnaissance trips.
On June 1, 1863, Tubman and Union Colonel James Montgomery led 300 Black Union soldiers into Confederate territory at Combahee Ferry. They set plantations ablaze, freed slaves, and Tubman later recalled the sight of freed people reminded her of the Israelites fleeing Egypt.
Over 720 slaves were liberated during this mission, marking the first instance of a woman leading such a military operation. Tubman’s success further solidified her legacy and made her a feared figure among Confederates. [6]
Lincoln’s Plans for Freed Slaves
Abraham Lincoln advocated for the “colonization” of freed Black people, sending them out of the country, a policy supported by figures like Thomas Jefferson and Harriet Beecher Stowe. In August 1862, Lincoln invited Black ministers and anti-slavery speakers to the White House.
He expressed his belief that separation would benefit both sides and proposed sending freed Blacks to Central America, even suggesting a constitutional amendment to finance colonization.
However, abolitionists like Frederick Douglass opposed this idea, and Lincoln failed to gain sufficient political support. After the Emancipation Proclamation, he never publicly mentioned colonization again. [7]
No Pay, No Fight
Black Union soldiers protested unequal wages during the Civil War. White soldiers earned at least $13 per month, while Black soldiers earned only $10, further reduced to $7 after a $3 clothing fee. Black regiments refused to accept these lower wages, threatening to stop fighting.
Their bravery and pressure from abolitionist congressmen led Congress to address the issue. In the fall of 1864, Black soldiers finally received equal pay and back pay retroactive to their enlistment. This allowed them to support their families and kept vital soldiers fighting for the Union. [8]
Lee’s Brutal Ways
Despite the common perception that Ulysses S. Grant caused the most bloodshed, Robert E. Lee’s army endured worse fates relative to its size. Grant’s Overland Campaign in 1864 saw terrible losses, leading Mary Lincoln to call him a “butcher,” but Lee’s aggressive attacks resulted in major victories and significant troop losses.
Lee’s fondness for these attacks at all times led to major southern victories like Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg, but it also resulted in major defeats and unfathomable troop losses. His depleted armies felt the toll of constant death even more so than Grant’s faction. [9]
Soldiers from All Over
The Union Army was remarkably diverse. Immigrants comprised about one-third of the soldiers, and African Americans made up nearly one in ten, creating an early multicultural force. Irish and German soldiers were prominent, with the latter forming regiments like the Steuben Volunteers. Immigrant soldiers also came from France, Italy, Poland, England, Scotland, and Wales.
About 25% of the Union’s battalions were majority-immigrant. In 1863, Black men were allowed to enlist, potentially impacting the war’s outcome. The Union Army was a diverse mix of immigrants and Black men, contributing to the cause from various backgrounds. [10]
These lesser-known aspects of the Civil War reveal the complexities and human stories often overshadowed by broader historical narratives. From disease-stricken camps to the courageous acts of individuals like Harriet Tubman, these stories enrich our understanding of this pivotal period.
What surprised you most about these Civil War facts? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
