Civil War
Casualties and Costs of the Civil War
Interpreting Statistics
Troops Available for Duty (January 1) Union Confederacy 1862 527,204 209,852 1863 698,808 253,208 1864 611,250 233,586 1865 620,924 154,910
Questions To Think About
1. Why did troop strength peak in 1863?
2. Do you think that the differences in troop strength were responsible for the war's outcome?
Interpreting Statistics
Deaths During the Civil War Union Confederacy Total forces 1,556,678 1,082,119 Deaths from Wounds 110,070 94,000 Deaths from Disease 249,458 164,000 Death Rate 23 percent 24 percent Wounded 275,175 100,000
Deaths in American Wars Civil War 618,000 World War II 405,000 World War I 112,000 Vietnam War 58,000 Korean War 54,000 Mexican War 13,000 Revolution 4,000 Spanish-American War 2,000 War of 1812 2,000
Civil War Troops Union Confederacy 1862 527,204 209,852 1863 698,808 253,208 1864 611,250 233,586 1865 620,924 154,910 Total Forces 1,556,678 1,082,119
Civil War Casualties Union Confederacy Death from wounds 110,070 94,000 Death from disease 249,458 164,000 Total death rate 23 percent 24 percent Wounded 275,175 100,000 (approx.)
Cost of U.S. Wars
Wartime Costs
Veterans'
Benefits
Interest
Payments
(in millions) American Revolution $100-140 $28 $20 War of 1812 $87 $20 $14 Mexican War $82 $26 $10 Civil War (Union only) $2,300 $3,289 $1,200 Spanish-American $270 $2,111 $60 World War I $23,700 $13,856 $11,100 World War II $260,000 $65,231 $200,000 Korea $50,000 $11,391 Vietnam $140,600 $13,173
Questions To Think About
1. How does the cost of the Civil War--in casualties and expense--compare to the cost of other American wars?
2. Why do you think that the Civil War was so lethal?