10 Intriguing Facts about the American Civil War

The American Civil War resulted in more American deaths than any other war: With an estimated 620,000 to 750,000 deaths, the American Civil War remains the deadliest conflict in U.S. history, surpassing the combined death toll of both World War I and World War II.

The cause of the Civil War was rooted in slavery and states' rights: While many factors contributed to the outbreak of the American Civil War, the primary issues were the institution of slavery and disagreements over states' rights versus federal authority. The election of President Abraham Lincoln, who opposed the spread of slavery into new territories, was the tipping point that led to the secession of Southern states.

The first shots of the Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter: The Civil War officially began on April 12, 1861, when Confederate forces attacked Union-held Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. The bombardment lasted for 34 hours, and while there were no casualties during the attack, two Union soldiers were killed during the evacuation.

The Emancipation Proclamation changed the focus of the war: President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were to be set free. While it did not immediately free all slaves, it shifted the focus of the war from preserving the Union to the abolition of slavery.

Over 180,000 African American soldiers fought for the Union: Once the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, African Americans were allowed to join the Union Army. Approximately 180,000 African American soldiers served in the Union forces, and 40,000 lost their lives during the war.

The Battle of Gettysburg was the deadliest battle of the Civil War: The Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1 to 3, 1863, resulted in an estimated 51,000 total casualties, making it the deadliest battle of the war. The Union victory at Gettysburg marked a turning point in the conflict, as it halted the Confederate advance into the North.

Women disguised themselves as men to fight in the war: It is estimated that between 400 and 1,000 women disguised themselves as men to fight in the Civil War. These women, often called "female soldiers," fought alongside their male counterparts and managed to keep their identities hidden.

The Civil War led to major medical advancements: The high number of casualties during the Civil War led to significant advancements in medicine, including the establishment of the first ambulance corps, widespread use of anesthesia during surgery, and the creation of a system for identifying and cataloging the dead and wounded.

The Civil War ended at Appomattox Court House: On April 9, 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War. The surrender took place in the parlor of the McLean House, with both generals showing mutual respect and professionalism.

The assassination of Abraham Lincoln occurred shortly after the war's end: Just five days after General Lee's surrender at Appomattox, President Lincoln was assassinated by Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. Lincoln's assassination marked the first time a sitting U.S. president had been killed.