1. Inadequate Medical Care: The level of medical care available during the Civil War was limited, and treating the large numbers of wounded soldiers placed a strain on the abilities and resources of medical personnel. Many surgeons lacked proper training, supplies were often scarce, and hospital conditions were frequently overcrowded, unsanitary, and infected with diseases. As a result, infection rates were high, and many wounded soldiers died from preventable causes.
2. Infection: The most significant danger faced by wounded soldiers was infection. This was due to the lack of knowledge about germ theory at the time, which resulted in unsterile instruments, surgical procedures, and hospital conditions. Infections such as gangrene, tetanus, and typhoid fever were common and could lead to death or to amputation of limbs.
3. Amputations: Due to the lack of antibiotics, amputation was often necessary to prevent the spread of infection in injured limbs. Amputation rates during the Civil War were incredibly high, with an estimated 61,000 soldiers undergoing amputations.
4. Disease: Soldiers were also susceptible to various diseases, including smallpox, measles, dysentery, and yellow fever. These diseases spread rapidly in the crowded and unsanitary conditions of military camps, with limited access to clean food, water, and proper sanitation.
5. Harsh Prison Conditions: Captured soldiers were often held in harsh and overcrowded prison camps, where they faced inadequate shelter, food, and sanitation. Diseases were rampant, and prisoners were vulnerable to abuse and torture. Well-known examples of these prisons included Andersonville and Libby Prisons.
6. Poor Nutrition: Due to supply chain issues and shortages, soldiers, both wounded and uninjured, often faced difficulties in obtaining sufficient and nutritious food. Malnutrition made them more susceptible to disease and infection, further complicating their recovery and rehabilitation.
7. Long-Term Disabilities: Many soldiers who survived their wounds or illnesses were left with long-term disabilities, such as amputations, impaired mobility, or chronic pain. These disabilities not only affected their physical abilities but also had significant psychological and social consequences, impacting their ability to return to civilian life and earn a living.