U.S. Civil War Took Bigger Toll Than Previously Estimated

Science Daily ^ | 11/21/2012 | Science Daily

[U-238]

The Civil War -- already considered the deadliest conflict in American history -- in fact took a toll far more severe than previously estimated. That's what a new analysis of census data by Binghamton University historian J. David Hacker reveals.

Hacker says the war's dead numbered about 750,000, an estimate that's 20 percent higher than the commonly cited figure of 620,000. His findings will be published in December in the journal Civil War History.

"The traditional estimate has become iconic," Hacker says. "It's been quoted for the last hundred years or more. If you go with that total for a minute -- 620,000 -- the number of men dying in the Civil War is more than in all other American wars from the American Revolution through the Korean War combined. And consider that the American population in 1860 was about 31 million people, about one-tenth the size it is today. If the war were fought today, the number of deaths would total 6.2 million."

The 620,000 estimate, though widely cited, is also widely understood to be flawed. Neither the Union nor the Confederacy kept standardized personnel records. And the traditional estimate of Confederate war dead -- 258,000 -- was based on incomplete battle reports and a crude guess of deaths from disease and other non-combat causes. Although it is impossible to catalogue the fate of each of the 3 million or more men who fought in the war from 1861-65, some researchers have tried to re-count deaths in selected companies, regiments and areas. But Hacker says these attempts at a direct count will always miss people and therefore always underestimate deaths.

"There are also huge problems estimating mortality with census data," Hacker explains.

[U-238]

Its an error. I do not sweat of the small stuff like others.

[U-238]

Remember, The Army of the Potomac went through 7 generals before ending up with Grant.The Army of Northern Virginia had one general under the command of Robert E Lee. The Army of Northern Virginia was divided into three districts: Aquia District,Potomac District and Valley District.The first commander of the Army of Northern Virginia was General P.G.T. Beauregard from June 20 to July 20, 1861.

Confederate Command Structure

[Pelham]

“He’s thinking of Longstreet”

I suspect that he may be thinking of Hood, who commanded a division under Longstreet.

Hood repeatedly asked Longstreet to let him swing around Big Round Top and strike the Union left flank from the rear but Longstreet refused him, citing Lee’s orders.

[fortheDeclaration]

Thank you for that information.

[AFret.]

“Perhaps, but he is also remembered as forcing the frontal assault,(Pickett’s Charge) on the third day of Gettysburg.
Jackson wanted to flank..Lee said no.”

Not sure what general you are thinking of, but Jackson had been killed at Chancellorsville two months before Gettysburg.

---

You are correct, my mistake. James Longstreet was, against his better judgment directed to mount a frontal assault..with predictable results.

[SunkenCiv]

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Thanks U-238. U.S. Civil War Took Bigger Toll Than Previously Estimated 'Who, What, Why: How many soldiers died in the US Civil War?' New analysis suggests Civil War took bigger toll than previously estimated Just adding to the catalog, not sending a general distribution. To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list.