What was the common cause of death for soldiers serving in the US Civil War?

Answer 1

AnswerThe leading cause of death in the Civil War was actually diarrhea, due to the complications of diseases contracted from wounds, and their gruesome, and deplorable living conditions.Answer

Men who died of diseases caused by living conditions commonly had dysentery, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, pneumonia, malaria, small pox or measles. Of those who were injured, other infections and gangrene were the major causes of death. Back in those times, there was not as clear an understanding of how diseases were passed from one person to another. Certainly, the conditions that they lived and fought in (fox holes, lack of food and supplies, swamps, etc.) contributed to the high Death Rate.

Answer

Disease in a way. It was really infections due to injuries that caused the most deaths. Due to the filthy field hospitals. Also deaths were caused by dying

Answer 2

Disease caused the greatest amount of deaths during the US Civil War : "More threatening to American soldiers during the war than mortal wounds on the battlefield was the presence of disease and infection, which had the potential to seriously reduce the number of fighters on both sides. Nearly twice as many men died as a result of poor health in camps and hospitals than from wounds inflicted during combat. What did soldiers die from? Afflictions such as diarrhea, malaria, smallpox, typhoid fever, pneumonia, and measles wiped out large numbers of men on both sides of the conflict. The deadly power of disease swept through the ranks because of the incredibly poor conditions in camps, resulting from inadequate shelter, contaminated water supplies, unhealthy diet, and a limited knowledge about proper sanitation and safe hygienic practices. As the war progressed, the Union forces worked especially hard to improve the living conditions of soldiers and patients-death became an urgent public health issue that could be combated with sound, rational decisions about such simple things as clean water, healthy food, and adequate sanitation." ~ excerpt from www.encyclopedia.com

Answer 3

Most of the deaths among soldiers in the US Civil War was the result of diseases. The idea that most soldier deaths were due being killed in battle is not true. However, certainly the wounds that were the result of actual battle, was a major contributing factor to the diseases the ultimately resulted in death.

Answer 4

Most died of infections and disease, often related to wounds sustained in battle.