civilian deaths civil war

I don't know if the Napoleonic Wars offer a useful guide to CW casualities, although I'm not an expert. The Napoleonic Wars lasted a lot longer for one thing, and in Spain and Russia, the civilian population was deliberately targeted by the French military, and in Spain, the guerilla war was more sustained and wide spread, compared to Missouri, the longest and most brutal guerilla warfare in the Civil War.

Civilian is a very generalized term and a huge umbrella.

Other than recording what civilians came through military hospitals/field hospitals, it would be difficult to really have a count, especially when sickness followed the armies around, conditions and such.

Here are just a few examples from the Military Medical Histories from the Civil War, Surgeon-General's Offices of the time:

CASE 829.--Willis Marshall, contraband; age 16; admitted from Chattanooga September 4, 1864. Chronic Diarrhoea. Died, September 5th. Autopsy the same day: The right lung was stuffed with tubercles and entirely disorganized; it was strongly adherent to the thoracic parietes. The left lung contained numerous isolated tubercular deposits. The pericardium contained eight ounces of serum. In the liver and spleen there were a number of small tubercular masses. The kidneys and intestines were apparently normal. The abdominal cavity contained twenty ounces of serum.
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Medical/Surgical History--Part II, Volume I
Class I.--Zymotic Diseases.--Chapter I.--Diarrhoea And Dysentery.
Section III.--Fatal Cases Of Diarrhoea And Dysentery, With Accounts
Of The Morbid Appearances Observed.
CASE 864.--John Thomas; dark mulatto; age 13; admitted January 22, 1866, with feet and legs frost-bitten to the knees. Stimulating liniments were applied and stimulants given internally; generous diet. January 28th: Mortification of the left leg has taken place, with line of demarcation half way to the knee. Amputation was performed, by Acting Assistant Surgeon A. R. Abbott, at the upper third of the left leg. The toes of the right foot sloughed off; the bones were removed by nippers. January 29th: Symptoms of jaundice. To take dilute nitric acid and fluid extract of gentian. February 23d: Symptoms of tuberculosis. Cough-mixture, milk-punch and extra diet. Died, March 28th. Autopsy ten hours after death: Height four feet six inches; weight about fifty pounds; much emaciation; rigor morris well marked. The left leg exhibited a stump a few inches below the knee; all except the first phalanges of the toes of the right foot are wanting. The head was not examined. The right lung weighed twenty-four ounces; its lower lobe was firmly adherent to the pleura costalis and the diaphragm; all the lobes were firmly interadherent and contained large masses of crude tubercles; in the anterior portion of the lower lobe there was a mass of tubercle containing a cavity the size of a walnut; the posterior portion was hepatized; the left lung weighed ten ounces, was slightly adherent to the pleura costalis, and contained many tubercles; there was no fluid in the pleural cavities. The pleura costalis was dotted with numerous deposits of tubercles. The bronchial glands were much enlarged and filled with tubercles. The pericardium contained four ounces of fluid. The heart was fatty and weighed five ounces; all its cavities contained white fibrinous clots; the endocardium was thickened; there was a large deposit of adipose tissue on the surface of the organ. The liver was firmly adherent to the diaphragm, coated with lymph superiorly, and filled with tubercles; it weighed thirty-three ounces. The spleen was large and weighed seven ounces and a half; it was firmly and a half; it was apparently normal. The stomach was contracted, its mucous membrane thickened. There were tubercular ulcers throughout the small intestine, particularly in the lower portion of the ileum, where Peyer's patches were ulcerated through to the peritoneal coat. The caecum and upper portion of the large intestine exhibited healed ulcers; the rectum contain&l a number of large ulcers which were cow?red with pseudomembrane. The kidneys were congested and weighed three ounces and a halt each. The bladder and genital organs were normal.--Hospital Steward Samuel S. Bond. [Nos. 771 to 773, Medical Section, Army Medical Museum, are from this case. No. 771 is a portion of the small intestine from just above the ileo-caecal valve, showing tubercular ulceration of the last Peyer's patch and of several of the solitary follicles. There are a few small tubercles on the peritoneal surface corresponding to the ulcers. No. 772 is a portion of the rectum, with patches of superficial ulceration coated with thick pseudomembrane. No. 773 is the right lung of the same patient, infiltrated with large cheesy masses of yellow tubercles.]

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Medical/Surgical History--Part III, Volume I
Chap. IX.--On Diseases Attributed To Non-Miasmatic Exposures.
I.--Diseases Of The Respiratory Organs.
IX.--Pneumonia.
CASE 147.--Richard Bush, colored; age 13; admitted May 27, 1864, with pneumonia. Died July 18. Post-mortem examination: Both lungs were extensively adherent and appeared to be in the third stage of pneumonia, presenting also tubercular deposits, especially in the upper lobes. A gallon of serum was found in the chest and abdomen.--Hospital, Alexandria, Va.
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Medical/Surgical History--Part II, Volume I
Class I.--Zymotic Diseases.--Chapter I.--Diarrhoea And Dysentery.
Section III.--Fatal Cases Of Diarrhoea And Dysentery, With Accounts
Of The Morbid Appearances Observed.
CASE 863.--Frank Williams; dark mulatto; age 14; admitted May 24, 1865, suffering from scrofulous ophthalmia. Symptoms of phthisis pulmonalis were first noticed about the middle of October. There was marked dulness on percussion on the left side beneath the clavicle and over the second, third and fourth ribs; expectoration very copious during the last four weeks; haemorrhage occurred very profusely for the first time, February 4, 1866, about 5 P.M. The boy died in three or four minutes. Treatment: Cod-liver oil, whiskey, nourishing diet, milk-punch, etc. His Diarrhoea was not troublesome except during the two or three days preceding death. Autopsy twenty-two hours after death: Body well formed; height four feet nine inches; some emaciation; rigor mortis well marked; weight about 80 pounds. The brain weighed forty-four ounces; its membranes were congested, its substance firm; there were two ounces of fluid in the posterior fossae of the cranium. The right lung was firmly adherent to the pleura costalis, filled with crude tubercles and vomicae, and weighed fifteen ounces; there were three ounces of fluid in the right pleural cavity in the left lung was firmly adherent at all points, its lobes interadherent; it weighed twenty-three ounces; in the upper lobe of the left lung was a large vomica the size of a goose egg, which was filled with coagulated blood; tubercles and smaller vomicae were scattered throughout the lungs. The left pleural cavity contained an ounce of fluid. The bronchial glands were very much enlarged. The heart was small, slightly fatty, and weighed five ounces; all its valves were thickened. The pericardium contained eight ounces of fluid. The liver weighed forty-one ounces, was adherent at all points, its anterior surface coated with lymph; on section it was found to be very fatty and congested, presenting the nutmeg appearance, and contained some tubercles. The spleen weighed four ounces, was adherent at all points, and filled with tubercles. The pancreas and kidneys were normal; the latter weighed three ounces each. The mesenteric glands were very much enlarged. The stomach was normal. Two large tubercular ulcers were found in the ileum near the ileo-caecal valve. The rest of the small intestine was normal. In the caecum a few of the solitary follicles were enlarged. A large tubercular ulcer, involving the mucous and muscular coats, was found in the ascending colon; on the peritoneal surface opposite this ulcer there were numerous minute tubercles; a similar but much larger ulcer was found in the transverse colon; with these exceptions the large intestine was normal. The abdominal cavity was filled with serum, and the intestines were slightly adherent to the abdominal peritoneum. The large intestine was three feet and a half long, the small intestine nineteen feet. The urino-genital organs appeared healthy.--Hospital Steward Samuel S. Bond. [Nos. 720 and 721, Medical Station, Army Medical Museum, are from this case. No. 720 is a portion of the transverse colon, showing a number of minute follicular ulcers; near the middle of the piece is a largo tubercular ulcer running obliquely to the axis of the gut. On the peritoneal surface opposite the nicer are a considerable number of minute tubercles; a few others are scattered on other portions of the peritoneal surface. No. 721 is a portion of the omentum containing a large number of minute tubercles.]
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continued

Medical/Surgical History--Part III, Volume I
Chap. IX.--On Diseases Attributed To Non-Miasmatic Exposures.
I.--Diseases Of The Respiratory Organs.
IX.--Pneumonia.
CASE 75.--Isaac Williamson, Government employé; age 14; was admitted Oct. 26, 1864, with the eruption of measles well out, and affected with whooping-cough which had troubled him for some months. Broncho-pneumonia set in, and death occurred November 5. Post-mortem examination: The brain was healthy. The right lung was hep-atized throughout, passing into the gray stage in the apex; the lower third of the left lung also was hepatized; the bronchial tubes were inflamed and choked with bloody sputa. The heart and abdominal viscera were healthy.--Hospital No. 8, Nashville, Tenn.
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Medical/Surgical History--Part II, Volume I
Class I.--Zymotic Diseases.--Chapter I.--Diarrhoea And Dysentery.
Section III.--Fatal Cases Of Diarrhoea And Dysentery, With Accounts
Of The Morbid Appearances Observed.
The next twenty cases are from the case-book of the GENERAL FIELD HOSPITAL, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Assistant Surgeon Charles C. Byrne, U. S. V., in charge:
CASE 822.--Emmanuel Tucker, contraband; age 15; admitted from the field July 18, 1864. Chronic diarrhoea. Died, August 27th. Autopsy the same day: The right lung was normal. The whole of the upper lobe and portions of the lower lobe of the left lung were hepatized. The heart, spleen and kidneys were normal. The liver contained a number of small abscesses about a quarter of an inch in diameter. No evidences of disease were discovered in the intestines.
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Medical/Surgical History--Part II, Volume I
Class I.--Zymotic Diseases.--Chapter I.--Diarrhoea And Dysentery.
Section III.--Fatal Cases Of Diarrhoea And Dysentery, With Accounts
Of The Morbid Appearances Observed.
CASE 745.---Samuel K. Smith, citizen, Maury County, Tennessee, (rebel age 57; admitted from prison hospital January 4, 1864. Rheumatism. Died, January 29th, of chronic dysentery. Autopsy twenty homes after death: Body moderately emaciated. There were tolerably strong pleuritic adhesions on both sides. The posterior portion of the middle and lower lobes of the right lung was in the stage of red hepatization; the posterior portion of the loft lung was in the stage of gray hepatization. The heart weighed nine ounces and a half; its valves were slightly thickened. The liver was fatty; it weighed three pounds eleven ounces, and was very yellow and soft. The spleen weighed three ounces and a half and contained a few small calcareous deposits. The kidneys were healthy; the right weighed three ounces, the left three, and a half. The stomach was slightly inflamed. The small intestine contained four lumbricoid worms which averaged ten inches in length. In the large intestine there were numerous large ulcers.
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Medical/Surgical History--Part III, Volume I
Chap. IX.--On Diseases Attributed To Non-Miasmatic Exposures.
I.--Diseases Of The Respiratory Organs.
IX.--Pneumonia.
CASE 57.--J. H. Mathews, Government employé; age 58; was admitted March 30, 1864, with measles, the eruption just appearing. Next day the patient was quite hoarse and had cough with mucous expectoration; the eruption was well marked. He became nostalgic on the 8th, his cough troublesome, expectoration muco-purulent, pulse frequent and feeble and tongue clean and red. Next day the tongue was dry and brown, and there was a good deal of febrile excitement with diarrhœa. Death took place on the 13th. Post-mortem examination: The cerebral membranes were congested and contained a slight effusion, but the ventricles were empty. The right pleural cavity contained fourteen ounces of sero-fibrinous liquid; the right lung was congested generally and hepatized in its upper lobe; the parenchyma of the left lung was healthy; the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes was congested and thickened. The heart was normal. The mucous membrane of the colon was congested; the other abdominal viscera normal.--Surgeon Francis Salter, U. S. Vols., Chattanooga Hospital, Tenn.
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Medical/Surgical History--Part II, Volume I
Class I.--Zymotic Diseases.--Chapter I.--Diarrhoea And Dysentery.
Section II.--Reports And Extracts From Reports Relating To
Diarrhoea And Dysentery.
Fatal Cases.
CASE 76.--John G. Jones, citizen of Georgia; age 60; admitted June 4, 1864. Chronic Diarrhoea. The patient was much debilitated and his ]eft hand was paralyzed. The passages averaged one to the hour; the abdomen was painful, no appetite. There is no record of his treatment until he was put upon the solution of bromine in September. September 29th: Is very. weak; the flux continues unchecked. September 30th: the passages are small and bloody; complains of sick stomach. Died October 1st. No autopsy. Acting Assistant Surgeon H. F. Gilbert.
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Medical/Surgical History--Part II, Volume I
Class I.--Zymotic Diseases.--Chapter I.--Diarrhoea And Dysentery.
Section III.--Fatal Cases Of Diarrhoea And Dysentery, With Accounts
Of The Morbid Appearances Observed.
CASE 746.--Joseph B. Bean, citizen, Catoosa County, Georgia, (rebel age 65; admitted from Provost Marshal January 10, 1864. Dysentery. Died, January 29th. Autopsy twenty hours after death: Body moderately emaciated. There were strong pleuritic adhesions on the left side posteriorly. The lower lobe and posterior portion of the upper lobe of the left lung were in the stage of red hepatization. The heart weighed nine ounces and a half. The aortic semilunar valves were calcareous, and the arteries of the body were everywhere atheromatous and calcareous. The liver was fatty and weighed throe pounds. The spleen weighed six ounces. The kidneys weighed four ounces each. In the large intestine there were numerous small ulcers. --Surgeon C. W. Homer, U. S. V. [Nos. 310 to 312, Medical Section, Army Medical Museum, are from this case. No. 310 is the heart laid open to expose the valves. The aortic valves are the seat of calcareous deposits, and there are calcareous atheromatous patches in the aorta just above the valves. The other vessels are healthy. No. 311 is the arch and a part of the descending aorta, presenting numerous atheromatous patches with calcareous deposits in many places. No. 312 is the lower part of the descending aorta with a part of the common iliacs. In this part of the vessel the atheromatous disease is present in a higher degree, and fibrinous clots, derived from the blood, adhere to many of the roughened patches.]
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Medical/Surgical History--Part III, Volume I
Chap. IX.--On Diseases Attributed To Non-Miasmatic Exposures.
I.--Diseases Of The Respiratory Organs.
IX.--Pneumonia.
CASE 21.--Samuel Bingham; citizen of Georgia; rebel prisoner; age 66; admitted Feb. 26, 1864, with pulmonary emphysema. Died March 16. Post-mortem examination: A quart of serum in each pleural cavity; lower lobe of right lung collapsed and covered with lymph; bronchitis on both sides. Ossific deposits in mitral valve. Liver sixty-one ounces, fatty; spleen six Ounces and a half, soft; kidneys normal.--Hospital No. 1, Nashville, Tenn.
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I suspect someone would have to go through the entire records recorded by the Union Medical/Surgery Corps. This won't include the Confederate Military/Surgery history; any town, city or state private doctors/surgeons who treated individuals either on contract with the military or private practice.

Hope this only information I have is useful.

M. E. Wolf

Karen Lips, ma'am;

I bumped the "Southern Civilian Deaths" ...

You should be able to see it in this category of Forums ma'am.

M. E. Wolf

I believe that was a thread on Sherman's march and the statement was found to be without any supporting evidence..Supposedly 50,000 civilians starved because Shermans men ate all the food in the area or something like that..There was also another thread that described the deaths of thousands of escaped slaves in camps, but I don't remember which way the evidence pointed as to its truthfulness..