After attending the Civil War reenactments a few weekends ago in Mumford, I have to admit my interest in the Civil War and history. was piqued.

I took several history courses throughout school. In high school, it was global followed by AP European History & AP American History. In college, I took two American history courses, as well as a Canadian history course (which I found quite interesting). I considered adding a minor in history of European countries, but it was late in my college career by that point and would have set me back.

Now, however, I find myself intrigued by history once again. Working at a library, I’m surrounded by heaps of books on the topic – so I selected one and have begun reading it. Pictured to the left, this book is all LISTS of facts concerning the American Civil War (1861 – 1865).

So far, it’s honestly a pretty interesting book, and I’ve certainly learned a lot. It’s not exactly the primer to the Civil War that I was searching for – perhaps that will come in the other title I picked up – but it’s definitely a good read. If you’re already a Civil War fanatic, you’ll still probably learn something new.

Here’s a few of the facts I’ve picked up so far:

• 25 percent of all white men of military age in the South were killed during the war.
• Many of the battles fought during the war have two names – one from the North, and one from the South. Examples include Bull Run (Manassas), Opequan Creek (Winchester) and Antietam (Sharpsburg).
• There were some officers fighting for each side who were born on the other side.
• One of the youngest rebels was 11-year-old George S. Lamkin, of Stanford’s Mississippi Battery.
• Union drafts were largely unsuccessful; 32% of men were exempted for physical or mental disabilities. Of those who were actually drafted, sixteen percent failed to report, ten percent were sent home, and just five percent joined the ranks.
• The daily Union rations per individual were: 3/4 of a pound of pork or bacon OR 1 and 1/4 pound of fresh or salt pork; 18 ounces of flour or bread or 12 oz. of hardtack; and 1 and 1/4 pound of corn meal.
• 214,938 people died in battle during the Civil War. Both sides lost 80 generals.
• North Carolina had the highest total of battle deaths, at over 19,673.
• “One of the saddest facts of the Civil War is that many more men died of sickness and disease than were felled in battle.”
  The deadliest disease was found to be typhoid, which killed 29 – but many other diseases also proved fatal.

I’m not nearly done with the book yet, but as I said – it’s very interesting so far. There’s sections of women and African-American soldiers ahead, as well as breakdowns of each year by month and much more. I’m looking forward to reading more, and then hopefully finding other selections on this topic.

Civil War 101: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About The North, The South, The Leaders, The Battles, and The History by Donald Cartmell. 2004. ISBN 0-517-22308-2. Find it on Amazon here or at your library (E468.C26).