During the American Civil War, our nation was tested unlike anything else it had ever seen. The result would ultimately end with slaves being free, although this still took a bit longer in Galveston, and the United States would also reunite. Sadly, the conflict cost 618,000 to 620,000 people their lives, but there are several Civil War facts that still intrigue us about our nation’s bloodiest conflict.
Table of Contents:
- A 12 Year-Old Was Promoted to Sergeant
- Immigrants Joined the Fight
- There Is a Home Made of Civil War Tombstones in Virginia
- The Technology for the Modern-Day Ambulance Was Invented
- Civil War Facts, Featuring Glow-In-The-Dark Warfighters
1. A 12-Year-Old Was Promoted to Sergeant
One of the more interesting Civil War facts comes from the youngest non-commissioned officer (NCO) in the history of the Army—John Lincoln Clem.
Like many other boys at the time, Johnny was put into a warzone when our nation fell into a civil war, and the twelve-year-old was a drummer boy in the 22nd Michigan Infantry Regiment.
Though accounts vary, there are plenty of reports pointing to Clem shooting a Confederate colonel during the Battle of Chickamauga when he was told to surrender.
This would inspire the motion to promote him to sergeant. Though the Confederacy used him as an example of the Union using children, the North applauded his bravery.
Throw in becoming a POW, multiple battles, and becoming wounded twice while fighting before being discharged as barely a teenager and it’s safe to say Sgt. Clem’s time as a Soldier is one of the more unique during the Civil War and all time.
2. Immigrants Joined the Fight
Facts about the Civil War often focus on the fights and plights of white and Black Americans; however, there were plenty of people immigrating to the nation and area at the time as well.
As a result, immigrants from all over the world took up arms in the American Civil War.
Some of the biggest examples are the 52nd New York and 32nd Indiana (1st German) regiments consisting of Germans.
Additionally, Irish Americans fought in their own units, with the “Fighting 69th” New York Infantry Regiment, serving as a prime example.
However, there were many other groups represented within the conflict ranging from Europe to Asia and Oceania, and even Canada.
People with ties to Guam, China, the Czech Republic, Australia, Samoa, Sri Lanka, and many more countries played a role.
Our nation’s deadliest conflict provided ample opportunity to defend one’s new home and the facts about the Civil War point to many newcomers willing to defend their land with their lives.
3. There Is a Home Made of Civil War Tombstones in Virginia
In Virginia, the Siege of Petersburg raged on for more than nine months during the Civil War. It was the longest event of the entire conflict.
This unsurprisingly resulted in tens of thousands of casualties; however, when some of these fighters were laid to rest, they ended up going through many changes throughout the years.
There were many fighters buried at Poplar Lawn Cemetery in the aftermath. As a result, their graves were marked with wooden markers that eventually would rot away.
The government decided to replace them with marble headstones; however, maintaining the area became a problem during the Great Depression.
Times were hard in Old Dominion. In an attempt to save money, the city cut the tombstones in half and laid the engraved tops flat on the ground.
The bottom halves of 2,200 tombstones were sold for $45 to Oswald Young, who used them to build his house, chimney, and walkway.
Want to add one of the Civil War facts to your to-do list? These unique artifacts still adorn the Tombstone House today. You can respectfully visit by setting your GPS to the address below.
Address: 1736 Youngs Rd, Petersburg, VA 23803
4. The Technology for the Modern-Day Ambulance Was Invented
If you were to need immediate medical attention, chances are, you’d either call for an ambulance or at the very least have the option of doing so.
But that wasn’t always the case and modern ambulance systems are based on the units that began to develop during the Civil War.
Beforehand, Soldiers would fend for themselves for however long it took to be found or reach safety while dealing with their injuries.
However, ambulance units would help rescue warfighters and would evolve to be used off of the battlefield.
This is just one example and Civil War facts point to great improvements in documenting, communicating, and advancements in weaponry, just to name a few, of which came to be due to the conflict.
Everything from our nation’s use of railroads to the Gatling gun has ties to the American Civil War.
5. Civil War Facts, Featuring Glow-In-The-Dark Warfighters
The Battle of Shiloh took place on April 6, 1862. However, it wasn’t until 2001, that we would begin to understand one of the strangest Civil War phenomena.
Death was a common occurrence for both sides, as were wounds. As a result, some of those who were suffering from wounds began experiencing what would be called an Angel’s Glow.
Wounded fighters were lying in muddy fields and noticed a greenish-blue glow in the dark appearing by their wounds.
This brings us to the most interesting of the Civil War facts, glow-in-the-dark Soldiers. Today, we believe that these glows were bioluminescent bacteria, known as Photorhabdus luminescens, which live inside of the worms that may have been present at the time.
This discovery came to be after a high school student, Bill Martin, took a battleground tour and worked with a friend and his mom, a microbiologist, to discover why.
The Civil War fact they would uncover may seem a bit uncomfortable and gross at first; however, the bacteria would have actually increased the chances of survival for anyone lucky enough to glow.
Additional Fascinating Facts About the American Civil War
We broke down some of the most intriguing Civil War facts below, but plenty more are just as mind-blowing. Check out these unusual American Civil War facts that every history buff should have in their arsenal:
1. During the Civil War, Soldiers were subject to a lot of battles. What is a lot you might be wondering? Well, exactly 10,455 military events.
Can you do the math to figure out how many battles took place a day?
Don’t worry, if you can’t, because we’ve done it for you. That number breaks down to 1 battle every single day for four years.
2. Many will be familiar with Arlington National Cemetery, as you have probably heard its name in the news quite frequently lately after the August incident involving former President Donald Trump.
Well, it seems like this cemetery has always been shrouded in controversy as it was originally Robert E. Lee’s estate. His estate was eventually turned into a cemetery by Union Soldiers. It was their intent that the cemetery would remind him of all the deaths he caused.
3. With World War I getting so much credit for aerial combat, it can be easy to forget that the American Civil War also used the sky. Primarily for espionage and surveillance, hot air balloons played a role in recon for both sides.
4. Irene Triplett received the last benefits tied to the Civil War; however, the pension ended more recently than you might think. Triplett received $73.13 per month all the way until 2020 when she passed away.
5. Women weren’t allowed to fight in the Civil War but as many as 1,000 did. During the conflict, several women disguised themselves and joined the ranks to fight. Harriet Tubman herself also played a significant role in helping the Union free slaves while also overtaking key sites under Confederate control.
6. Slavery was ending but prejudice was not. Many Blacks fought in the war. However, they were not paid as much as white Soldiers while also being charged a cleaning fee. After a protest, Black fighters finally got retroactive pay in September 1864.
7. One fun fact about the Civil War is how the conflict changed pants forever. The conflict was the first time the hip pocket was added to pants.
We hope that you enjoyed reading more about these surprising Civil War facts. Be sure to share your newfound Civil War knowledge with friends and family.
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