Civil War Casualties by State

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Introduction

The US Civil War was fought from 1861 to 1865 and pitted the Union, led by President Abraham Lincoln, against the Confederacy, composed of eleven southern states that seceded from the Union. The war ended with the defeat of the Confederacy and the abolition of slavery. The war remains one of the most devastating conflicts in American history, claiming the lives of over 600,000 soldiers. The casualties differ significantly by state, with New York having the highest number of casualties at 39,000, followed by Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia, all with 31,000 casualties.

The states with the highest number of casualties are those that were most heavily involved in the war. For example, many of the top states were home to major battlefields, such as Pennsylvania’s Gettysburg and Virginia’s Fredericksburg. Additionally, states that were deeply divided during the war, such as North Carolina, also suffered high casualties.

It is also notable that some states, such as California and Colorado, had relatively low numbers of casualties, likely because they were far removed from the main theaters of the conflict. The war had a profound impact on the nation, and the high number of casualties is a testament to the tremendous sacrifices made by those who fought and died in the conflict.

Civil War Deaths

#StateCivil War DeathsUnion Military DeathsConfederate Military Deaths
1New York39,00038,000
2Illinois31,00032,000
3North Carolina31,00031,000
4Ohio31,00032,000
5Virginia31,00031,000
6Alabama27,00027,000
7Pennsylvania27,00027,000
8Indiana24,00024,000
9South Carolina18,000
10Michigan13,00013,000
11Missouri13,00012,500
12Iowa12,00013,000
13Wisconsin11,00011,000
14Kentucky9,0008,000
15Maine8,0008,000
16Mississippi8,0008,000
17Arkansas7,0001,0007,000
18Georgia7,0007,000
19New Jersey5,0004,500
20Louisiana4,0003,000
21New Hampshire4,0004,000
22Vermont4,0004,500
23Kansas3,0002,500
24Minnesota3,0002,500
25Tennessee3,0004,500
26Texas3,0002,000
27West Virginia3,0003,000
28Maryland2,0002,500
29Delaware1,000700
30Florida1,0002,000
31Rhode Island1,0001,000
32California500500
33Colorado500500

States With the Most Civil War Deaths

The ten states with the most Civil War deaths are New York, Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Indiana, South Carolina, and Michigan. New York had the highest number of casualties, with 39,000 deaths. Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia all had 31,000 deaths. Alabama and Pennsylvania had 27,000 and Indiana had 24,000 deaths. South Carolina and Michigan had 18,000 and 13,000 deaths, respectively.

The ten states with the highest number of Civil War deaths are:

1. New York – 39,000
2. Illinois – 31,000
3. North Carolina – 31,000
4. Ohio – 31,000
5. Virginia – 31,000
6. Alabama – 27,000
7. Pennsylvania – 27,000
8. Indiana – 24,000
9. South Carolina – 18,000
10. Michigan – 13,000

State With the Most Civil War Deaths

New York had the highest number of Civil War casualties among all the states, with 39,000 deaths, which can be attributed to several factors. One major reason is that New York had a large population, which meant that more men were available to serve in the military. Additionally, New York was an important transportation hub, with many major ports and railways passing through the state. This made it a strategic location for both the Union and Confederate armies, and New York soldiers were often sent to fight in key battles, such as Gettysburg and Antietam. Furthermore, New York was a center of industry, and many of its factories were vital to the war effort, producing essential supplies such as clothing, weapons, and ammunition. This made New York a target for Confederate attacks and further contributed to the high number of casualties.

Civil War Deaths by State

Alabama

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27,000

Ranked in the US

#6

Confederate Military Deaths

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27,000

Ranked in the US

#3

With 27,000 deaths, Alabama was a significant contributor to the Confederacy, and its soldiers fought in many key battles throughout the war. Its proximity to important ports and transportation hubs made it a strategic location for both sides.

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Arkansas

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7,000

Ranked in the US

#17

Union Military Deaths

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1,000

Ranked in the US

#22

Confederate Military Deaths

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7,000

Ranked in the US

#5

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Confederate Military Deaths

California

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500

Ranked in the US

#32

Union Military Deaths

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500

Ranked in the US

#25

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Union Military Deaths

Colorado

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500

Ranked in the US

#33

Union Military Deaths

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500

Ranked in the US

#26

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Union Military Deaths

Delaware

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1,000

Ranked in the US

#29

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700

Ranked in the US

#24

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Florida

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1,000

Ranked in the US

#30

Confederate Military Deaths

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2,000

Ranked in the US

#8

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Confederate Military Deaths

Georgia

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7,000

Ranked in the US

#18

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7,000

Ranked in the US

#6

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Confederate Military Deaths

Illinois

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31,000

Ranked in the US

#2

Union Military Deaths

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32,000

Ranked in the US

#2

With 31,000 deaths, Illinois had a high number of deaths due to the large number of soldiers it sent to fight in the war, particularly in the Western theater. Many of these soldiers were also involved in some of the most significant battles of the war, such as the Battle of Shiloh.

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Indiana

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24,000

Ranked in the US

#8

Union Military Deaths

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24,000

Ranked in the US

#5

With 24,000 Civil War casualties, Indiana was an important source of soldiers for the Union Army, and its soldiers fought in many key battles, such as the Battle of Shiloh. Additionally, Indiana's location made it a critical source of supplies for the Union Army.

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Iowa

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12,000

Ranked in the US

#12

Union Military Deaths

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13,000

Ranked in the US

#6

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Kansas

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3,000

Ranked in the US

#23

Union Military Deaths

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2,500

Ranked in the US

#19

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Kentucky

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9,000

Ranked in the US

#14

Union Military Deaths

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8,000

Ranked in the US

#11

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Louisiana

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4,000

Ranked in the US

#20

Confederate Military Deaths

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3,000

Ranked in the US

#7

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Confederate Military Deaths

Maine

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8,000

Ranked in the US

#15

Union Military Deaths

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8,000

Ranked in the US

#12

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Maryland

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2,000

Ranked in the US

#28

Union Military Deaths

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2,500

Ranked in the US

#20

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Michigan

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13,000

Ranked in the US

#10

Union Military Deaths

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13,000

Ranked in the US

#7

With 13,000 Civil War casualties, Michigan was a significant source of soldiers and supplies for the Union Army. Its soldiers were involved in many key battles, such as the Battle of Gettysburg, and its factories produced essential supplies for the war effort.

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Minnesota

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3,000

Ranked in the US

#24

Union Military Deaths

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2,500

Ranked in the US

#21

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Mississippi

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8,000

Ranked in the US

#16

Confederate Military Deaths

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8,000

Ranked in the US

#4

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Confederate Military Deaths

Missouri

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13,000

Ranked in the US

#11

Union Military Deaths

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12,500

Ranked in the US

#8

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Union Military Deaths

New Hampshire

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4,000

Ranked in the US

#21

Union Military Deaths

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4,000

Ranked in the US

#17

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Union Military Deaths

New Jersey

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5,000

Ranked in the US

#19

Union Military Deaths

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4,500

Ranked in the US

#14

Civil War Deaths

Union Military Deaths

New York

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39,000

Ranked in the US

#1

Union Military Deaths

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38,000

Ranked in the US

#1

With 39,000 deaths, New York had the highest number of Civil War casualties due to its large population, strategic location, and important role in industry and transportation. Its soldiers fought in several key battles and its factories produced crucial supplies for the war effort.

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Union Military Deaths

North Carolina

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31,000

Ranked in the US

#3

Confederate Military Deaths

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31,000

Ranked in the US

#1

With 31,000 deaths, North Carolina was a significant player in the Confederacy and sent many soldiers to fight in the Civil War. Its soldiers were involved in some of the bloodiest battles of the war, including the Battle of Gettysburg.

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Ohio

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31,000

Ranked in the US

#4

Union Military Deaths

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32,000

Ranked in the US

#3

With 31,000 deaths, Ohio was an important source of soldiers and supplies for the Union Army. Its soldiers were involved in many key battles, such as the Battle of Antietam, and its factories produced essential supplies for the war effort.

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Union Military Deaths

Pennsylvania

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27,000

Ranked in the US

#7

Union Military Deaths

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27,000

Ranked in the US

#4

With 27,000 deaths, Pennsylvania was a critical source of soldiers and supplies for the Union Army. Its soldiers were involved in many key battles, including the Battle of Gettysburg, which is often considered the turning point of the war.

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Union Military Deaths

Rhode Island

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1,000

Ranked in the US

#31

Union Military Deaths

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1,000

Ranked in the US

#23

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Union Military Deaths

South Carolina

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18,000

Ranked in the US

#9

With 18,000 Civil War casualties, South Carolina was a critical player in the Confederacy, and its soldiers fought in many key battles throughout the war. Its location on the coast also made it a target for Union forces.

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Tennessee

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3,000

Ranked in the US

#25

Union Military Deaths

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4,500

Ranked in the US

#15

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Union Military Deaths

Texas

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3,000

Ranked in the US

#26

Confederate Military Deaths

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2,000

Ranked in the US

#9

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Confederate Military Deaths

Vermont

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4,000

Ranked in the US

#22

Union Military Deaths

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4,500

Ranked in the US

#16

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Union Military Deaths

Virginia

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31,000

Ranked in the US

#5

Confederate Military Deaths

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31,000

Ranked in the US

#2

With 31,000 deaths, Virginia was a major theater of war and the site of many significant battles, including the First Battle of Bull Run and the Battle of Fredericksburg. Its location on the border between the North and the South made it a critical target for both sides.

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West Virginia

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3,000

Ranked in the US

#27

Union Military Deaths

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3,000

Ranked in the US

#18

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Union Military Deaths

Wisconsin

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11,000

Ranked in the US

#13

Union Military Deaths

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11,000

Ranked in the US

#10

Civil War Deaths

Union Military Deaths

FAQs

How many people died in the civil war ?

Around 620,000 people died in the Civil War.

How long did the civil war last ?

The Civil War lasted for four years, from 1861 to 1865.

Which state lost the most soldiers in the civil war ?

New York lost the most soldiers in the Civil War with 39,000 casualties.

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