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
# | State | Civil War Deaths | Union Military Deaths | Confederate Military Deaths |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | New York | 39,000 | 38,000 | |
2 | Illinois | 31,000 | 32,000 | |
3 | North Carolina | 31,000 | 31,000 | |
4 | Ohio | 31,000 | 32,000 | |
5 | Virginia | 31,000 | 31,000 | |
6 | Alabama | 27,000 | 27,000 | |
7 | Pennsylvania | 27,000 | 27,000 | |
8 | Indiana | 24,000 | 24,000 | |
9 | South Carolina | 18,000 | ||
10 | Michigan | 13,000 | 13,000 | |
11 | Missouri | 13,000 | 12,500 | |
12 | Iowa | 12,000 | 13,000 | |
13 | Wisconsin | 11,000 | 11,000 | |
14 | Kentucky | 9,000 | 8,000 | |
15 | Maine | 8,000 | 8,000 | |
16 | Mississippi | 8,000 | 8,000 | |
17 | Arkansas | 7,000 | 1,000 | 7,000 |
18 | Georgia | 7,000 | 7,000 | |
19 | New Jersey | 5,000 | 4,500 | |
20 | Louisiana | 4,000 | 3,000 | |
21 | New Hampshire | 4,000 | 4,000 | |
22 | Vermont | 4,000 | 4,500 | |
23 | Kansas | 3,000 | 2,500 | |
24 | Minnesota | 3,000 | 2,500 | |
25 | Tennessee | 3,000 | 4,500 | |
26 | Texas | 3,000 | 2,000 | |
27 | West Virginia | 3,000 | 3,000 | |
28 | Maryland | 2,000 | 2,500 | |
29 | Delaware | 1,000 | 700 | |
30 | Florida | 1,000 | 2,000 | |
31 | Rhode Island | 1,000 | 1,000 | |
32 | California | 500 | 500 | |
33 | Colorado | 500 | 500 |
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
Civil War Deaths
27,000
Ranked in the US
#6
Confederate Military Deaths
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.
Arkansas
Civil War Deaths
7,000
Ranked in the US
#17
Union Military Deaths
1,000
Ranked in the US
#22
Confederate Military Deaths
7,000
Ranked in the US
#5
California
Civil War Deaths
500
Ranked in the US
#32
Union Military Deaths
500
Ranked in the US
#25
Colorado
Civil War Deaths
500
Ranked in the US
#33
Union Military Deaths
500
Ranked in the US
#26
Delaware
Civil War Deaths
1,000
Ranked in the US
#29
Union Military Deaths
700
Ranked in the US
#24
Florida
Civil War Deaths
1,000
Ranked in the US
#30
Confederate Military Deaths
2,000
Ranked in the US
#8
Georgia
Civil War Deaths
7,000
Ranked in the US
#18
Confederate Military Deaths
7,000
Ranked in the US
#6
Illinois
Civil War Deaths
31,000
Ranked in the US
#2
Union Military Deaths
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.
Indiana
Civil War Deaths
24,000
Ranked in the US
#8
Union Military Deaths
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.
Iowa
Civil War Deaths
12,000
Ranked in the US
#12
Union Military Deaths
13,000
Ranked in the US
#6
Kansas
Civil War Deaths
3,000
Ranked in the US
#23
Union Military Deaths
2,500
Ranked in the US
#19
Kentucky
Civil War Deaths
9,000
Ranked in the US
#14
Union Military Deaths
8,000
Ranked in the US
#11
Louisiana
Civil War Deaths
4,000
Ranked in the US
#20
Confederate Military Deaths
3,000
Ranked in the US
#7
Maine
Civil War Deaths
8,000
Ranked in the US
#15
Union Military Deaths
8,000
Ranked in the US
#12
Maryland
Civil War Deaths
2,000
Ranked in the US
#28
Union Military Deaths
2,500
Ranked in the US
#20
Michigan
Civil War Deaths
13,000
Ranked in the US
#10
Union Military Deaths
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.
Minnesota
Civil War Deaths
3,000
Ranked in the US
#24
Union Military Deaths
2,500
Ranked in the US
#21
Mississippi
Civil War Deaths
8,000
Ranked in the US
#16
Confederate Military Deaths
8,000
Ranked in the US
#4
Missouri
Civil War Deaths
13,000
Ranked in the US
#11
Union Military Deaths
12,500
Ranked in the US
#8
New Hampshire
Civil War Deaths
4,000
Ranked in the US
#21
Union Military Deaths
4,000
Ranked in the US
#17
New Jersey
Civil War Deaths
5,000
Ranked in the US
#19
Union Military Deaths
4,500
Ranked in the US
#14
New York
Civil War Deaths
39,000
Ranked in the US
#1
Union Military Deaths
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.
North Carolina
Civil War Deaths
31,000
Ranked in the US
#3
Confederate Military Deaths
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.
Ohio
Civil War Deaths
31,000
Ranked in the US
#4
Union Military Deaths
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.
Pennsylvania
Civil War Deaths
27,000
Ranked in the US
#7
Union Military Deaths
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.
Rhode Island
Civil War Deaths
1,000
Ranked in the US
#31
Union Military Deaths
1,000
Ranked in the US
#23
South Carolina
Civil War Deaths
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.
Tennessee
Civil War Deaths
3,000
Ranked in the US
#25
Union Military Deaths
4,500
Ranked in the US
#15
Texas
Civil War Deaths
3,000
Ranked in the US
#26
Confederate Military Deaths
2,000
Ranked in the US
#9
Vermont
Civil War Deaths
4,000
Ranked in the US
#22
Union Military Deaths
4,500
Ranked in the US
#16
Virginia
Civil War Deaths
31,000
Ranked in the US
#5
Confederate Military Deaths
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.
West Virginia
Civil War Deaths
3,000
Ranked in the US
#27
Union Military Deaths
3,000
Ranked in the US
#18
Wisconsin
Civil War Deaths
11,000
Ranked in the US
#13
Union Military Deaths
11,000
Ranked in the US
#10
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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