Ep 10. Death and the Civil War

Death and the Civil War is the 10th episode of the 24th season of American Experience. This episode explores the impact of death on both Union and Confederate armies during the Civil War. With over 620,00 casualties, the Civil War was one of the deadliest conflicts in American history. The episode examines the psychological and emotional toll of mass death, how the Civil War changed societal attitudes surrounding death and mourning, and the innovations in caring for the dead that emerged during the war.

The episode begins by exploring how both sides of the Civil War dealt with the massive casualties of battle. It is estimated that for every three soldiers killed in battle, there were two more who died of disease, making death a constant presence in the armies. The episode shows how soldiers struggled to deal with the loss of comrades, often turning to religion or writing letters to process their grief. Additionally, the episode looks at how the death of soldiers affected their families back home. With no formal system in place for notifying families of deaths, many families went weeks or even months without knowing what happened to their loved ones.

The episode goes on to explore how the Civil War changed societal attitudes towards death and mourning. Prior to the war, death was often romanticized, with grieving families preserving the bodies of loved ones and displaying them in their homes. However, with so many soldiers dying far away from home, traditional mourning practices became impossible. The episode looks at how the war forced individuals to find new ways to deal with death, such as creating national cemeteries and standardized burial practices.

One of the most compelling aspects of the episode is its examination of innovations in caring for the dead that emerged during the war. With so many soldiers dying far from home, there was a need for a system to transport bodies and ensure that they were properly buried. The episode examines the work of Union Quartermaster General Montgomery Meigs, who oversaw the creation of national cemeteries and the transportation of bodies. The episode also looks at the efforts of Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States, who organized a system of nurses to care for wounded soldiers and help with burial efforts.

Overall, Death and the Civil War is a fascinating exploration of the impact of death on both Union and Confederate armies during the Civil War. Through its examination of individual soldiers, families, and innovations in caring for the dead, the episode paints a complex portrait of the psychological and emotional toll of mass death.