What were the greatest dangers faced by wounded and captured soldiers during the Civil War?

The greatest dangers faced by wounded and captured soldiers during the American Civil War (1861-1865) were infection, disease, and poor medical treatment.

1. Infection: Wounds sustained by soldiers during the Civil War often became infected. The lack of antibiotics and limited knowledge about germ theory meant that even minor wounds could become life-threatening. Surgical instruments and doctors' hands were not sterilized, and antiseptic procedures were not in place, increasing the risk of infection.

2. Disease: In addition to infection from wounds, soldiers were at high risk for diseases such as dysentery, typhoid fever, malaria, pneumonia, and smallpox. These diseases spread rapidly in the crowded, unsanitary conditions of military camps and prisons.

3. Poor Medical Treatment: The medical knowledge and technology of the time were not advanced. Amputations were common for treating serious limb wounds, often without proper anesthesia or pain management. Many wounded soldiers did not receive timely medical attention, and battlefield hospitals were overwhelmed with the number of casualties.

4. Prison Conditions: Captured soldiers faced extremely harsh conditions in prison camps. Food shortages, inadequate shelter, and poor sanitation were rampant, contributing to high mortality rates among prisoners of war.

5. Malnutrition and Starvation: The lack of adequate food supplies often led to malnutrition and even starvation, weakening soldiers and making them more susceptible to disease.

6. Psychological Trauma: The war's brutality and the horrific conditions of battlefields and prisons caused significant psychological distress, which was not well understood at the time.