Civil War · War Crimes & Atrocities
The American Civil War produced atrocities on both sides, driven by racial ideology, the dehumanization of enslaved people, guerrilla warfare's erosion of legal norms, and the catastrophic failure of both governments to adequately supply or protect prisoners of war. The Confederate refusal to treat Black Union soldiers as legitimate prisoners — grounded in the view that they remained enslaved property in rebellion — produced some of the war's most deliberate massacres. Prison camp mortality, while partly attributable to resource constraints, also reflected willful neglect and, in some cases, active cruelty.
12,913+
deaths
Victims: Union prisoners of war(of approximately 45,000 prisoners held; nearly 29% mortality rate)
300+
deaths
Victims: Black Union soldiers and white Tennessee Unionists(approximately 300 killed, predominantly Black soldiers of the 6th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery; many killed after surrender)
164+
deaths
Victims: Civilian men and boys of Lawrence, Kansas(approximately 164 men and boys killed; no women were killed per Quantrill's orders)
100+
deaths
Victims: Freed Black refugees following Sherman's army(approximately 100+ drowned or captured and re-enslaved; numbers uncertain due to limited documentation)