More Horses and Mules Died: One and a Half Million

From the Civil War Examiner "More horses and mules died in the Civil War than men" by Bob O'Connor.

Most people do not think of the fate of the equine branch of the military forces during the war, but they too suffered and died right alongside the men they served.  hey!  Super big targets, and, stop the horses and mules, stop the cavalry and artillery.

There is a war horse statue in Richmond Virginia at the Virginia Historical Society at 428 North Boulevard.  It is dedicated to the million and half horses and mules who died in the Confederate and Union armies and was designed by England's Tessa Pullam and dedicated in 1997.

Like the men, more died of disease and exhaustion than were actually killed in battle.  Many died of glanders, a highly infectuous disease of the nasal passages, respiration and skin.  In battle, it often took more than one bullet to bring one down.  Many were found with as many as five bullets.

At the Battle of Gettysburg alone, more than an estimated 3,000 died.  Horses had a problem keeping up with the established 4 mph cavalry rate of movement.

Something You Don't Think About.  --Old Secesh