Life and Limb: The Toll of the American Civil War - Traveling Exhibit

The Lied Public Library of Clarinda host the exhibition “Life and Limb: The Toll of the American Civil War” August 26th, through October 5th. It is free and open to the public during regular library hours.

Over three million soldiers fought in the American Civil War. More than half a million died and almost as many were wounded. Hundreds of thousands were permanently disabled by battlefield injuries or surgery, which saved lives by sacrificing limbs. These men remained a stark reminder of the costs of the conflict for long after the war. Life and Limb: The Toll of the American Civil War explores experiences of disabled veterans and their role as symbols of the fractured nation.

The traveling exhibition and companion website explore experiences of men whose lives were saved by sacrificing limbs during the war and disabled veterans in the post-war period. Over three million soldiers fought in the American Civil War. More than half a million died and almost as many were wounded. Hundreds of thousands were permanently disabled by battlefield injuries, or surgery, which saved lives by sacrificing limbs. These men remained a stark reminder of the costs of the conflict for long after the war, becoming symbols of the fractured nation. Life and Limb includes an education component that features two K-12 lesson plans and a university module.