What caused the highest proportion of Union deaths during the Civil War?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Disease and accidents caused the highest proportion of Union deaths during the Civil War. It is estimated that two-thirds of all deaths were the result of disease, such as dysentery, typhoid fever, and pneumonia, that spread rapidly in the crowded and unsanitary conditions of military camps. Accidents, such as falls, drownings, and train wrecks, also accounted for a significant number of deaths. Though bullet wounds and hand-to-hand combat were certainly causes of death, they did not make up the highest proportion of Union deaths during the war. And while unsanitary surgical equipment certainly posed a risk to soldiers, it was not the primary cause of death.

What Caused the Highest Proportion of Union Deaths During the Civil