 More than 3 million soldiers fought in the Civil War from 1861-1865.
More than half a million died, and almost as many were wounded but
survived. Hundreds of thousands were permanently disabled by
battlefield injuries or surgery, which saved lives by sacrificing
limbs. "Life and Limb: The Toll of the Civil War" explores the
experiences of disabled Civil War veterans who served as symbols of
the fractured nation and a stark reminder of the costs of the
conflict.
The traveling six-panel exhibit was developed and produced by the
National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
The exhibit coincides with the annual Civil War Medical
Encampment, sponsored by Memorial Medical Center, scheduled for June
8-10 at the Old State Capitol.
During the 1840s and 1850s, the Old State Capitol was the scene
of debate over issues that led the nation to war in 1861. During the
Civil War, the Statehouse was the center of the state's efforts at
wartime mobilization. The Capitol also provided space for local
events aiding the needs of local residents as well as soldier relief
efforts.
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The
Old State Capitol State Historic Site, administered by the
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
seven days a week through Labor Day.
[Text from file received from
the Illinois Historic
Preservation Agency]
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