Fiz
what are you not sure about the Civil War?
It was another war that was between the UNited States and the Confederate States who according to their re-written Constitutions no longer belonged to the United States, they seceded. Hence, it was yet another war thar lasted the length of time discussed. I would venture to say that the enslaved people of that time, most of whom were captured in Africa and sold to slave traders by their own race, and came to America to be sold into southern slavery, were happy that they were freed as a result of that brutal Civil War which maimed hundreds of thousands and killed just as many..
Medicine was not far along in its knowledge or abilities at that time as you likely know or can surmise.
I am grateful I was not born in that time period. You weere as likely to be killed by medicine as you were any other means.