The adoption of new, deadlier weaponry during the American Civil War inevitably led to the mass infliction of atrocious wounds. One of these new weapons was the Minié ball, a French-designed bullet that greatly increased the accuracy, rate of fire, and wounding power of the commonly issued rifle musket. Up to 90 percent of injuries sustained during the War were administered by the Minié ball. In the aftermath of a battle, surgeons were responsible for tending to thousands of