The American Civil War stretched from April 12, 1861, in North Carolina until April 9, 1865, at Appomattox during term of President Abraham Lincoln. The battles for the north under General Grant (principally), and for the south under General Robert E. Lee resulted in thousands of deaths on each side. With the battle tactic of direct confrontation, the life of a soldier was in constant jeopardy, especially with the common medical practice of wound amputation. Thus, the will to fight was almost suicidal.