The damage the Minie Ball inflicted on the human body was incredible. Lead round balls, the traditional ammunition, could break bones and tear away tissue, although the Minie Ball had the ability to completely obliterate bones and tissue where it impacted. (Meaning Civil War surgeons had to amputate limb wounds more often than not) Because it was made out of soft lead, The Minie Ball was designed to splinter itself or flatten when it impacted it’s target, causing an even greater area of damage.
