Martin Van Buren Bates, known as the “Kentucky Giant” was the largest soldier in the Civil War. Though born an infant of normal size, he grew to 7’5”. His ferocity in battle, aided by his imposing figure, made him legendary, with Union soldiers telling tales of a “Confederate giant who’s as big as five men and fights like fifty”. After the war he married a giantess, Anna Swan, and they toured with various circuses.
