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Andersonville PrisonAndersonville Prison
BackgroundBackground
Prisoners held near Richmond were Prisoners held near Richmond were too numeroustoo numerous
Needed another siteNeeded another site Hastily built stockade in S. GA (Camp Hastily built stockade in S. GA (Camp
Sumter)Sumter) Built to accommodate 10,000 Built to accommodate 10,000
prisonersprisoners By July, 1864, crammed with 32,000 By July, 1864, crammed with 32,000
BackgroundBackground
Open air stockade w/20 foot walls, 26 Open air stockade w/20 foot walls, 26 acresacres
Conditions grew increasingly Conditions grew increasingly intolerableintolerable
Stream ran through camp – filthy, Stream ran through camp – filthy, stagnant stream called Sweet Water stagnant stream called Sweet Water BranchBranch
Used as a sewer as well as drinking Used as a sewer as well as drinking and bathing!and bathing!
South barely able to feed own soldiersSouth barely able to feed own soldiers
ConditionsConditions
Men received starvation rationsMen received starvation rations Rancid grain, a few tablespoons of Rancid grain, a few tablespoons of
beans or peasbeans or peas Poor food, lack of sanitation, shelter, Poor food, lack of sanitation, shelter,
health care, crowding, scorching health care, crowding, scorching Georgia sun took a tollGeorgia sun took a toll
Dysentery, scurvy, malaria, exposureDysentery, scurvy, malaria, exposure In summer, 100 died per dayIn summer, 100 died per day
ConditionsConditions
Others killed by thieves and maraudersOthers killed by thieves and marauders Andersonville RaidersAndersonville Raiders As Sherman advanced, many were sent As Sherman advanced, many were sent
to other campsto other camps Remained in operation until the end of Remained in operation until the end of
the warthe war Held more than any other camp Held more than any other camp
(45,000)(45,000) 30% died30% died
AftermathAftermath
Outraged citizens wanted retribution but Outraged citizens wanted retribution but North had bad prisons tooNorth had bad prisons too
Mismanagement and shortages more to Mismanagement and shortages more to blame than deliberate mistreatmentblame than deliberate mistreatment
Prison commander, Prison commander, Capt. Henry WirzCapt. Henry Wirz was was hanged in 1865 for “impairing the health hanged in 1865 for “impairing the health and destroying the lives of prisoners.”and destroying the lives of prisoners.”
Created a national cemetery & monument Created a national cemetery & monument for the prisoners – still used to bury for the prisoners – still used to bury veteransveterans
Capt. Henry Wirz