Andersonville Prison

Background Prisoners held near Richmond were too numerous Prisoners held near Richmond were too numerous Needed another site Needed another site Hastily built stockade in S. GA (Camp Sumter) Hastily built stockade in S. GA (Camp Sumter) Built to accommodate 10,000 prisoners Built to accommodate 10,000 prisoners By July, 1864, crammed with 32,000 By July, 1864, crammed with 32,000

Background Open air stockade w/20 foot walls, 26 acres Open air stockade w/20 foot walls, 26 acres Conditions grew increasingly intolerable Conditions grew increasingly intolerable Stream ran through camp – filthy, stagnant stream called Sweet Water Branch Stream ran through camp – filthy, stagnant stream called Sweet Water Branch Used as a sewer as well as drinking and bathing! Used as a sewer as well as drinking and bathing! South barely able to feed own soldiers South barely able to feed own soldiers

Conditions Men received starvation rations Men received starvation rations Rancid grain, a few tablespoons of beans or peas Rancid grain, a few tablespoons of beans or peas Poor food, lack of sanitation, shelter, health care, crowding, scorching Georgia sun took a toll Poor food, lack of sanitation, shelter, health care, crowding, scorching Georgia sun took a toll Dysentery, scurvy, malaria, exposure Dysentery, scurvy, malaria, exposure In summer, 100 died per day In summer, 100 died per day

Conditions Others killed by thieves and marauders Others killed by thieves and marauders Andersonville Raiders Andersonville Raiders As Sherman advanced, many were sent to other camps As Sherman advanced, many were sent to other camps Remained in operation until the end of the war Remained in operation until the end of the war Held more than any other camp (45,000) Held more than any other camp (45,000) 30% died 30% died

Aftermath Outraged citizens wanted retribution but North had bad prisons too Outraged citizens wanted retribution but North had bad prisons too Mismanagement and shortages more to blame than deliberate mistreatment Mismanagement and shortages more to blame than deliberate mistreatment Prison commander, Capt. Henry Wirz was hanged in 1865 for “impairing the health and destroying the lives of prisoners.” Prison commander, Capt. Henry Wirz was hanged in 1865 for “impairing the health and destroying the lives of prisoners.” Created a national cemetery & monument for the prisoners – still used to bury veterans Created a national cemetery & monument for the prisoners – still used to bury veterans

Capt. Henry Wirz