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