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““War means Fightin” and War means Fightin” and “Fightin means killin”“Fightin means killin”
Strategies of Grant and Strategies of Grant and ShermanSherman
GrantGrant
• After the Confederate defeat at After the Confederate defeat at Chattanooga, President Lincoln Chattanooga, President Lincoln promoted Grant to a special regular promoted Grant to a special regular army rank, Lieutenant General, army rank, Lieutenant General, authorized by Congress on March 2, authorized by Congress on March 2, 1864. 1864.
Total WarfareTotal Warfare
• Grant moved his headquarters to the Grant moved his headquarters to the east and installed Maj. Gen. Sherman east and installed Maj. Gen. Sherman as Commander of the Western Armies. as Commander of the Western Armies. President Lincoln and Grant met President Lincoln and Grant met together in Washington and devised together in Washington and devised "total war" plans that struck at the "total war" plans that struck at the heart of the Confederacy, including heart of the Confederacy, including military, railroad, and economic military, railroad, and economic infrastructures. infrastructures.
StrategyStrategy
• The two primary objectives in the The two primary objectives in the plans were to defeat Robert E. Lee's plans were to defeat Robert E. Lee's Army of Virginia and Joseph E. Army of Virginia and Joseph E. Johnston's Army of Tennessee The Johnston's Army of Tennessee The previous thought of retaining cities previous thought of retaining cities and land would be abandoned.and land would be abandoned.
ShermanSherman
• Like Grant, Sherman was convinced that the Like Grant, Sherman was convinced that the ConfederacyConfederacy's 's strategic, economic, and psychological ability to wage further war strategic, economic, and psychological ability to wage further war needed to be definitively crushed if the fighting were to end. needed to be definitively crushed if the fighting were to end. Therefore, he believed that the North had to conduct its campaign Therefore, he believed that the North had to conduct its campaign as a war of conquest and employ as a war of conquest and employ scorched earthscorched earth tactics to break tactics to break the backbone of the rebellion, which he called "hard war".the backbone of the rebellion, which he called "hard war".
• Sherman's advance through Georgia and South Carolina was Sherman's advance through Georgia and South Carolina was characterized by widespread destruction of civilian supplies and characterized by widespread destruction of civilian supplies and infrastructure. Although infrastructure. Although lootinglooting was officially forbidden, historians was officially forbidden, historians disagree on how well this regulation was enforced. The speed and disagree on how well this regulation was enforced. The speed and efficiency of the destruction by Sherman's army was remarkable. efficiency of the destruction by Sherman's army was remarkable. The practice of bending rails around trees, leaving behind what The practice of bending rails around trees, leaving behind what came to be known as came to be known as Sherman's necktiesSherman's neckties, made repairs difficult. , made repairs difficult. Accusations that civilians were targeted and Accusations that civilians were targeted and war crimeswar crimes were were committed on the march have made Sherman a controversial committed on the march have made Sherman a controversial figure to this day, particularly in the figure to this day, particularly in the SouthSouth..
•
• The damage done by Sherman was almost entirely limited to the destruction of The damage done by Sherman was almost entirely limited to the destruction of propertyproperty. Though exact figures are not available, the loss of civilian life appears to . Though exact figures are not available, the loss of civilian life appears to have been very small. Consuming supplies, wrecking infrastructure, and undermining have been very small. Consuming supplies, wrecking infrastructure, and undermining morale were Sherman's stated goals, and several of his Southern contemporaries morale were Sherman's stated goals, and several of his Southern contemporaries noted this and commented on it. For instance, noted this and commented on it. For instance, AlabamaAlabama-born Major Henry Hitchcock, -born Major Henry Hitchcock, who served in Sherman's staff, declared that "it is a terrible thing to consume and who served in Sherman's staff, declared that "it is a terrible thing to consume and destroy the sustenance of thousands of people", but if the scorched earth strategy destroy the sustenance of thousands of people", but if the scorched earth strategy served "to paralyze their husbands and fathers who are fighting ... it is mercy in the served "to paralyze their husbands and fathers who are fighting ... it is mercy in the end."The severity of the destructive acts by Union troops was significantly greater in end."The severity of the destructive acts by Union troops was significantly greater in South Carolina than in Georgia or North Carolina. This appears to have been a South Carolina than in Georgia or North Carolina. This appears to have been a consequence of the animosity among both Union soldiers and officers to the state consequence of the animosity among both Union soldiers and officers to the state that they regarded as the "cockpit of secession..One of the most serious accusations that they regarded as the "cockpit of secession..One of the most serious accusations against Sherman was that he allowed his troops to burn the city of Columbia. In against Sherman was that he allowed his troops to burn the city of Columbia. In 1867, Gen. O.O. Howard, commander of Sherman's 15th Corps, reportedly said, "It is 1867, Gen. O.O. Howard, commander of Sherman's 15th Corps, reportedly said, "It is useless to deny that our troops burnt Columbia, for I saw them in the act." However, useless to deny that our troops burnt Columbia, for I saw them in the act." However, Sherman himself stated that “If I had made up my mind to burn Columbia I would Sherman himself stated that “If I had made up my mind to burn Columbia I would have burnt it with no more feeling than I would a common prairie dog village; but I have burnt it with no more feeling than I would a common prairie dog village; but I did not do it ..."Sherman's official report on the burning placed the blame on did not do it ..."Sherman's official report on the burning placed the blame on Confederate Lt. Gen. Wade Hampton III, who Sherman said had ordered the burning Confederate Lt. Gen. Wade Hampton III, who Sherman said had ordered the burning of cotton in the streets. of cotton in the streets.
• The fullest and most dispassionate study of this The fullest and most dispassionate study of this controversy blames all parties in varying proportionscontroversy blames all parties in varying proportions—including the Confederate authorities for the —including the Confederate authorities for the disorder that characterized the evacuation of disorder that characterized the evacuation of Columbia, leaving thousands of cotton bales on the Columbia, leaving thousands of cotton bales on the streets (some of them burning) and huge quantities streets (some of them burning) and huge quantities of liquor undestroyed ... Sherman did not deliberately of liquor undestroyed ... Sherman did not deliberately burn Columbia; a majority of Union soldiers, including burn Columbia; a majority of Union soldiers, including the general himself, worked through the night to put the general himself, worked through the night to put out the fires. In this general connection, it is also out the fires. In this general connection, it is also noteworthy that Sherman and his subordinates noteworthy that Sherman and his subordinates (particularly John A. Logan) took steps to protect (particularly John A. Logan) took steps to protect Raleigh, North Carolina, from acts of revenge after Raleigh, North Carolina, from acts of revenge after the assassination of President Lincoln.the assassination of President Lincoln.
Modern assessmentModern assessment
• • • After the fall of Atlanta in 1864, Sherman ordered the city's evacuation. After the fall of Atlanta in 1864, Sherman ordered the city's evacuation.
When the city council appealed to him to rescind that order, on the grounds When the city council appealed to him to rescind that order, on the grounds that it would cause great hardship to women, children, the elderly, and that it would cause great hardship to women, children, the elderly, and others who bore no responsibility for the conduct of the war, Sherman sent a others who bore no responsibility for the conduct of the war, Sherman sent a response in which he sought to articulate his conviction that a lasting peace response in which he sought to articulate his conviction that a lasting peace would be possible only if the Union were restored, and that he was therefore would be possible only if the Union were restored, and that he was therefore prepared to do all he could do to quash the rebellion:prepared to do all he could do to quash the rebellion:
• You cannot qualify war in harsher terms than I will. War is cruelty, and you You cannot qualify war in harsher terms than I will. War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it; and those who brought war into our country deserve all the cannot refine it; and those who brought war into our country deserve all the curses and maledictions a people can pour out. I know I had no hand in curses and maledictions a people can pour out. I know I had no hand in making this war, and I know I will make more sacrifices to-day than any of making this war, and I know I will make more sacrifices to-day than any of you to secure peace. But you cannot have peace and a division of our you to secure peace. But you cannot have peace and a division of our country. If the United States submits to a division now, it will not stop, but country. If the United States submits to a division now, it will not stop, but will go on until we reap the will go on until we reap the fate of Mexicofate of Mexico, which is eternal war.[...] I want , which is eternal war.[...] I want peace, and believe it can only be reached through union and war, and I will peace, and believe it can only be reached through union and war, and I will ever conduct war with a view to perfect and early success. But, my dear sirs, ever conduct war with a view to perfect and early success. But, my dear sirs, when peace does come, you may call on me for anything. Then will I share when peace does come, you may call on me for anything. Then will I share with you the last cracker, and watch with you to shield your homes and with you the last cracker, and watch with you to shield your homes and families against danger from every quarter.families against danger from every quarter.
Prisoner of war CampsPrisoner of war Camps
• During the early stages of the During the early stages of the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War the federal government the federal government refused to negotiate the refused to negotiate the exchange of prisonersexchange of prisoners as it did not recognize the Confederacy as a as it did not recognize the Confederacy as a nation. In July, 1862, General nation. In July, 1862, General John DixJohn Dix of the of the Union Army and General Union Army and General D. H. HillD. H. Hill met and met and agreed an exchange. They decided that the agreed an exchange. They decided that the rate of exchange was one general for every 60 rate of exchange was one general for every 60 enlisted men, a colonel for 15, a lieutenant for enlisted men, a colonel for 15, a lieutenant for 4 and a sergeant for 2. 4 and a sergeant for 2.
Change of PlansChange of Plans
• In 1863 General In 1863 General Henry HalleckHenry Halleck became the Union became the Union representative involved in the exchange of prisoners. representative involved in the exchange of prisoners. Under pressure from Under pressure from Edwin StantonEdwin Stanton, the Secretary of , the Secretary of War, these exchanges became less frequent. When War, these exchanges became less frequent. When Ulysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant became overall commander of the became overall commander of the Union ArmyUnion Army he brought an end to exchanges. he brought an end to exchanges. General General Benjamin F. ButlerBenjamin F. Butler later said what Grant had later said what Grant had told him: "He (Grant) said that I would agree with told him: "He (Grant) said that I would agree with him that by the exchange of prisoners we get no him that by the exchange of prisoners we get no men fit to go into our army, and every soldier we men fit to go into our army, and every soldier we gave the Confederates went immediately into theirs, gave the Confederates went immediately into theirs, so that the exchange was virtually so much aid to so that the exchange was virtually so much aid to them and none to us." them and none to us."
Andersonville is BuiltAndersonville is Built
• The decision of The decision of Ulysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant resulted in resulted in a rapid increase in the number of prisoners a rapid increase in the number of prisoners and so it was decided to build Andersonville and so it was decided to build Andersonville Prison in Georgia. It was to be the Prison in Georgia. It was to be the Confederate's largest prison for captured Confederate's largest prison for captured soldiers. In April, 1864, General soldiers. In April, 1864, General John Henry WinderJohn Henry Winder, who was now in charge , who was now in charge of all of all Union ArmyUnion Army prisoners east of the prisoners east of the Mississippi, appointed Mississippi, appointed Henry Henry WirzWirz as as commandant of this new prison camp. commandant of this new prison camp.
AndersonvilleAndersonville
• By August, 1864, there were 32,000 By August, 1864, there were 32,000 Union ArmyUnion Army prisoners in Andersonville. prisoners in Andersonville. The Confederate authorities did not The Confederate authorities did not provide enough food for the prison and provide enough food for the prison and men began to die of starvation. The water men began to die of starvation. The water became polluted and disease was a became polluted and disease was a constant problem. Of the 49,485 prisoners constant problem. Of the 49,485 prisoners who entered the camp, nearly 13,000 who entered the camp, nearly 13,000 died from disease and malnutrition. died from disease and malnutrition.
Prisoner returned Prisoner returned
• When the When the Union ArmyUnion Army arrived in Andersonville in arrived in Andersonville in May, 1865, photographs of the prisoners were May, 1865, photographs of the prisoners were taken and the following month they appeared in taken and the following month they appeared in Harper's WeeklyHarper's Weekly. The photographs caused . The photographs caused considerable anger and calls were made for the considerable anger and calls were made for the people responsible to be punished for these crimes. people responsible to be punished for these crimes. It was eventually decided to charge General It was eventually decided to charge General Robert LeeRobert Lee, , James James SeddonSeddon, the Secretary of War, , the Secretary of War, and several other Confederate generals and and several other Confederate generals and politicians with "conspiring to injure the health and politicians with "conspiring to injure the health and destroy the lives of United States soldiers held as destroy the lives of United States soldiers held as prisoners by the Confederate States". prisoners by the Confederate States".
PrisonerPrisoner
• In August, 1865 President In August, 1865 President Andrew JohnsonAndrew Johnson ordered that the ordered that the charges against the Confederate generals and politicians charges against the Confederate generals and politicians should be dropped. However, he did give his approval for should be dropped. However, he did give his approval for Henry Henry WirzWirz to be charged with "wanton cruelty". Wirz to be charged with "wanton cruelty". Wirz appeared before a military commission headed by Major appeared before a military commission headed by Major General General Lew WallaceLew Wallace on 21st August, 1865. During the trial on 21st August, 1865. During the trial a letter from Wirz was presented that showed that he had a letter from Wirz was presented that showed that he had complained to his superiors about the shortage of food complained to his superiors about the shortage of food being provided for the prisoners. However, former inmates being provided for the prisoners. However, former inmates at Andersonville testified that Wirz inspected the prison at Andersonville testified that Wirz inspected the prison every day and often warned that if any man escaped he every day and often warned that if any man escaped he would "starve every damn Yankee for it." When Wirz fell ill would "starve every damn Yankee for it." When Wirz fell ill during the trial Wallace forced to attend and was brought during the trial Wallace forced to attend and was brought into court on a stretcher. into court on a stretcher.
Prisoner Prisoner being being examinedexamined
• Henry Henry WirzWirz was found guilty on 6th was found guilty on 6th November and sentenced to death. He November and sentenced to death. He was taken to was taken to WashingtonWashington to be to be executed in the same yard where those executed in the same yard where those involved in the assassination of involved in the assassination of Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln had died. had died. Alexander GardnerAlexander Gardner, the famous , the famous photographer, was invited to record the photographer, was invited to record the event. event.
• The execution took place on the 10th The execution took place on the 10th November. The gallows were November. The gallows were surrounded by surrounded by Union ArmyUnion Army soldiers who soldiers who throughout the procedure chanted throughout the procedure chanted "Wirz, remember, Andersonville." "Wirz, remember, Andersonville." Accompanied by a Catholic priest, Wirz Accompanied by a Catholic priest, Wirz refused to make a last minute refused to make a last minute confession, claiming he was not guilty confession, claiming he was not guilty of committing any crime. of committing any crime.
• Major Russell read the death warrant Major Russell read the death warrant and then told and then told Henry Henry WirzWirz he he "deplored this duty."Wirz replied "deplored this duty."Wirz replied that: "I know what orders are, Major. that: "I know what orders are, Major. And I am being hanged for obeying And I am being hanged for obeying them." them."
• After a black hood was placed over After a black hood was placed over his head, and the noose adjusted, a his head, and the noose adjusted, a spring was touched and the trap door spring was touched and the trap door opened. However, the drop failed to opened. However, the drop failed to break his neck and it took him two break his neck and it took him two minutes to die. During this time the minutes to die. During this time the soldiers continued to chant: "Wirz, soldiers continued to chant: "Wirz, remember, Andersonville." remember, Andersonville."
Prisoner on Henry WirzPrisoner on Henry Wirz
• It is said he was heartless and high-It is said he was heartless and high-handed. John L. Ransom, a Michigan handed. John L. Ransom, a Michigan sergeant and Andersonville prisoner, sergeant and Andersonville prisoner, wrote in his diary on May 10, 1864: wrote in his diary on May 10, 1864: "Captain Wirz very domineering and "Captain Wirz very domineering and abusive, is afraid to come into camp abusive, is afraid to come into camp any more. A thousand men here any more. A thousand men here would willingly die if they could kill would willingly die if they could kill him first. The worst man I ever saw."him first. The worst man I ever saw."
• The prisoner's burial ground is The prisoner's burial ground is now a National Cemeterynow a National Cemetery and and contains 13,737 graves, of which 1,040 contains 13,737 graves, of which 1,040 are marked unknown. The area is now are marked unknown. The area is now designated as a National Park and can designated as a National Park and can be visited. Visitors will experience a be visited. Visitors will experience a great sense of sorrow upon seeing this great sense of sorrow upon seeing this vast number of graves. vast number of graves.
Confederate ViewConfederate View
• SADDEST EPISODE.SADDEST EPISODE.• It was the saddest of its episodes not to be willingly recalled either by It was the saddest of its episodes not to be willingly recalled either by
the North or South. If its history is to be written, however, it is better for it the North or South. If its history is to be written, however, it is better for it to be based upon facts than fiction.to be based upon facts than fiction. "It is a well-known fact," said Dr. White, "that the Confederate "It is a well-known fact," said Dr. White, "that the Confederate authorities used every means in their power to secure the exchange of authorities used every means in their power to secure the exchange of prisoners, but it was the policy of the United States Government to prevent prisoners, but it was the policy of the United States Government to prevent it, as is well shown by a letter of General Grant to General Butler, dated it, as is well shown by a letter of General Grant to General Butler, dated August the 18th, 1864, in which he said:August the 18th, 1864, in which he said: 'It is hard on our men held in Southern prisons not to exchange them, 'It is hard on our men held in Southern prisons not to exchange them, but it is humanity to those left in the ranks to fight our battles. Every man but it is humanity to those left in the ranks to fight our battles. Every man released on parole or otherwise, becomes an active soldier against us at released on parole or otherwise, becomes an active soldier against us at once, either directly or indirectly. If we commence a system of exchange once, either directly or indirectly. If we commence a system of exchange which liberates all prisoners taken, we will have to fight on until the whole which liberates all prisoners taken, we will have to fight on until the whole South is exterminated. If we hold those caught they amount to no more South is exterminated. If we hold those caught they amount to no more than dead men.than dead men. "At this particular time to release all rebel prisoners North would "At this particular time to release all rebel prisoners North would insure Sherman's defeat and would compromise our safety here.'insure Sherman's defeat and would compromise our safety here.' "This policy," continued the Doctor, "not only kept our men out of the "This policy," continued the Doctor, "not only kept our men out of the field, but threw upon our impoverished commissariat the feeding of a large field, but threw upon our impoverished commissariat the feeding of a large number of prisoners."number of prisoners."
RationsRations
• In refutation of the charge that prisoners In refutation of the charge that prisoners were starved, let it be noted that the were starved, let it be noted that the Confederate Congress in May, 1861, passed a Confederate Congress in May, 1861, passed a bill providing that the rations furnished to bill providing that the rations furnished to prisoners of war should be the same in prisoners of war should be the same in quantity and quality as those issued to the quantity and quality as those issued to the enlisted men in the army of the Confederacy. enlisted men in the army of the Confederacy. And the prisoners at Andersonville received And the prisoners at Andersonville received the same rations that were furnished the the same rations that were furnished the Confederate guard. That this was sometimes Confederate guard. That this was sometimes scant, every old rebel in the field can testify. scant, every old rebel in the field can testify. But this was due to our poverty. But this was due to our poverty.
ComparisonComparison
• MORTALITY.MORTALITY.• "According to the report of Secretary of War Stanton, "According to the report of Secretary of War Stanton,
the number of Federal prisoners who died in Confederate the number of Federal prisoners who died in Confederate prisons is 22,576, and according to the same authority the prisons is 22,576, and according to the same authority the number of Confederate prisoners who died in Northern number of Confederate prisoners who died in Northern prisons is 26,436. According to the report of Surgeon-prisons is 26,436. According to the report of Surgeon-General Barnes the number of Confederates held in General Barnes the number of Confederates held in Northern prisons during the war was 220,000, and the Northern prisons during the war was 220,000, and the number of Federal prisoners held in Confederate prisons number of Federal prisoners held in Confederate prisons was 270,000."was 270,000." "It is to be observed that in all of the calculations of "It is to be observed that in all of the calculations of mortality made by the writers of these articles the figures mortality made by the writers of these articles the figures relate to Andersonville, which was acknowledged the most relate to Andersonville, which was acknowledged the most unhealthy of any of our prisons, and yet the mortality rate unhealthy of any of our prisons, and yet the mortality rate will compare favorably with that of Alton, Ill., which was will compare favorably with that of Alton, Ill., which was 509.4 annually per thousand."509.4 annually per thousand."
GRANT'S TESTIMONY.GRANT'S TESTIMONY.
• The following testimony of General Grant may be of interest. In his testimony The following testimony of General Grant may be of interest. In his testimony before the Committee on the Conduct of the War, February 11th, 1865, General before the Committee on the Conduct of the War, February 11th, 1865, General Grant's answers were as follows:Grant's answers were as follows: Question. Question. It has been said that we refused to exchange prisoners because we It has been said that we refused to exchange prisoners because we found ours starved, diseased, unserviceable when we received them, and did not like found ours starved, diseased, unserviceable when we received them, and did not like to exchange sound men for such men.to exchange sound men for such men. Answer. Answer. There never has been any such reason as that. That has been a reason There never has been any such reason as that. That has been a reason for making exchanges. I will confess that if our men who are prisoners in the South for making exchanges. I will confess that if our men who are prisoners in the South were really well taken care of, suffering nothing except a little privation of liberty, were really well taken care of, suffering nothing except a little privation of liberty, then, in a military point of view, it would not be good policy for us to exchange, then, in a military point of view, it would not be good policy for us to exchange, because every man they get back is forced right into the army at once, while that is because every man they get back is forced right into the army at once, while that is not the case with our prisoners when we receive them. In fact, the half of our not the case with our prisoners when we receive them. In fact, the half of our returned prisoners will never go into the army again, and none of them will until after returned prisoners will never go into the army again, and none of them will until after they have had a furlough of thirty or sixty days. Still the fact of their suffering as they they have had a furlough of thirty or sixty days. Still the fact of their suffering as they do is a reason for making this exchange as rapidly as possible.do is a reason for making this exchange as rapidly as possible. Question. Question. And never has been a reason for not making the exchange?And never has been a reason for not making the exchange? Answer. Answer. It never has. Exchanges having been suspended by reason of It never has. Exchanges having been suspended by reason of disagreements on the part of agents of exchange on both sides before I came in disagreements on the part of agents of exchange on both sides before I came in command of the armies of the United States, and it being near the opening of the command of the armies of the United States, and it being near the opening of the spring campaign I did not deem it advisable or just to the men who had to fight our spring campaign I did not deem it advisable or just to the men who had to fight our battles to reinforce the enemy with thirty or forty thousand disciplined troops at that battles to reinforce the enemy with thirty or forty thousand disciplined troops at that time. An immediate resumption of exchanges would have had that effect without time. An immediate resumption of exchanges would have had that effect without giving us corresponding benefits. The suffering said to exist among our prisoners giving us corresponding benefits. The suffering said to exist among our prisoners South was a powerful argument against the course pursued, and I so felt it.South was a powerful argument against the course pursued, and I so felt it.
• Alton Civil War Prison was Alton Civil War Prison was established February 9, 1862established February 9, 1862 when the first Confederate prisoners when the first Confederate prisoners were delivered there. The prison was were delivered there. The prison was housed in the abandoned Illinois housed in the abandoned Illinois State Penitentiary built in 1831 and State Penitentiary built in 1831 and located near the Mississippi River in located near the Mississippi River in Alton Illinois. Alton Illinois.
Northern Camps Alton Illinois
• During the 3 years of use during the Civil War, During the 3 years of use during the Civil War, almost 12,000 Confederate soldiers were almost 12,000 Confederate soldiers were incarcerated at Alton Prison. incarcerated at Alton Prison.
• • Disease, scurvy, fever and general malnutritionDisease, scurvy, fever and general malnutrition
plagued the prisoners but it was the dreaded smallpox plagued the prisoners but it was the dreaded smallpox which killed 6-10 prisoners per day during an outbreak in which killed 6-10 prisoners per day during an outbreak in Alton Prison. The smallpox epidemic became so bad that Alton Prison. The smallpox epidemic became so bad that prisoners were sent to a quarantine hospital on an island prisoners were sent to a quarantine hospital on an island across the Mississippi River.across the Mississippi River.
• • The exact death toll is not known but reports The exact death toll is not known but reports
estimate 1500-2200estimate 1500-2200 Confederate soldiers died within the Confederate soldiers died within the walls of this infamous military prison. walls of this infamous military prison.
Alton PrisonAlton Prison
Alton Prison 1861Alton Prison 1861
• The North's Andersonville!The North's Andersonville! Camp Camp Douglas was located Douglas was located in Chicago in Chicago near the shores of Lake Michigan. It near the shores of Lake Michigan. It was known as the northern prison was known as the northern prison camp with the highest mortality rate camp with the highest mortality rate of all Union Civil War prisons.of all Union Civil War prisons.
Prisoners of War at Camp Prisoners of War at Camp Douglas, 1863 Douglas, 1863
• The first prisoners arrived in February The first prisoners arrived in February 18621862. Conditions were horrible and it is . Conditions were horrible and it is reported that 1 in 5 prisoners within those reported that 1 in 5 prisoners within those walls died. Punishment by officials and walls died. Punishment by officials and guards was unusually cruel. Confederate guards was unusually cruel. Confederate soldiers starved to death as food rations soldiers starved to death as food rations were withheld and many, being deprived of were withheld and many, being deprived of blankets while living in tents, froze to death blankets while living in tents, froze to death in the severe weather.in the severe weather.
• "Prisoners were deprived of clothing to "Prisoners were deprived of clothing to discourage escapes.discourage escapes. Many wore sacks with Many wore sacks with head and arm holes cut out; few had underwear. head and arm holes cut out; few had underwear. Blankets to offset the bitter northern winter were Blankets to offset the bitter northern winter were confiscated from the few that had them. The confiscated from the few that had them. The weakest froze to death. The Chicago winter of weakest froze to death. The Chicago winter of 1864 was devastating. 1864 was devastating. The loss of 1,091 lives The loss of 1,091 lives in only four monthsin only four months was heaviest for any like was heaviest for any like period in the camp's history, and equaled the period in the camp's history, and equaled the deaths at the highest rate of Andersonville from deaths at the highest rate of Andersonville from February to May, 1864. Yet, it is the name of February to May, 1864. Yet, it is the name of Andersonville that burns in infamy, while there Andersonville that burns in infamy, while there exists a northern counterpart of little shame." exists a northern counterpart of little shame."
What remains of Camp What remains of Camp Douglas, the prison camp Douglas, the prison camp story that was swept under story that was swept under the rug?the rug? • A monument erected by Southern Veterans is all A monument erected by Southern Veterans is all
that remains of Camp Douglas. It is located at that remains of Camp Douglas. It is located at Oak Woods Cemetery surrounded by of an untold Oak Woods Cemetery surrounded by of an untold number of Confederate soldiers. Records of the number of Confederate soldiers. Records of the dead at Camp Douglas seem to have been lost dead at Camp Douglas seem to have been lost and/or miskept. It is truly unknown how many and and/or miskept. It is truly unknown how many and who the southern soldiers were who lie beneath who the southern soldiers were who lie beneath the ground in a large mass grave. The inscription the ground in a large mass grave. The inscription on the monument reads: ERECTED TO THE on the monument reads: ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF SIX THOUSAND SOUTHERN SOLDIERS MEMORY OF SIX THOUSAND SOUTHERN SOLDIERS HERE BURIED WHO DIED IN CAMP DOUGLAS HERE BURIED WHO DIED IN CAMP DOUGLAS PRISON 1862-5. Bronze tablets on the monument PRISON 1862-5. Bronze tablets on the monument list some of the dead Confederate soldiers buried list some of the dead Confederate soldiers buried there but how many more soldiers in The Camp there but how many more soldiers in The Camp Douglas Confederate Mound will always be Douglas Confederate Mound will always be unknown?? unknown??
