Andersonville

[sparker1]

On our way back to Florida, we stopped in central Georgia for a couple days, primarily to visit Andersonville. For those who may not be familiar with this name, Andersonville was the largest Confederate POW camp during the US Civil War. It was built in 1864, engineered for 10,000 prisoners, and expanded several months later to accommodate about 16,000. Unfortunately, for various reasons, it housed as many as 45,000 men, of whom nearly 13,000 died. Beyond the terribly crowded conditions, there was little food, and drinking water was only from a contaminated creek.

The first photo shows a small replica section of the stockade, with small tents serving as living quarters. Note the 4 foot high rail, 10 feet from the wall, around the inside perimeter. Anyone crossing that line was shot, so it became known as the "deadline". So that's how the term was coined.

The dead were so numerous that all were buried in large trenches. As a result, markers are placed close together, as in the second shot.

[sparker1]

Many states have placed memorials on the grounds. Wisconsin's memorial is shown in the first photo, with a stone column representing the corner of the 26 acre stockade. A white post marks the "deadline".

The site also serves as a National Cemetery for personnel who served in all subsequent wars. The markers there are placed on individual graves, rather than the mass graves of the Andersonville deceased.

Some think of this place representing Confederate brutality, but actions on both sides led to the atrocity it became. The South put its limited resources primarily in the front lines. The North discontinued the prisoner exchange program, causing the number of prisoners to soar. Weather conspired to reduce water supplies, and all transportation was severely limited by Northern invasions. All in all, the prisoners were "overlooked" by everyone. Needing a scapegoat, the North tried and hanged the prison's commander shortly after the war ended.

This is a moving memorial to the horrors of war.

[GTogs]

Very Moving!

[Belmondo]

It was just one of several such 'facilities', both north and south. The fear of capture was probably as great as fear of death.

There is a disaster story closely related to Andersonville, and that is the explosion of the paddle-wheeler Sultana near Memphis on April 27, 1865.

The Sultana was heading north against an unusally strong current on the Mississippi River, and was grossly overloaded with recently liberated prisoners and US soldiers. Around 1800 people were killed, including many of the former prisoners.

http://www.electriccemetery.com/ecSULTANA.html

[sparker1]

Tom, thanks so much for adding the comments and link regarding the Sultana. It's hard to imagine the hardships those men suffered, only to die in the Sultana tragedy.

[stoneylonesome]

WOW! Fantastic shots, and thanks so much for history behind them. What a tragic war our Civil war was. when you stop and think that in the battle of Gettysburg 50,000 americans lost there lives. Thanks again for these very moving photos.

[Skip Souza]

Moving but tough photos to look at. What a bleak time in our history. Thanks for the post Stan and the link Tom.

[John Trogdon]

Thanks for sharing Stan. I would hope that we learned something from those times. Nice shots.

[Titus213]

Never been to Andersonville but read a bit about it. Sad time in our history and greatly misunderstood today I think. Brother against brother. Thanks for the post and the photos.