Is Andersonville as Overpopulated in Death as it was in 1864?

Reconstructed Andersonville Prison Wall Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Andersonville prison as we know, was infamous for the horrible living conditions imposed on Union prisoners of war held there. Officially known as Camp Sumter, it was located in the southwest part of Georgia. It opened in February 1864 to house the ever-growing prison population that increased once the prisoner exchange system broke down between the north and south.

There are numerous accounts of the atrocious living conditions endured by the prisoners. Andersonville was built to house 10,000 men but at its peak 33,000 men were jammed inside its walls. Barracks were not erected for prisoners. The men built their own huts and tents out of scrap pieces of wood, tree limbs and whatever cloth they could find. These flimsy structures could not give relief from the intense summer heat of the Georgia sun, the cold winter nights or pounding rain.

Inside the prison a “deadline” marked by a thin rail fence kept prisoners from climbing the stockade walls. Guards were ordered to shoot any soldier who touched the fence let alone cross it. Many prisoners who could no longer exist in such conditions committed suicide by crossing the “deadline”.

The fresh water for prisoners was a small stream, a branch of Sweetwater creek, that ran through the center of the camp. Unfortunately it had to be used for bathing as well. Soon this stream and the surrounding area grew putrid with the accumulation of human waste and filth. Furthering the spread of disease.

Food was scarce for the prisoners. Most died from starvation or malnutrition. Disease and infection ran rampant. Men were dying horrible, agonizing deaths at a rate of 100 a day.

For some time through history the conditions at Andersonville were considered deliberate Confederate actions against Union prisoners. Yet many historians today agree the Confederacy simply did not have enough food, medical care or resources for their own citizens let alone thousands upon thousands of Union prisoners of war. Camp Douglas and Elmira prison in New York are examples of northern prisons with the very same atrocious conditions and equally high prisoner mortality rates.

Today a visitor can walk this historic Civil War site. The prison is outlined with white posts and two sections of stockade walls. The rebuilt stockade gives a hint of the original primitive prison. The adjoining cemetery holds the remains of more than 13,800 Union soldiers who died at Andersonville and in the surrounding region.

Many travelers to this historic site can attest to unusual and haunting experiences.