Andersonville GA Civil War National Historic Site

The Andersonville prison, officially known as Camp Sumter, served as a Confederate Prisoner of War camp during the American Civil War. The site of the prison is now Andersonville National Historic Site in Andersonville Georgia.  This is the entrance to the Visitor Center and Museum which documents stories of prisoners of war from all wars.

The site was chosen, in part, by the fact that this stream passed through the property and was deemed adequate as a fresh water source for the camp designed to hold 10,000 prisoners.


However, The water supply from Stockade Creek became polluted when too many Union prisoners were housed by the Confederate authorities within the prison walls. Part of the creek was used as a sink and the men were forced to wash themselves in the creek.

Initially the enclosure was about 16.5 acres and enlarged in 1864 to 26.5 acres (keep in mind a football field is about an acre) and at its peak held about 35,000 prisoners.  In all nearly 13,000 died there as the direct result of crowding, malnutrition, and illness.
This image from the internet shows a birds-eye view of the double walled prison.  Trees were cut and installed 5 feet deep and 15 feet above ground in two rows forming the inner and outer walls.  The area between was known as the "dead zone" and any prisoner seen in there would be shot by sentries.


This monument to Providence Spring momorializes an event recorded by survivors.  During a storm a lightning strike near this spot opened an abundant spring which the prisoners were able to access to supplement the tainted water from Stockade Creek.

 A section of the double fence and entry gate has been recreated to show what the reality was.  Sentries were posted in the towers on either side of the entry.  The towers were known as "Pigeon Roosts".

A pass-through in the door had a heavy lock and hinges for security and afforded easy access to pass small items in or out without opening the entire gate.

Today a paved road encircles the original location of the prison.  If you look carefully you can see a series of white posts which demark the locations of the inner and outer fences.

Shelter for the prisoners was non-existent and they made their own from whatever materials they could find or had with them.  Called Shebangs, the minimal shelters were typically lean-tos, fashioned from tent material or ponchos.  Examples are recreated on the site where Cathy examines one.

Escape tunnels were attempted, though none succeeded.  The sites of the tunnels are marked, as this one with modern fences.  Others are denoted by concrete markers.

The dead from the prison were buried in trenches with the only record being kept by a young Union soldier, Dorrance Atwater, who was chosen by the camp commanding officer to do the record keeping.  Fearing the Confederates would never release the record, Atwater kept his own list which is the basis of identification of the 13,000 prisoners who died there.  Grave markers were installed after the prison closed in May 1865.  Clara Barton, founder of the Red Cross, with the help of Atwater, completed the installation of markers in July and August 1865. 


Today the cemetery contains nearly 20,000 interments. Administered by the National Park Service, Andersonville National Cemetery uses the same eligibility criteria as cemeteries administered by the National Cemetery Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  And, as with all Civil War sites there are State monuments erected to honor those who fought and died here.  This is the Pennsylvania monument honoring 1,849 dead at Andersonville.

The New Jersey Monument recognizes the sacrifices of its veterans.

Now, to something a little bit lighter and more enjoyable.  You know Georgia is the Peach State, right?  Well what is more peachy than Peach Cobbler?  How about Fried Peach Pie?  We had been told by our campground hostess to stop at Lane Packing Co. for lunch.  Located just outside of Ft. Valley, in the heart of Middle Georgia, Lane Southern Orchards has been growing peaches and pecans for more than 100 years. The farm now totals almost 5000 acres.  Our Peach Cobbler and Fried Peach Pie are shown shortly before they were devoured!

While Cathy was walking Dixie at one of our rest stops driving to Chattanooga, she found this four-leaf clover.  We hope it is a sign of coming good luck for us!