Georgia has a lot of history. There’s a lot of Civil War history. Andersonville Prison Camp was a sad and horrible place during the last year if the war. Mr. RCGG and I took a trip there a few years ago.
In 1864 a very sad and horrible event happened here. Andersonville, also known as Camp Sumter, was where 45,000 Union soldiers were imprisoned. This was four times the capacity of what it should have been! Of those 45,000 nearly 13,000 died from scurvy, dysentery, or diarrhea.
Andersonville was commanded by Major Henry Wirz. Wirz was later tried and executed for war crimes. To find out more about Major Wirz click the link above.
Providence Spring is a fresh water spring that was formed in 1864! It is still there. The website I linked to says that the spring formed by divine intervention. The park rangers told us that there was a storm and lightning struck the ground forming the spring. The divine intervention story could work too though!
Inside of Providence Spring
The gate to the prison
back corner of the prison
Prisoners made shelters to protect themselves from the elements.
. Prisoners that tried to escape or rebel were put in the stocks.
To see photos from when Andersonville was in use click here.
Andersonville is also home to the National Prisoner of War Museum. In the museum you will find information about all the wars and their prisoners of war!
Have you ever been to Andersonville?
