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Andersonville Prison
Andersonville Prison
Facts!
Prisoners of war who cross the fence surrounding the prison were shot by pigeon roosts.
The line was know as the " dead line."
"Pigeon roosts" were people who sat high above the fence line every 90 feet ready to shoot anyone who crossed then line.
Also known as camp Sumter
Opened in February 1864.
The first prisoner was brought in late February
The most people held in Andersonville Prison at any time was over 33,000 in August 1864.
26,000 men were all fit into the prison which was originally meant for 10,000.
John McElroy wrote:
"Five hundred men moved silently toward the gates that would shut out life and hope for most of them forever. Quarter of a mile from the railroad we came into a massive palisade with great squared logs standing upright in the ground. Fires blazed up and showed us a section of these and two massive wooden gates with heavy iron hinges and bolts. They swung open as we stood there and we passed through into the space beyond. We were at Andersonville."
Almost 13,000 people died from disease, poor sanitation, malnutrition, overcrowding or exposure to elements.
By Carissa & Abbie
The End
When Belle Isle Prison in Richmond, Virginia became overcrowded, prisoners were taken to Andersonville Prison.
The prisoner's burial ground is now a National Cemetery and contains 13,737 graves, of which 1,040 are marked unknown.
More Facts!
Andersonville Prison held more prisoners at one time than any other war camps.
13,700 men died within thirteen months!
In November 1863, Captain W. Sidney Winder was sent to find a suitable location for the Prison.
Andersonville, Georgia was the chosen location because of the nearby railroad system and a good water source.
The prisoner's burial ground is now a National Cemetery and contains 13,737 graves
The prison covered about 16.5 acres of land which was also enclosed by a 15 foot tall fence.
By Carissa & Abbie
It was built in early 1864 after Confederate officials decided to move the large number of Federal prisoners in and around Richmond to a place of greater security and more abundant food
By Carissa & Abbie