Tragedy in Andersonville

Andersonville National Historic Site today comprises three distinct components; the former site of Camp Sumter military prison, the Andersonville National Cemetery and the National Prisoner of War Museum which opened in 1998 to honor all U.S. prisoners of war in all wars.

Not far from Plains is the Prisoner of War camp, Camp Sumter military prison at Andersonville, used during the Civil War. During the 14 months the stockade prison existed, more than 45,000 Union solders were confined here. Of these, almost 13,000 died here. The prison was designed for 10,000 prisoners but eventually held as many as 32,000 men. The conditions were horrible, prisoners wounded, starving with rampant disease, contaminated water, minimal shelter from the blazing sun and chilling winter rain.

This sculpture conveys the horrible experience for prisoners at this place.

Andersonville National Cemetery has been used continuously since its founding and currently averages over 150 burials a year.

National Cemetery with thousands of Civil War grave markers

Entrance to the National Cemetery

Apt sculpture