Andersonville

Andersonville was chosen for a prison site because of its inland remoteness and its safe distance from coastal raids and there were little opposition from the citizens of the area.

Designed for 10,000 but held over 

30,000 prisoners

Prisoners suffered from swarms of insects, filth, and disease generated by the contaminated water supply of the creek

The mortality rate was the highest of any other prisons during the Civil War. 13,000  out of 45,000 prisoners died there, chiefly of malnutrition the conditions failed to provide adequate supplies of living conditions for the inmates or even for the staff

Henry Wirz

Prisoners did little to improve the miserable conditions. They polluted their only water source, wells were covered because of people trying to escape, gathering firewood was forbidden because 

prisoners tried to escape when they were let out, and they robbed one another and formed gangs.

Henry Wirz was the commander of the prison, although he wasn't well liked by the guards or the prisoners and he was disrespected by them. He was executed for war crime, and he was the only person executed for war crime.

In August, 1864, prison population declined because prisoners were moved because of Sherman's March, ending the lives of many captured soldiers.

Militia replaced the infantry when they left and they had a deadline to maintain control. If a prisoner attempted to cross over their boundary, they were usually shot and punished. 

Today, Andersonville is a cemetery and a historical sight, honoring all the fallen soldiers.