Andersonville Prison

In the heart of no man's land, Georgia, lies the Andersonville Prison National Park. During the Civil War, Andersonville was used as a war prison for captured Union soldiers. It is also probably the most inhumane prison to ever be used in the United States. Prisoners were given small rations of coarse food, which caused stomach and bowel problems, leading to disease and undernourishment. Many men lost up to 80 pounds in their time at Andersonville. This meant that prisoners died by the hundreds, then they were carted off in a wagon full of other remains. This was the same wagon used to deliver prisoners' food, which most likely led to the diseased food. Prisoners lived in "shebangs" or small shelters most build by hand, using sticks, stones, logs, vines, and other assorted materials stitched together to make somewhat of a shelter. Many gamblers and traders came to Andersonville to get money from the soldiers, but also to provide goods and money to those who paid or won bets. In the winters, there was barley any wood for fires, some prisoners using twigs the size of matches to cook and try to stay warm. Many men traded and bid for other men's food and molasses, because such little food was given out. There was no soap or anything to wash their clothes or body with. Many Confederate recruiting officers came and told the prisoners 'there country had betrayed them' and tried to persuade them to join, but almost every prisoner said no, because they did not want to dishonor the Union.