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Andersonville: Hell on Earth
The most notorious prison of the American Civil War
In warfare, it is not uncommon for prisoners to be taken after a battle. In ancient times, these prisoners might be executed, sacrificed, enslaved, or ransomed. In more modern times, these prisoners of war (POWs) tend to be imprisoned either until the war’s end or for a prisoner exchange.
In the ideal cases, these POWs are treated well. There are rules outlined in the Geneva Conventions on how POWs are to be treated, which were adopted in the 1930s and officially adopted in 1949. This includes care for health, labor, terms of release, and humane treatment. Of course, these rules are not always followed, and violators face criminal charges.
During the American Civil War, prison camps were used to house enemy combatants. In many cases, the prisoners were treated well. However, as the war continued, supplies ran short, especially in the South. Hunger and disease were constant threats, and many captive soldiers died.
At the time of the Civil War, the concept of a prisoner-of-war camp was still new. It was not until 1863 that President Lincoln demanded a code of conduct be instituted to guarantee prisoners of war an entitlement to food and medical treatment and to protect them from enslavement, torture, and murder.
