I don’t know of a war where there haven’t been some atrocities on both sides. I still believe the South was in the right on the issue of States rights and the legality of secession, but the Andersonville prison left an indelible stain on its legacy. Total war is wrought with depravity.
Andersonville is one of the best examples of corrupt history becoming believed by all. First of all, the prison really was awful. Abraham Lincoln was just about totally responsible. First he stopped prisoner exchanges. The South had almost nothing to give the prisoners. The commandant asked the Union if they would supply medicines etc. Lincoln refused.
Northern prisons were actually even worse than Andersonville. The big difference was the North brutalized Southern prisoners on purpose. There was one in Chicago which was probably the worst prison on either side.
The prison with the highest death rate of any Civil War prison was at Rock Island, Illinois.
I read the book years ago, still recall the atrocities today.
I read the book years ago, still recall the atrocities today.
First, there were no documented atrocities by any Confederate field army. The commanders were manic on preventing looting, rape and theft. Second, Andersonville came about because Grant cancelled the policy of paroling prisoners. Yes, the conditions were horrible but not any more so than the federal prison near what became the Chicago Stockyards.
Don’t forget Fort Pillow.
Unfortunately, Andersonville doesn’t actually stand out in it’s depravity, Union prisons were just as bad sometimes, but not as publicized.
Kindle has many great free books available
about the Civil War, many of them being autobiographies and diaries.
Have read about 5 dealing with Andersonville and it never ceases to amaze me how cruel humans can be to each other.
Total war is wrought with depravity.
War should be executed in a manner which is vicious, brutal and short. Viciousness and brutality will ensure it is short.
I would have been in a pickle.
Slavery bad. Andersonville horrible. Secession fine. Plus I live in Texas... I’d probably just shut up on politics
Before you get all wee wee upped about Andersonville read about a little place called Point Lookout Maryland.