Andersonville was a Confederate prison camp that was notorious for its harsh conditions. The prisoners were held in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions and were given little food or water. Many died from disease, starvation, or exposure. Josiah Quincy was one of the lucky ones who survived. He was released from Andersonville in February 1865 and returned to his home in Boston.
Josiah Quincy's experience at Andersonville had a profound impact on his life. He wrote a book about his experiences, which was published in 1866. The book was a bestseller and helped to raise awareness of the conditions in Confederate prisons. Quincy also became an advocate for prison reform and worked to improve conditions for prisoners of war.