1. Overcrowding: Andersonville was severely overcrowded, with an estimated 33,000 prisoners held at its peak capacity in 1864. The prison grounds were approximately 26 acres in area, leading to severe overcrowding and unsanitary conditions.
2. Lack of Food: The food rations provided to the prisoners were insufficient and of poor quality. They primarily consisted of cornmeal, which was often infested with worms, and occasionally some bacon or vegetables. The prisoners were often forced to eat rats, insects, and other animals to survive.
3. Disease: Due to malnutrition, poor sanitation, and lack of medical care, disease spread rapidly among the prisoners. Dysentery, scurvy, and typhoid fever were common, with an estimated 13,000 deaths from disease alone during the prison's existence.
4. Exposure to the Elements: Andersonville was exposed to the harsh elements of the Georgia climate. During the hot summer months, temperatures could reach up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and during the winter, temperatures could drop below freezing. The prisoners had no adequate shelter and were forced to endure these extreme temperatures without proper clothing or blankets.
5. Lack of Sanitation: The prison grounds were filthy, with human waste accumulating due to the lack of latrines and proper sanitation facilities. The overcrowded conditions, combined with the lack of hygiene, contributed to the spread of disease.
6. Brutal Treatment: The camp's commander, Captain Henry Wirz, and his subordinates were known for their brutal treatment of prisoners. Prisoners were often subjected to physical abuse, including beatings and torture. Wirz was eventually tried and executed for his role in the mistreatment of prisoners.
The conditions at Andersonville and other Confederate prisons during the Civil War showcased the inhumane treatment and disregard for human rights that existed during the conflict. The horrors of these prisons have left a lasting legacy in American history.