The tragic conditions at Andersonville prisoner of war camp during the Civil War were primarily caused by a combination of overcrowding, inadequate supplies, poor sanitation, and inadequate food rations. As one of the largest Confederate prisoner-of-war camps, Andersonville quickly became overcrowded due to the high number of Union soldiers being captured. This influx far exceeded the camp's designed capacity, which led to severe shortages of food, water, and medical care. Additionally, the camp's management was plagued by poor planning and a lack of resources, which resulted in unsanitary conditions that fostered the spread of disease. The prison's location in a relatively remote area, coupled with the Confederate government's struggles to supply its own troops, hampered the ability to ensure that prisoners received proper sustenance and care. Consequently, these dire conditions contributed to the suffering and high mortality rates among the inmates, with thousands succumbing to malnutrition, disease, and exposure.
Life in the Civil War's Andersonville Prison
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What caused the tragic conditions at Andersonville prisoner of war camp during the Civil War?
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