Andersonville, also known as Camp Sumter, was a Confederate prisoner-of-war camp located in Georgia during the American Civil War. It operated from February 1864 to April 1865 and is infamous for its brutal conditions and high death toll.
The camp was designed to hold around 10,000 prisoners, but it quickly became overcrowded, with the number of inmates reaching over 30,000 at its peak. The prisoners, largely Union soldiers, suffered from severe lack of shelter, adequate food, clean water, and medical care.
The conditions in Andersonville were horrendous. The prisoners lived in cramped, unsanitary quarters and were exposed to extreme heat, humidity, and insect infestation. Disease, such as dysentery and scurvy, spread rapidly, contributing to the high mortality rate. The lack of clean water caused dehydration and further health complications. The prisoners were also subjected to abuse and neglect from the Confederate guards.
As a result of these appalling conditions, approximately 13,000 prisoners died in Andersonville in just over a year. The mortality rate was amplified by the limited capacity of the camp's burial grounds, leading to mass graves and shallow burial pits.
After the war, the camp's commander, Captain Henry Wirz, was arrested and tried for war crimes related to the atrocious conditions at Andersonville. He was found guilty and executed in 1865, becoming the only person convicted and hanged for war crimes during the Civil War.
Andersonville serves as a tragic symbol of the inhumane treatment and suffering endured by prisoners of war during the American Civil War.
What happened during andersonville. summarize the event
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