What were the conditions for prisoners at Andersonville (make sure to discuss crowding, disease and food and water supply and try to make it short)
1 answer
The conditions for prisoners at Andersonville during the American Civil War were extremely dire. The prison was overcrowded, with a capacity of 10,000 but holding over 30,000 prisoners at its peak. The lack of space meant that prisoners had to huddle together in unsanitary and cramped conditions. This overcrowding, paired with poor hygiene practices, led to the rapid spread of diseases such as dysentery, scurvy, and gangrene. The prisoners suffered from malnutrition due to insufficient and poor-quality food supply, which included contaminated and rancid meat. The water supply was also contaminated, contributing to the rampant spread of diseases. This combination of crowding, disease, and inadequate food and water supply made Andersonville one of the most brutal prison camps of the Civil War.