Mike and I both had Friday off and decided to get out of the house with Mason. We have been wanting to go to Andersonville for a long time but have never made the trip. Besides, why waste a day off?
Andersonville, or Camp Sumter, is a National Historic Site located near Americus, Georgia. It is about 2.5 hours north of us, but the drive is beautiful and easy. The site was one of the “largest of many Confederate military prisons established during the Civil War” from 1864 to 1865. The conditions there were pure hell. Originally designed to hold only 10,000 prisoners, at one time there were as many as 32,000. Water was scarce and food was more so. By war’s end, in 1865, some 12,000 had died at Andersonville. (Source: National Park Service Brochure, U.S. Department of the Interior)
One of Many Historical Adventures Mason Will be Subjected To
The federal government has developed the site as the National Prisoner of War Museum. This fantastic exhibit is very well done and extremely moving. It does not focus on just the Civil War but on all wars in human history, asking the individual to question what a prisoner of war is, how they should be treated, how this differs from internment and so on. At one point, I found myself crying as I read browsed through the various war-time memorabilia and read letters from prisoners from World War II to their loved-ones back home.
Following the exhibit, Mike, Mason and I walked Camp Sumter’s grounds. Of course, it was excruciatingly hot, but this made us appreciate that much more what the prisoners must have gone through baking in the hot Georgia sun with little water for relief. In fact, what little that had was contaminated. The prison walls are gone today, but states have errected beautiful memorials across the area which are worth noting.
Camp Sumter
History Explorers
Finally, we headed next door to the National Cemetary. It is beautiful and surprisingly peaceful. The United States flags blowing crisply in the wind was a reminded to us of all the blessings that this country has been graced with. I know I said many prayers of thanks throughout the afternoon.
Andersonville National Cemetary
God Bless America, our troops, our leaders, and our President.
