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What were the worst prison camps in the north and in the south in the civil war?
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
There are many different selections to chose from. First, the War Between the States prisons were over crowded due to the fact that no one expected the massive casualties that would take place. A casualty was anyone killed, wounded, or captured in a battle or as results of the war. Prisons were often forced to hold double their capacity. Second, most history is distorted by claiming that Andersonville, Ga (a Southern prison) was the worst thing on earth. This seems to be the only prison of the Confederacy that history books can name while the list can go on about the North.
As far as death rates, Camp Douglas=10% a month which was higher than Andersonville, and Elmira dubbed Hellmira, NY was just below Andersonville. The prison surgeon at Elmira used to brag that he was killing more Confederates per week than any Union regiment. As far as worst Northern prisons, Thomas R. Flagel in History Buffs Guide to the Civil War says.......
1. Camp Douglas could take the cake as worst Union prison though. It was supposed to hold 6,000 but often held 12,000 with 4,454 deaths. After Shiloh the prison swelled and was built on a low lying area. Light rain would cause flooding that created stagnant water and filth to gather. The U.S. Sanitary Commission was disgusted by an 1862 visit but camp commanders dismissed their reports. Subzero temperatures and no shelter caused many to become sick and die. It was in operation until 1865.
2. Point Lookout, Maryland was meant to hold 10,000 but at capacity held 22,000. There were roughly 3, 500 deaths. According to Thomas R. Flagel's History Buff's Guide to the Civil War..."In response to the horrid conditions of Confederate prisons, secretary of war Edwin M. Scranton forbade a construction of barracks [ for the abundance or prisoners] at Point Lookout and elsewhere (p. 268)". Flagel also continues that prisoners could access the seafront to feed on dead birds, fish, wharf rats, etc....
3. Elmira, NY was meant to hold 5,000 but held almost 10,000 with around 3,000 deaths. As mentioned, it was nicknamed 'Hellmira' and the prison surgeon took pleasure in killing Confederates. Thousands arrived from Point Lookout with diseases or starved. Flagel says that the prisoners had to use dead rats as currency. Prisoners were often starved as payback for Confederate prison conditions.
The rest of Flagels top 10 worst prison include Fort Deleware, Camp Chase, Rock Island, and Camp Morton. Out of Flagels 10 worst prisons, only two Confederate prisons made the cut.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
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How where civil war prisoners of war treated at south prison camps?
Both the Union and the Confederacy treated prisoner very badly in prison camps. They were starved, lived in horribly unhealthy conditions, abused and killed. After the Civil War, the commander of one Southern prison camp was tried and hanged. No such penalties were applied to comanders of the Northern prsioner camps.
About how many men for both the North and the South were taken as prisoners and placed in camps during the Civil War?
400,000 men
Why was the civil war a victory for the north and draw for the south?
the north achieve its objective while the south.....
Did Ohio fight for the south or the north during the civil war?
North
Was Washington a part of the north or south in the civil war?
The north, you can tell by where it is! :)
How where civil war prisoners of war treated at south prison camps?
Both the Union and the Confederacy treated prisoner very badly in prison camps. They were starved, lived in horribly unhealthy conditions, abused and killed. After the Civil War, the commander of one Southern prison camp was tried and hanged. No such penalties were applied to comanders of the Northern prsioner camps.
How men for both the North and the South were taken as prisoners and placed in camps during the Civil War?
400,000
About how many men for both the North and the South were taken as prisoners and placed in camps during the Civil War?
400,000 men
Who was involved in the Hanoi Hilton prison camps?
The Hanoi Hilton prison camps were primarily used to detain American prisoners of war (POWs) during the Vietnam War. The prisoners were predominantly American military personnel, including pilots and soldiers, who were captured by the North Vietnamese forces. Some prisoners from other countries, such as South Vietnam, South Korea, and Australia, were also held in these camps.
What conditions at prison camps caused so many to suffered behind lines?
Both conditions in the North and the South were dreadful. Most slept in holes scratched in the dirt. Drinking water came from one tiny creek that also served as a sewer. As many as 100 men died per day at Andersonville from starvation, disease and exposure. Around 50,000 men died in Civil War prison camps.
What was the infamous prison in the south called?
The infamous prison in the southern United States is called Alcatraz, located in San Francisco Bay. It was known for housing some of the most notorious criminals in American history.
Who was the north and south in the civil war?
North: Union South: Confederacy
Who fought in the civil war north or the south?
The north and the south fought against each other in the civil war.
The north or the south win the Civil War?
The north won the civil war.
How did the north force the south into a war of exhaustion?
By ending the system of prisoner-exchange. This meant huge overcrowding in the prison-camps. But it also meant that the South could not replace their losses, and the North still could. Grant knew that this would eventually swing the war in Northern favour.
Information on the north against south civil war people?
who are some of the people in civil war north against south?
What did the south do for the north after winning?
If this is civil war related, the north won, not the south. And the north freed the slaves in the south.
