Civil War Prison Camps

Mary Beth Elliott and Anna

Christiansen
 How Many Camps Were Established?

• More than 150 prison camps were established

during the Civil War.
 5 Union Prisons
• Alton Prison
• Fort Delaware
• Fort McHenry
• Camp Chase
• Camp Douglas
 5 Confederate Prisons
• Andersonville
• Belle Isle
• Libby Prison
• Danville Prison
• Castle Thunder
 Union Prisons
• Fort Delaware was completed in 1859 on Pea Patch Island. General Albin F.
Schoepf, commandant of Fort Delaware Civil War Prison, was dreaded by
the Confederates. Most of the prisoners were from Gettysburg. Almost
13,000 of the prisoners were in horrible condition because the water was
putrefied and food was scarce. The prisoners were starving, and a
sergeant would sometimes throw cleaned rats down to them to eat.
 Confederate Prisons
• The Cahaba Federal Prison was located near Cahaba, Alabama
at the banks of the Alabama and Cahaba Rivers. It was
designated as a cotton warehouse, but held 5,000 Union
prisoners from 1863-1865. It had a tall brick wall surrounding
it, and inside, the prisoners slept in old buildings with no
bedding. The water was very polluted from the sewers of the
town and prison.
 “Confederate States Of America” Rules
• 1. Roll would be called every day at 7 A.M. and 5 P.M. from the officer of
the guard.
• 2. Guards were not allowed to talk to or trade with the prisoners.
• 3. No letters or packages would be passed into the prison without being
examined by the commanding officer.
 What Were They Fed?
• Prisoners of Civil War prison camps were
usually fed pickled beef, salted pork, rice,
cornmeal or bean soup. They had no fruits or
vegetables, which led to many diseases within
the camps. Some inmates hunted rats because
they were starving.
 How Many Died?
• Approximately 56,000 men died in Civil War
prison camps.
Andersonville Concentration Camp
• Andersonville in Georgia, became notorious for its overcrowding,
starvation, disease, and cruelty. The death rate was higher than any other
Civil War Prison Camp. The superintendent, Captain Henry Wirz, was
heartless and cruel. The Confederate War Department suggested that the
majority of the prisoners be moved to other prison camps.