The Infamous Civil War Prison Andersonville Essay

Statues and shrines of Our Lady of Consolation can be found in thousands of cities around the world. Constructed of marble, wood, or other stone, these replicas hold a special aura about them. One such sculpture of Our Lady of Consolation, located in Leopold, Indiana, has a fascinating history entirely its own. July 4, 2002 marked the 135th year since the statue had reached the shores of America (Hackmann 1). As the result of a promise, the replica of Our Lady found its new home in southern Indiana. Following their capture and shipment to the horrid Civil War prison at Andersonville, four young men—Isidore Naviaux, Henry Devillez, Lambert Rogier, and Xavier Rogier—endured appalling conditions and made an oath to pay tribute to Our

Andersonville was a Confederate prison built in 1864 at Andersonville, Georgia. It was designed to hold Union prisoners of war during the Civil War. It was official named was Camp Sumter, however it’s better known as Andersonville. It was built from the ground up by local slave labor. At the time it was 10 ½ acres long and designed to hold about 10,000 men. The camp was enclosed out of 15 to 17 inch hewed pine logs. Along the walls were guard towers (referred to as pigeon roosts by the inmates) placed every 90 feet around the stockade walls.

General Pierre Beauregard, commander of Confederate troops at the Battle of First Bull Run and second-in-command during the Battle of Shiloh, commented that the enemy was given "...the most surprising surprise" but the delays allowed Union reinforcements to take their place on the battlefield beside their comrades and drive the rebels back after two days of fighting. No ground was gained, no strategic town was taken, no supply depot was sacked, but the Union victory did force the evacuation of Confederate troops from much of Tennessee and split the rebel forces along the lines formed by the Mississippi River.

Tennessee is known for having quite a few battles take place on its soil. One of them being a battle called Battle of Stones River. The battle took place in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and only lasted three days, it started on December 31 and ended on January 2, 1863. I chose to go see this battle site because it was really close to where I live so I thought it would be really interesting. I prepared myself by reading some articles and I also looked at some pictures just to give myself an idea of what happened.

The Battle of Shiloh is also called The Battle of Pittsburg Landing and was fought April 6-7, 1862. The battle took place in southwest Tennessee, the western theater. An army known as the Army of Tennessee, lead by Ulysses Grant, advanced into Tennessee territory by route of the Tennessee River. While they were camped deep in Tennessee territory the Confederate Army of Mississippi launched a surprise attack on General Grant and his soldiers. General Albert Sidney Johnston and his second-in-command P. G. T. Beauregard initiated the first assault on the Union troops. Unfortunately General Johnston was mortally wounded. General Beauregard decided not to continue the attack throughout the evening. In the morning Grant’s army having been reinforced

When one turns on the television today they are made witness to all the crimes that are present in society. It is impossible to sit through thirty-five minutes of news without anger and rage becoming aroused. This is because society is bothered by infinitesimal paraphernalia. Society also believes in human rights and punishment for those who violate such rights. Yet what constitutes humanity? Ever sit there and watch the news and wonder just how far humanity reaches? When is it time to say this is a human rights violation? Every wonder when someone’s morals and ethics begin to effect their ability to do their job? Ever wonder why in every news story the “bad guy” always become caught? Ever wonder how many

On November 26, 1862, the Union army arrived in Falmouth, Virginia and across the Rappahannock River was Fredericksburg where the Confederate forces had fortified the hills behind the city. They would stay in Falmouth until December 11 when they bombarded Fredericksburg on December 13 and moved into the destroyed city, but the Confederates were in the hills. The next day the 44th New York, Orsell’s regiment joined the Third Brigade as they attempted to capture the Confederate’s position. They moved through the hills and ravine trying to avoid sniper and cannon fire, but they had to take cover behind a small rise in the ground and spend the night there in the mud. The next morning, December 14, after thirty hours of being in battle the Third

In Sumter County, where Andersonville is located, Camp Sumter was operated by Major Henry Wirz known as the superintendent of the prison from February 1864 to May 1865. On November 1863, Confederate authorities chose Andersonville as a prison site for the Union soldiers. Camp Sumter was one of the biggest prisons for the Union soldiers during the time of the Civil War. On February 1864, all the Union soldiers were placed at the camp without any shelter or supplies. When supply was finally provided, the supply still wasn't enough for the Union soldiers. The Union soldiers outweighed the supply even when they had enough the supply. More Union soldiers were continually coming to the prison. Many Union soldiers died due to the lack of wellness

However it wasn’t over yet, seventy men who were a part of the Fifth Regiment New York Cavalry, that was posted in the rear came to the rescue. Under the command of Major Hammond, the men came upon the rebels from behind just as they had did the First Virginia Cavalry in their sneak attack. Shortly after, a running fight ensued between both sides. The fight continued for about five to seven miles down the side of the railroad. So, the men followed the rebels in every direction possible, killing and wounding a substantial amount of soldiers. Mosby being one of the wounded, was reported shot in the shoulder, resulting in the compromise of his force with the exception of twenty. However the end didn’t come until the fight made its way toward Warrenton “all the prisoners taken by Mosby were recaptured, with the exception of two.” Not only that but Major General Stahel believes if their horses had “been in better condition, and not tired out by the service of the last few days, Mosby, nor a single one of his men, would’ve escaped.” But despite the horses being tired out, and them being outnumbered the First Virginia and Fifth Regiment New York managed to come out with a crazy victory. On the other had, the rebels suffered a tragic loss. Their men were murdered and scattered along the road from Warrenton Junction to Warrenton. However besides those killed, many were immediately removed from the fields and woods by citizens who lived

By the first evening advance elements of the army reached Fairfax courthouse. The few Confederate pickets there quickly retreated. On the 18th the first elements reached the hamlet of Centerville. A brigade was sent out from Centerville to reconnoiter the confederate lines, they found the confederates and lost 80 men. General McDowell brought up the balance of his forces.

Nathan Bedford Forrest (1821-1877) Confederate general, Forrest was a wealthy citizen of Memphis. Though he did not have any formal Military training, Forrest became a lieutenant general. Serving as a cavalry officer he fought at numerous battles including Chickamauga, Second Franklin, Brice’s Crossroads and the Battle of Shiloh. Nathan Forrest was relentless in stopping the Union forces during the Vicksburg campaign in 1862 and 1863. Forrest is also remembered for his involvement in the Battle of Fort Pillow in April 1864. Forrest equipped an entire unit at his own expense and issued this call to arms “I wish none but those who desire to be actively engaged. COME ON BOYS, IF YOU WANT A HEAP OF FUN AND TO KILL SOME YANKEES.” During a skirmish

Jourdon Anderson a former slave who was freed from a Tennessee plantation, responded to Colonel P.H. Anderson his former master letter wanting him to return to his estate was eloquently written as he expresses his feeling, thoughts and memory. One would think that a slave who is assumed illiterate and having no formal education would not be able to pen such a letter.

Grant hesitates to give command on troops marching across the Appomattox River on a cannon barrage that would kill hundreds. Instead of killing the Confederates, he wants to capture them. Lee’s men reach their destination on April 4th at the Amelia Court House after two consecutive days. While General Grant and his men are on the move to cut off Lee, Lincoln is headed for Richmond to finally conquer what he always dreamed of, raising the American flag high over Richmond.

An important question to ask is what really is liberation, and who does it apply to? Liberation is defined as “an act of setting someone free from imprisonment, slavery or oppression” (dictionary.com). The importance of liberation is having ‘freedom’ from any subjugation, but that freedom has been taken away slowly, and instead hurdling forward towards a time where capitalism is more important than freedom and equity. Keeanga- Yamahtta Taylor questions, “What would constitute the ‘radical reconstruction’ of American society?” After the Civil War and the abolishment of slavery, people were heading towards a new time of Radical Reconstruction (1865-1877). But, opportunities for former slaves had been sabotaged by the Compromise of 1877. From then the Black community were left exposed and unprotected by terrorists racial groups (Robinson). To go forward, and away from such oppression, movements have been created to cease unfair treatments from theses racial groups. In recent years, Black Lives Matter has been the slogan to stop and fight against the brutality that affected African Americans for generations. Today, history is repeating itself, or that it has never been fully resolved. With the recent Presidential election of Donald Trump and his bigotry viewpoint against communities (black, gays, females, immigrants, etc.) will reconstruct a prejudice society, increasing the troubles of the United States. Black liberation is not only for Black people, but also for those who

When it became apparent to the Confederate leaders that mountaineers were deserting the Confederate Army in large numbers, laws were passed that would punish deserters and their families. Additionally Confederate soldiers were dispatched to catch the deserters to enforce the recently passed laws. Once word got out the deserters were being hunted down and punished, the bond between most mountaineers began to thicken. They would hide each other’s men during the day so that Confederate soldiers couldn’t find them. Then come nightfall the soldiers would continue their journeys home. Resentment for mountaineers soon grew and punishments for deserters were soon executed on the spot without the written authorization of the proper military powers. Punishments included on the spot execution, extreme beating and torture, robbing their houses, raping and/or beating their wives and children. This only served to expand the differences between mountaineers and the rest of the southerners and increased the number of desertions by mountaineer men.