History of Andersonville Prison, Revised Edition

By: Ovid L. Futch, Michael P. Gray - introduction

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

In February 1864, 500 Union prisoners of war arrived at the Confederate stockade at Anderson Station, Georgia. Andersonville, as it was later known, would become legendary for its brutality and mistreatment, with the highest mortality rate--more than 30 percent--of any Civil War prison. Fourteen months later 32,000 men were imprisoned there. Most of the prisoners suffered greatly because of poor organization, meager supplies, the federal government's refusal to exchange prisoners, and the cruelty of men supporting a government engaged in a losing battle for survival. Who was responsible for allowing so much squalor, mismanagement, and waste at Andersonville?

Looking for an answer, Ovid Futch cuts through charges and countercharges that have made the camp a subject of bitter controversy. He examines diaries and firsthand accounts of prisoners, guards, and officers and both Confederate and federal government records (including the transcript of the trial of Capt. Henry Wirz, the alleged "fiend of Andersonville").

First published in 1968, this groundbreaking volume has never gone out of print.

©1968 the Board of Commissioners of the State Institutions of Florida. Reprinted 1999 by the University Press of Florida. Revised edition copyright 2011 by the Estate of Ovid L. Futch. (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Interesting topic and perspective.

They should make all high school students learn of these things. When appropriation discussions are discussed, what about these people then?

Prison Life in Georgia...No Picnic!

If you're a student of the Civil War like me you may or may not find yourself drawn to certain titles, or topics, and even certain authors. I don't really care for the Battles and Leaders aspect since they essentially had little to do with the fighting. First-hand accounts, stories written by the enlisted are what peaks my interest so when I saw this opportunity t learn how the horrors of the Georgia prison was lived by those whom lived it, I had to give it a try. I was not dissapointed!

From the start, the reader is given a brief history of how the prison came to be and what the Confederate Army had in store for the captured Federals. The book then goes into great detail explain every aspect of the the life lived by those inside, and even about those who didn't. Tragic! Unlike many books i've read on the subject, this title goes right to the root of the problem, and how the Rebels failed those captured on many, many fronts. It even detail the many internal threats including the infamous Raiders, and varying other thieves and scoundrels housed within.

And all is told in the steady, calming voice of Grover Gardner whom I see as the perfect orator for any historical text. He's a marvel!

If you read about the Civil War, and are as interested as I am regarding the common soldier, the boys whom actually did the living and fighting, put this title in your queue, or on your shelf. you will not be dissapointed!

Overall a good read.

Off to a slow start but this is a very detailed account of the horrors of Andersonville (Camp Sumter.) As one of the few books on the subject it is a good place to start.