Andersonville National Historic Site
The Georgia Peanut Tour visited the Andersonville National Historic Site in Andersonville, Ga. Andersonville, also known as Camp Sumter, was a Confederate prison camp during the Civil War where over 45,000 Union soldiers were held over the course of 14 months. The prison, which was intended for only 10,000 prisoners, was built in 1864 and was commanded by Captain Henry A. Wirz. The Confederate government could not provide ample food, shelter, medical care, or water to the prisoners. The camp was closed down in the summer of 1865, but by then 13,000 Union soldiers died from overcrowding, malnutrition, disease, poor sanitation, or exposure. Today, the public can view the actual prison camp in which the stockade walls are still standing, the National Prisoner of War Museum, and the Andersonville National Cemetery where over 18,000 deceased veterans are buried.