The Building of Andersonville

        Before the war, Andersonville was just a village.  But when the south kept capturing Union soldiers, they had nowhere to put them. So, I, Captain Richard B. Winder was sent to Andersonville to construct a prison. Getting there in December. of 1863, I decided it would be a perfect spot with it in a deep south location, fresh water, and it being close to the south western railroad. I made a prison design that was about 16.5 acres. This was big enough for 10,000 prisoners. The prison was rectangular with a small creek running through it. The prison’s name was Camp Sumter.  In January 1864, slaves from local farms were commanded to cut down trees and dig ditches for construction. The walls were made from pine logs.  The logs were so tightly packed, you couldn’t see out.  More prisoners started to come to Andersonville in late February 1864.  By June, the population had grown to 20,000.  It was decided to make the prison bigger and by mid-June work was begun.  The north walls were enlarged by 610 ft. It was built by 100 whites and 30 African Americans in about 14 days. By August, 33,000 Union prisoners were held in the 26.5 acre prison.  During the 15 months when Andersonville was operated, almost 13,000 Union soldiers died there.

                I, Captain Richard B. Winder