Bird's-Eye View of Andersonville Prison from the South-East.

In lower right corner, "Sparks from the Camp Fire." The concept of enemy prisoner of war camps was a new idea at the time of the American Civil War. Previously soldiers that surrendered on the battlefield were often paroled. These soldiers were expected to return home and lay down their arms. However, often these men would return home then reenlist to fight again. Though punishments were in place for this, there was no efficient way to keep track of those who violated their parole, thus enemy prisoner of war camps were established. Although prisoners were placed in these camps, often treatment and conditions were so difficult that there was no guarantee that they would survive. The best example from the American Civil War is Andersonville prison camp in Georgia (also known as Camp Sumter). Of the 45,000 Union prisoners received there, 12,913 died there from starvation, malnutrition, diarrhea and disease and violence. After the war, the commandant, Henry Wirz was court-marshalled on charges of conspiracy and murder, found guilty, and hanged.