Andersonville Georgia

In the southern portion of Georgia's Presidential Pathways, just north of Americus on Highway 19, is Andersonville Georgia, the location of Anderson Confederate Prison, the notorius 1864 Confederate prison known for overcrowed conditions and prisoner neglect.

The prison was run by Captain Henry Wirz, who was ultimately tried, convicted and hanged by the United States Government. The story of the prison and Captain Wirz was depicted in a 1959 Broadway production, has been immortalized by George C. Scott in a 1971 Emmy award-winning telecast and by John Frankenheimer in a 2004 movie and also told on the History Channel.

Drummer Boy Civil War Museum displays Civil War exhibits that include Civil War uniforms, photographs, guns and swords. A large diorama depicts Anderson Confederate Prison and the Andersonville village in 1864. Andersonville National Historic Site is the site of the National Prisoner of War Museum and preserves the Andersonville National Cemetery. It also features the 15 foot high stockcade where 40,000 Civil War prisoners of war were held.

Anderson Civil War Village features physical reminders of life in Andersonville as it was in 1864. The railroad depot is the site where Confederate prisoners of war arrived for incarceration and the location from which they were marched one quarter mile to Camp Sumter, the Confederate prison. Andersonville was a supply center for Camp Sumter and the location of Captain Wirz' office. The village also contains the Wirz Monument, erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in memory of Captain Henry Wirz.

Tours are available and open to the general public. For more information, contact the Andersonville Welcome Center, 229-924-2558. Nearest hotel: Windsor Hotel in Americus.