Andersonville, GA

 

Fort Sumter, Andersonville, GA, is well known for the hardships and deprivations that were suffered there by Union POWs during the Civil War. I must note, with deep regret, that Ft. Sumter was not unique during the Civil War or unique in regards to any war. Hardship and deprivation are characteristics of prison camps. The camp was built in 1864 in order to house prisoners who would be brought here from other camps. More than 45,000 prisoners were moved to this camp and of these men, 29% perished (more than 13,000!). A breakdown in the prisoner exchange program led to the overpopulation of this camp which was intended for no more than 10, 000 men. Provisions were in very short supply. Water was scarce and clean water was nonexistent after a short time. At the end of the war, Capt. Wirz, the camp commander, was prosecuted for war crimes and hanged in Washington D.C. Capt. Wirz was the only person hanged for war crimes committed during the Civil War. Looking back, it would seem that Capt. Wirz probably did the best that he could with few supplies and provisions. The Confederate prison guards also suffered and 115 of them died. The bodies of the guards were later disinterred and reburied in Americus, GA, by the UDC.

Today the National Park Service oversees this National Historic Site which includes a National Cemetery, the site of the prison camp and the National Prisoner of War Museum. An historic drive which encompasses Andersonville and other local sites is called the Andersonville Trail. Nearby Plains, GA, is the home of President Jimmy Carter and his family.

The National Prisoner of War Museum has many interesting exhibits pertaining to all U.S. Wars since the Civil War. Films and artifacts are on display and there is a gift shop where books, post cards and other items may be purchased. The museum also has two computers which are available for visitors so that they may search the Andersonville POW databases. Ex-POWs volunteer as docents.

 

Andersonville Historic Fairs

The Andersonville Guild (1973) is restoring the town to a Civil War village. This society has purchased and/or restored several buildings in Andersonville and has moved other buildings to the town. Among the buildings that have been moved to Andersonville is the Mauk, GA, depot which now serves as the Welcome Center and Museum. The oldest building was the residence of the Dykes family. It was built in 1847 and today is a restaurant. Other buildings include the Old Town Hall, The Post Office (1860), a 100 yr. old country store, the Baptist Church which was moved to Andersonville in 1890 from another location, General Winder's home (c. 1850) and a 7 acre farm. Two Historic Fairs will be held in the town of Andersonville this year:

May 29 & 30, 1999 and October 2 & 3, 1999

The Fairs include crafts demonstrations, mock battles, arts, crafts, antiques and many other activities. The Fairs are sponsored by the Andersonville Guild and the Andersonville Town Council. Further information regarding the fairs can be obtained by contacting the Guild:

Andersonville Guild, P.O. Box 6, Andersonville, GA, 31711

Phone: (912)924-2558

 

 

Recreation of part of the Stockade.

 

 

Andersonville Depot/Welcome Center (c. 1904), Historic Andersonville, GA

Wooden Cross atop the Old Wooden Church (1927), Historic Andersonville, GA

GA Monument (1976) at the Cemetery entrance, a generic memorial to all POWs

Cemetery, View facing the Rostrum

Illinois Monument (1911) in the Cemetery

Iowa Monument (1905) in the Cemetery

Ohio (1901) Monument inside the Stockade

View of the Stockade looking Uphill from Providence Spring

Sculpture at the National POW Museum

Reflection of Rebel soldier in a piano mirror, Depot Museum, Historic Andersonville

Confederate Uniform, GA 55th, Depot Museum, Historic Andersonville

Lady's Aid Society Monument to Several States, Stockade

Tennessee Monument (1915), Stockade

POW Wall, National POW Museum

UDC Capt. Wirz Monument (1909), Historic Andersonville

Wisconsin (1907) Monument, Stockade

Battling Bastards of Bataan Plaque, National POW Museum

Battling Bastards of Bataan Shield, Plaque, National POW Museum

 

Grave of Reese Bayless, TN

Reese Bayless, TN

The exact identity of Reese Bayless is uncertain. It is almost certain that he was a namesake of the Rev. Reese Bayless of Cherokee Creek Baptist Church, Washington Co., TN. The Union soldier who lies here was a Corporal, Co. C, Reg. 2, Grave 6142, Section E. He was captured in Rogersville, TN, Nov. 11, 1863. He died of dysentery Aug. 19, 1864. Harry Nelms has extracted some census records from which we may surmise that this Reese Bayless was most likely Reese, husband of Frances Draper, father of Isaac, Mary Ann, John, William and Reese. This family lived in Knox Co., TN. In 1860 Reese Bayless was a 50 yr. old farmer. He is no longer listed with his family in the 1870 census. Most namesakes of the Rev. Reese can be accounted for but the fate of the gentleman from Knox Co., son of John, grandson of John, is unknown.

Information from the 2nd TN Infantry Complete Roster as extracted by Harry Nelms includes the following:

"Bayless, Reese; Corporal; C; Knox Co. TN; 53; 21 Aug 1861 - 6 Nov 1863. Died in captivity 19 Aug 1864 at Andersonville GA. Left sick at Cumberland Gap and later returned to regiment. Captured at Rogersville. Confined at Belle Isle and Andersonville. Cause of death dysentery. Grave 6142."

Other family members who were imprisoned at Andersonville include the following who were not buried at Andersonville Cemetery:

W. Bayles, TN Infantry, PVT, Co. B., Reg. 4, Squad 1, Mess 1. Exchanged April 1865. Code 50208.

W.R. Bayles, IL Infantry, Corporal, Co. E, Reg. 21. Exchanged Atlanta Sep. 19, 1864. Code 50207.

John C. Bayless, OH Infantry, PVT, Co. C, Reg. 13. Captured Dallas, GA, May 27, 1864. Code 46026.

 

 

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This page was created February 24, 1999. All photos were made with a Sony FD91 digital camera, are the property of Barbara Ribling and may be used freely. If you wish to use any of my photos please notify me so that I may visit your site: mailto:bribling@earthlink.net

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