HELLMIRA

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 This picture shows a Union prison camp in upstate New York with Confederate prisoners lined up. The overcrowded Elmira camp, or (Hellmira) as the Rebels called it, held more than 12,000 prisoners during the war; 25 percent died (2,963) primarily from malnutrition, poor sanitation, and exposure to harsh winters.” This is only one of many Union POW camps in the North. Unless you are a serious student of the Civil War most people have not heard of these camps and the horrible conditions. Most people have heard about the the notorious Confederate camp at Andersonville where over 13.000 Union soldiers died from disease, starvation and cruelty. At least the South had some excuse because they were unable to care adequately for their own soldiers much less prisoners. The North had no excuse for their neglect and mistreatment of Southern prisoners. These prisoners died in the midst of plenty.

Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 3, 2015 at 3:38 AM

    War is hell, even if you survive. I guess it's better to be a POW, than to die in battle.

    ReplyDelete

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