Millen in Jenkins County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Camp Lawton
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009
1. Camp Lawton Marker
A Confederate Military Prison
built in 1864 to relieve the
overcrowded condition at
Andersonville Prison in Macon
County. Lawton Prison was a
stockade, enclosing 42 acres.
1398 feet by 1329 feet considered
to be the largest in the world.
It was occupied October 10, 1864
but was abandoned the following
November 17 with the approach
of Sherman's army.
Erected by State of Georgia Department of Natural Resources • Division of State Parks Historic Sites & Monuments.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Sherman’s March to the Sea series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 10, 1865.
Location. 32° 52.522′ N, 81° 57.498′ W. Marker is in Millen, Georgia, in Jenkins County. Marker can be reached from Magnolia Springs Drive. Magnolia Springs State Park off US 25, Ga 21/121. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1053 Magnolia Springs Drive, Millen GA 30442, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured
this page online
Regarding Camp Lawton. Camp Lawton was located about five miles from Millen, Georgia, and on the Augusta Railroad. The prison was laid out in the customary style of Confederate prisons with sloping hills at each end and a small stream flowing between the hills. The walls were 15 feet high and sufficient wood was left inside the walls so that the prisoners could construct crude huts. Rations were somewhat better than Andersonville but were still not sufficient to sustain life.
The prison was open for two months. The Lawton cemetery held 784 bodies. These bodies were moved to Beaufort National Cemetery in South Carolina in February 1868. Where Camp Lawton stood in 1868 there is now a state park, Magnolia Springs.
Related markers.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 19, 2009
2. Camp Lawton Marker at Magnolia Springs State Park HQ
Also see . . . Camp Lawton. was a major Civil War prison burned during Sherman's March to the Sea. (Submitted on January 21, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Additional commentary.
1. Great Grand Father Sam was at Camp Lawton
My great grand father, Samuel George Fletcher, a private in the 5th N Y Heavy Artillery and was wounded and captured during the Battle of Piedmont, VA on June 5, 1864. He was moved to Andersonville Prison some time after that and was recorded to have been transferred to Camp Lawton on November 11, 1864. He was exchanged back to the Union at Florence, SC on December 10, 1864 and rejoined the Union at Camp Parole, MD on December 15,1864 at the age of 17 years and two months. Happily for me, he survived and lived until 1920 in Brooklyn, NY after marrying three times and fathering six children. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor
— Submitted March 22, 2009, by Samuel George Fletcher of Williamsburg, Virginia.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009
3. Camp Lawton Interpretive Marker 1
( Lower left )
Andersonville to Millen
As the summer of 1864 wore on, the death rate at Andersonville exploded. Confederate authorities decided to move prisoners from Andersonville to other locations. Winder ordered Captains William S Winder, his son, and D.W. Vowles to find a new site. By early August they had selected a location near Millen.
Many local residents opposed the decision. One complained, "I have no doubt but Captain Winder has had false representation made to him by certain parties in the immediate vincinity of the spot he has selected, and entirely for pecuniary purposes-men who are not in service of the country and never have been, and who care nothing for the interest of the Government or anyone else, so they are putting money in their coffers."
Andersonville to Millen
As the summer of 1864 wore on, the death rate at Andersonville exploded. Confederate authorities decided to move prisoners from Andersonville to other locations. Winder ordered Captains William S Winder, his son, and D.W. Vowles to find a new site. By early August they had selected a location near Millen.
Many local residents opposed the decision. One complained, "I have no doubt but Captain Winder has had false representation made to him by certain parties in the immediate vincinity of the spot he has selected, and entirely for pecuniary purposes-men who are not in service of the country and never have been, and who care nothing for the interest of the Government or anyone else, so they are putting money in their coffers."
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009
4. Camp Lawton Interpretive Marker 1(Lower right )
picture
picture
General John H. Winder
General John H. Winder, a native of Maryland, was in charge of all prisoners in Georgia and Alabama, making his headquarters at Andersonville.
As planning and construction of Camp Lawton progressed, Winder moved his headquarters to Millen. In November he was named Commissary General of all prisons east of the Mississippi River.
( Lower right picture )
Historic American Sheet Music, " Winder Gallop", Music B-448, Duke University Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library
General John H. Winder, a native of Maryland, was in charge of all prisoners in Georgia and Alabama, making his headquarters at Andersonville.
As planning and construction of Camp Lawton progressed, Winder moved his headquarters to Millen. In November he was named Commissary General of all prisons east of the Mississippi River.
( Lower right picture )
Historic American Sheet Music, " Winder Gallop", Music B-448, Duke University Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009
5. Camp Lawton Interpretive Marker 2
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009
6. Camp Lawton Interpretive Marker 2
Illustrated
Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 19, 2009
7. Camp Lawton Interpretive Marker 2
Camp Lawton Gate
Near this spot stood the entrance to Camp Lawton. The gate is seen in the illustration from Leslie's Newspaper. A more accurate interpretation might be a drawing of Andersonville's gate (seen below). courtsey National Park Service
In January 1865, Frank Leslie's published a highly propagandized account of Camp Lawton. Arriving days after Confederates abandoned the prison, Leslie's artist described a stockade of "nearly 15 acres." It was, in fact, 42 acres in size. He also reported that 650 of 3,000 captives had died there.The number of dead reported was fairly accurate, but over 10,000 had been captive. The article concluded," If anything could add dishonor to treason it is inhumanity like that shown towards unhappy captives."
Near this spot stood the entrance to Camp Lawton. The gate is seen in the illustration from Leslie's Newspaper. A more accurate interpretation might be a drawing of Andersonville's gate (seen below). courtsey National Park Service
In January 1865, Frank Leslie's published a highly propagandized account of Camp Lawton. Arriving days after Confederates abandoned the prison, Leslie's artist described a stockade of "nearly 15 acres." It was, in fact, 42 acres in size. He also reported that 650 of 3,000 captives had died there.The number of dead reported was fairly accurate, but over 10,000 had been captive. The article concluded," If anything could add dishonor to treason it is inhumanity like that shown towards unhappy captives."
Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 19, 2009
8. Camp Lawton earthworks as seen today
Sign indicates Fragile earthworks, please no climbing
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009
9. Camp Lawton Earthworks
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009
10. Camp Lawton Earthworks
Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 19, 2009
11. Camp Lawton Earthworks
Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,812 times since then and 153 times this year. Last updated on February 23, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on March 2, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
