Andersonville in Macon County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Escape Tunnels

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2011

1. Escape Tunnels Marker

Inscription. The ground at this end of the prison is pocked with deep holes - either tunnels or wells. Overcrowding disguised the digging. Beneath the sea of tattered shelters, prisoners could work undetected with mess plates, spoons,and canteen halves.

It is tempting to call every excavation an escape tunnel, but many may have been wells. With the camp stream lethally polluted, the search for fresh water was as urgent as the need to escape.

"Just as it was coming light in the east we heard dogs after us. In a few moments the hounds came up with us and began smelling of us. Pretty soon five mounted rebels arrived on the scene of action. They laughed to think we expected to get away."
John L. Ransom, 9th Michigan Cavalry, April 26, 1864

Some tunnels emerged beyond the stockade walls, but nearly all who tunneled free were recaptured. Most of Andersonville's approximately 300 successful escapees eluded guards while on work details outside the stockade.

(top right caption)
Concrete markers indicated sites where other wells and tunnels have been discovered. Most have been filled in by the park staff to help preserve the integrity

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of the historic features.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 26, 1864.

Location. 32° 11.79′ N, 84° 7.718′ W. Marker is in Andersonville, Georgia, in Macon County. It is on Prison Site Road east of Cemetery Road, on the right when traveling east. This historical marker is just east of the residential area of the village of Andersonville, in a National Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Andersonville GA 31711, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2011

2. Escape Tunnels Marker

Close-up view of the illustration on the historical marker showing escaped prisoners being chased by tracking dogs and a mounted search party.

of this marker: Patriotic Work of the National Woman's Relief Corps (a few steps from this marker); Gettysburg Address (within shouting distance of this marker); Lizabeth A. Turner (within shouting distance of this marker); Father Peter Whelan (within shouting distance of this marker); Clara Barton (within shouting distance of this marker); Monuments and Memories (within shouting distance of this marker); Rhode Island (within shouting distance of this marker); Michigan (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Andersonville.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2011

3. Escape Tunnels Marker

Another close-up view of an illustration on the historical marker showing escaping prisoners being tracked down by dogs and a mounted search party.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2011

4. Escape Tunnels Marker

A close-up view of an illustration showing prisoners attempting to tunnel their way out of the prison at Andersonville.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2011

5. Escape Tunnels Marker

View of historical marker in front of fenced in area where one of the supposed tunnels was located.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2011

6. Escape Tunnels Marker

Another view of the historical marker in front of the fenced in area surrounding one of the supposed tunnels, with a view of some of the monuments and memorials that are located to the southeast of the historical marker.

Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, November 8, 2008

7. Escape Tunnels Marker

Remains of the dug tunnel inside the wrought iron fence, located next to the Marker.

Escape Tunnels Marked by Concrete Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, November 8, 2008

8. Escape Tunnels Marked by Concrete Markers

Concrete markers indicated sites where other wells and tunnels have been discovered. Most have been filled in by the park staff to help preserve the integrity of the historic features.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2018. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,572 times since then and 74 times this year. Last updated on February 25, 2018, by T. Patton of Jefferson, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 2, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 7, 8. submitted on October 1, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.