Andersonville in Macon County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Prison Hospital
Third Hospital Site
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, November 8, 2008
1. The Prison Hospital Marker
This empty field was the site of Andersonville's third and last hospital. There were two previous hospitals within nine months.
It did not take prisoners long to realize that few patients returned. Knowing that medicines were in short supply, even the sickest men resisted going to the hospital. They preferred to die among friends and regimental comrades.
"The hospital is a tough place to be in....In some cases before a man is fairly dead, he is stripped of everything, coat, pants, shirt, finger rings (if he has any). These nurses trade to the guards."
John L. Ransom, 9th Michigan Cavalry
April 15, 1864
(captions)
(top right) The third hospital was a cluster of open, barracks-like sheds with a surrounding stockade. Historical maps pinpoint the hospital site.
(bottom right) Prison conditions were so unsanitary that the slightest scratch could provide an entry for deadly microbes. Doctors experimented with local herbs and folk remedies in a desperate attempt to combat rampant infections.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Science & Medicine • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 15, 1864.
Location. 32° 11.523′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Star Fort (within shouting distance of this marker); The Commandant's Perspective (within shouting distance of this marker); Stockade Branch (approx. 0.2 miles away); The North Gate (approx. 0.2 miles away); Providence Spring (approx. 0.2 miles away); The "Sinks" (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Tight Stockade (approx. 0.2 miles away); World of Lost Spirits (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Andersonville.
Also see . . . Andersonville National Historic Site. National Park Service (Submitted on October 2, 2015.)
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, November 8, 2008
2. The Prison Hospital Marker
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, December 26, 2017
3. The Prison Hospital Marker
This view of the marker is towards the north, with a view of almost the entire prison site.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2018. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 362 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 1, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 3. submitted on January 24, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
