Andersonville in Macon County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The "Sinks"
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, November 8, 2008
1. The "Sinks" Marker
This downstream end of Stockade Branch was the site of the camp "sinks" or latrines. According to the Confederates' original plan, prisoners would get drinking water upstream and use latrines downstream, where the current would flush sewage out of camp.
Inadvertently, the prison was designed for death. Stockade posts slowed the drainage, and during dry spells the creek became more swamp than flowing stream. Dysentery swept the camp.
"Our new camp was on the two steep hillsides, at the base of which was a great quagmire. This was ditched through the center with a narrow, shallow stream, which was very sluggish on account of the small supply of water and the slight descent of the ground."
Charles C. Fosdick, 5th Iowa Infantry, February 26, 1864
(caption)
Confederate A.J. Riddle took this photograph of the latrines in August 1864. Though living space was at a premium, five to six acres near the creek remained vacant.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the If You've Got to Go... series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 26, 1864.
Location. 32° 11.549′ N, 84° 7.698′
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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 the North Atlantic Region, 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 of this marker: View from a Pigeon-Roost (approx. 0.2 miles away); Providence Spring (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Tight Stockade (approx. 0.2 miles away); The North Gate (approx. 0.2 miles away); World of Lost Spirits (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Commandant's Perspective (approx. 0.2 miles away); Stockade Branch (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Prison Hospital (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 "Sinks" Marker
View of the stream from the marker.
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, November 8, 2008
3. The "Sinks" Marker
View of the stream and area mentioned on the Marker.
Photographed by Miller, vol. VII, p. 75, August 17, 1864
4. Andersonville Prison, Ga., August 17, 1864. South east view of stockade
Courtesy Library of Congress (LC-B816-8217)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,000 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 1, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
