This historic maker about the earthwork defenses around Andersonville Prison is located at Andersonville National Historic Site at Andersonville GA.
The marker reads as follows:
"Please do not climb on the earthworks. Help preserve the few surviving original features of Andersonville prison.
EARTHWORK DEFENSES
Half the cannon faced outward to defend against Union cavalry raids - spinoffs from Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign. The other half were loaded with canister and trained on the prison grounds.
When the prison was operating, deep ditches fronted the earthworks. Palisades closed the rear of these V-shaped gun emplacements.
Time and erosion have modified the elaborate earthwork defenses, but the outlines are still visible. As you tour Andersonville, study the system of defenses, including the rifle-pits and Star Fort. The design reflects the prison officers' state of mind -- the fear of uprising from the inside and attack from the outside.
“We have here largely over 24,000 prisoners of war, and 1,205 very raw troops -- with the measles prevailing, badly armed and worse disciplined -- to guard them. With the present force, a raid on the post would almost of necessity be successful.”
-- Brig. Gen. John Henry Winder, Prison Commander""
From the National Park Service: (
visit link)
National Prisoner of War Museum
Hours of operation
The National Prisoner of War Museum, which also serves as the park's visitor center, opens at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 4:30 p.m. It is open every day of the week year-round, except on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
Park Grounds
The park grounds are open daily from 8:00 am until 5:00 p.m., allowing access to the National Prisoner of War Museum, the historic prison site and the Andersonville National Cemetery. The park grounds including the National Prisoner of War Museum and the historic prison site are closed only three days per year: New Years Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Andersonville National Cemetery
The National Cemetery is open every day of the year from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. On New Years Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day access to the National Cemetery is provided through the Cemetery Entrance Gate."