Andersonville National Historic Site

This prison was ready for battle. The surrounding area had enforcement's and prisoners were forced to help build embankments where confederate's installed these canons. Prisoners were able to see these canons each day an they were often fired to enforce the power of the camp and attempt to keep uprising.

Escape tunnels were a common way of trying to escape. But Andersonville was miles away from any major town, and the large field the camp was located in made it difficult to be unnoticed as you tried to tunnel hundreds of yards. There are two tunnels on site still visible to this day.

In 1907 the legislature of the State of Illinois authorized a monument in memory of the state's 889 known dead at Andersonville.

The final design was the result of a collaboration between sculptor Charles Mulligan and state architect Carbys Zimmerman. The monument features a base and pedestal of Montello granite. The monument commission described the monument as consisting of:

The large figure of Columbia, and beside her Youth and Maiden, representing nations to come, is cast in bronze and stands upon a pedestal of massive Montello granite. Columbia with outstretched hand is pointing to the heroes resting in their graves. Youth and Maiden, listening, gaze in the direction Columbia is pointing. On either wing of the pedestal is carved in bold letters the last clause of President Lincoln's first inaugural address and the last clause of his memorable speech on the battlefield of Gettysburg. The two figures on either side of the pedestal represent veterans of the Civil War standing in sad reflection of memories of the tragedies of the late war. These figures are of Montello granite, the same as the pedestal. The pedestal is 20 feet by 24 feet while the monument stands 18 feet overall.

On December 20, 1912 the Illinois monument was dedicated in the southwest portion of Andersonville National Cemetery.

The cemetery is the final resting place for the Union prisoners who died while being held at Camp Sumter/Andersonville as POWs. The prisoners' burial ground at Camp Sumter has been made a national cemetery. It contains 13,714 graves, of which 921 are marked "unknown".

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Activities

Popular places to visit

Jimmy Carter Peanut

You can find out about the history of Plains when you stop by Jimmy Carter Peanut. Savor the area's restaurants and bars.

Jimmy Carter National Historic Site

Find out about the history of Plains with a stop at Jimmy Carter National Historic Site. Savor the area's restaurants and bars.

Confederate monuments stands in Savannah Forsyth Park, where her soldiers drilled before marching off to war. This impressive monument honored local Civil War veterans

Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park

You can take time to visit Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park during your travels to Cordele. While in this family-friendly area, you can enjoy the restaurants.

Drummer Boy Museum

You can browse the exhibits at Drummer Boy Museum, a museum with a story of its own, during your trip to Andersonville. Savor the area's restaurants and bars.

Statue of Charles Lindbergh

You can find out about the history of Americus with a stop at Statue of Charles Lindbergh. Savor the area's restaurants and bars.

Flint River Hospital

Though Flint River Hospital might be what brings you to town, perhaps you'll have a chance to explore more of Montezuma while you are here.

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