Tuesday, April 1, 2014

A is for ANDERSONVILLE

by Kathy Cannon Wiechman

(Kathy’s A to Z blog posts are tidbits of fact gleaned from her research for her historical fiction novel LIKE A RIVER.)

Andersonville is a tiny town not far from Columbus, Georgia. It still looks much as it did 150 years ago, when it became known for the infamous prison camp that was built nearby.

Wirz monument
A monument stands in an Andersonville street that is dedicated to the commandant of the prison. Captain Henry Wirz was tried, convicted, and hanged for atrocities committed there. The Daughters of the Confederacy believed Wirz was a scapegoat, and documents exist which back them up. In 1909, they erected the monument.
Andersonville Visitor Center & Museum

The town also has shops and museums, where one can find historical relics and documents. There are bills of sale for slaves alongside letters written by Civil War officers. It’s a treasure trove for a history buff like me.

17 comments:

  1. It sounds like one of those towns easily overlooked but well worth visiting!

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  2. He may be dead, but his monument lives on...

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    1. As a door nail. But how many door nails have monuments?

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  3. Good start - and we meet again:D

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  4. Oh, how interesting! I once played with an idea for a story involving Andersonville in the Civil War but never really got anywhere with it. Maybe someday though. Love history so I'm looking forward to your theme.

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    1. Hope you will enjoy the posts. And hope your someday happens soon.

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  5. I enjoyed this post. Great post. Interesting!

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  6. I have visited Andersonville and done a little reading about it. Quite sobering.

    Jean, visiting for the A-Z Challenge from Rantings and Ravings of an Insane Writer

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    1. You said it. It's hard to ignore the suffering that took place. Check back for my C post for more details.

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  8. I also love how real, historic places can influence today's fiction. Thanks for glimpses into Andersonville, Georgia!

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    1. Happy to do it. It's a love of mine as well, Carol. It's hard not to want to write a story in some of these places.

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