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.