Andersonville prison....a question

[Motor7]

I'm reading "The true Story of Andersonville Prison" by James Madison Page. About half way through, he states:

"It was said at Andersonville, and I have during these past fifteen or twenty years, read accounts from Southern sources, that the Confederate Government during the summer of 1864 asked the Washington authorities to send physicians and hospital supplies for the express use of Union prisoners held in the South; they pledged that those supplies would only be used for the Union prisoners; and it was said that the Washington authorities ignored the proposition."

My question, is, is this true or has it been proven false?

 

[redbob]

I can't speak for Andersonville, but when the commander of the Cahaba Prison asked for blankets and clothing for the prisoners; the Union authorities sent them. They would however not send medicines or food that could be used by the Confederates.

 

[UCVRelics]

I read Mr. Pages book and also have heard of these accounts, but have never seen any definitive correspondence on that topic.

 

[O' Be Joyful]

I'm reading "The true Story of Andersonville Prison" by James Madison Page. About half way through, he states:

"It was said at Andersonville, and I have during these past fifteen or twenty years, read accounts from Southern sources, that the Confederate Government during the summer of 1864 asked the Washington authorities to send physicians and hospital supplies for the express use of Union prisoners held in the South; they pledged that those supplies would only be used for the Union prisoners; and it was said that the Washington authorities ignored the proposition."

My question, is, is this true or has it been proven false?

Hello Motor7,

I don't believe your specific question was answered in the thread below, although I recall the charge being leveled. This thread may be of some use to you.
And Welcome to the forum.

OBJ

https://civilwartalk.com/threads/my...nd-we-took-care-of-yours.140951/#post-1703187

 

[Specster]

I'm reading "The true Story of Andersonville Prison" by James Madison Page. About half way through, he states:

"It was said at Andersonville, and I have during these past fifteen or twenty years, read accounts from Southern sources, that the Confederate Government during the summer of 1864 asked the Washington authorities to send physicians and hospital supplies for the express use of Union prisoners held in the South; they pledged that those supplies would only be used for the Union prisoners; and it was said that the Washington authorities ignored the proposition."

My question, is, is this true or has it been proven false?

I had previously heard of the request for medical supplies but IIRC the North refused to send them because they were, at that time, not being used for the POWs. I dont recall ever hearing or reading of a request for Northern physicians. That does not mean much - I am not an expert on this issue and I know that several people on this site had relatives at Andersonville and know more history of this prison than I could ever hope to know

 

[Motor7]

Hello Motor7,

I don't believe your specific question was answered in the thread below, although I recall the charge being leveled. This thread may be of some use to you.
And Welcome to the forum.

OBJ

https://civilwartalk.com/threads/my...nd-we-took-care-of-yours.140951/#post-1703187

Thanks and the thread you linked is interesting. Page talks a lot about the prisoner exchange and how it affected them mentally. Today it seems absurd to release a prisoner that could then shoulder arms against you, but early on in the war the practice was apparently frequent.

I wonder of the prisoner exchange came about not because of civility, but because neither side was prepared to contain, house and feed thousands and thousands of prisoners? 30,000+ prisoners at Andersonville at the "height".....living in the open or in tents...in August, in the deep South = a logistical nightmare even today.

 

[Stiles/Akin]

I do have some of the Samuel Hollingsworth Stout Records where doctors were sent to Americus and I am sure the prison. I wanted to go through them when I had the time. I could post them here but my access to the USB drive has been turned off where I am at now for security reasons. I will have to wait till I get home. it may prove useful.