The world's largest prison : the story of Camp Lawton / John K. Derden.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Derden, John K.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Camp Lawton (Prison stockade).

History.

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Prisoners and prisons.

United States.

Georgia--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Prisoners and prisons.

Georgia.

Physical Description:

259 pages, 24 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Macon, Ga. : Mercer University Press, [2012]

Summary:

When it opened in October 1864, Clamp Lawton was called "the world's largest prison." Operational only six weeks, this stockade near Millen, Georgia, was evacuated in the face of advancing Federal troops under General Sherman. In that brief time, the prison served as headquarters for the Confederate military prison system, witnessed hundreds of deaths, held a mock election for president, was involved in a sick exchange, hosted attempts to recruit. Union POWs for Confederate service, and thwarted escape attempts. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 The Setting 7

2 An Emerging Tragedy 17

3 A Theoretical Solution: The Building of Camp Lawton 34

4 The Reality: Life's Necessities at Camp Lawton 63

5 Voters, Recruiters, Galvanizers, Escapees, and Guards 88

6 The Collapse: "War Is Hell" 128

7 The Aftermath: The Trials of the Living and the Odyssey of the Dead 164

8 The Resurrection of Camp Lawton 205.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780881464153

0881464155

OCLC:

795909448