Posted 8 years ago
scottvez
(977 items)
Civil War enlistment carte de visite of Justus P. Griffin.
Griffin is shown at age 20 in August of 1862, when he enlisted into the 16th Connecticut Infantry. He was photographed by Moore of Hartford, CT.
Less than a month after his enlistment, Griffin and his regiment fought at Antietam and paid a terrible price-- 45 KIA and 159 WIA.
The Regiment fought several smaller engagements over the next 18 months.
At Plymouth, NC in April of 1864, Griffin and the balance of the Regiment were captured.
Griffin was sent to the infamous Andersonville prison and experienced the overcrowding of the prison leading to horrendous living conditions and death for so many.
When Griffin arrived the prison was at or near capacity of 10,000 prisoners. Over the summer of 1864, the prison population swelled to over 30,000 leading to food shortages, disease and death. 13,000 Union prisoners died at Andersonville.
Griffin was lucky and received a parole in FEB 1865.
Post- War, Henry Wirz, the commander of the prison was tried for murder and conspiracy in the deaths of Union prisoners under his control. He was found guilty and executed.
Thanks for looking fran and official!
scott
Thanks vetraio and beyemvey!
scott
The northern POW camp, Douglasville, near Chicago, had a higher mortality rate than Andersonville.
What a HORRIBLE experience this gentleman must have had!!
Not accurate buss. For ONE MONTH Camp Douglas had a higher mortality rate, but overall the rate was significantly lower (numbers are rounded):
Douglas: 26,000 prisoners; 5,000 deaths
Andersonville: 45,000 prisoners; 13,00 deaths
Something else of note-- Camp Douglas operated for over 2 1/2 years, while Andersonville was only operating for 14 months.
scott
Yes jscott-- Griffin experienced all of the horrors of Andersonville. He was lucky to survive.
scott
Starvation was probably the major cause of deaths in Andersonville. The Yanks scalped the land of food & cut off medical supplies. Grant knew exactly what was happening there.
Thanks for looking gruff and apache!
scott
Thanks much rick and vo!
scott
Thanks roy, scott and bobby.
scott
Seems that the historical reason for all these prisoner deaths is being ignored. Grant stopped the prisoner exchange & honour paroles, therefore filling POW prison camps on both sides. He was rewarded for the miserable death of those men by being made President.
Thanks valentine...
scott
Thanks longings.
scott
Thanks much greeley and werner.
scott
Thanks for looking leighann.
scott