A tall wooden fence surrounded the Andersonville prison, with several guard towers looking over the camp. The guards that stood at these would shoot at prisoners who crossed an invisible line 19 feet away from the fence. The prison had both a north and a south gate where prisoners came in through and were carried out through. A small stream ran through the prison, which eventually turned into a swamp. The prison was dotted with several small shelters.
The "Dead Line"
In the Andersonville Prison, 19 feet away from the fence was the “dead line.” If the prisoners stepped past this, they were immediately shot by guards, who were positioned in towers to look over them.
In the Andersonville Prison, 19 feet away from the fence was the “dead line.” If the prisoners stepped past this, they were immediately shot by guards, who were positioned in towers to look over them.
Little Shelter, No Protection From Elements
There was no shelters in Andersonville, so prisoners made small lean to-s and huts made of clothing, blankets, or sticks. These did not protect the prisoners from the weather, weakening their immune systems and further creating sickness among camps.
There was no shelters in Andersonville, so prisoners made small lean to-s and huts made of clothing, blankets, or sticks. These did not protect the prisoners from the weather, weakening their immune systems and further creating sickness among camps.