FORT BENNING, Ga., (March 16 2016) -- "History is something that we forget a lot about, and if we can't establish a foundation for the younger generation of Soldiers to understand where we came from, then I think we miss the mark," said Lt. Col. Korey Brown, Battalion Commander of the 1st Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
Over 40 officers and noncommissioned officers of the 1-507th took a staff ride to Andersonville prison March 11 where they learned about living conditions during the Civil War.
Andersonville prison, located approximately 60 miles from Fort Benning, was one of the largest Confederate military prison camps during the Civil War, according to the National Park Service website. The prison camp was open for 14 months and was designed to hold 10,000 prisoners, yet more than 45,000 prisoners were detained there and more than 13,000 died while in captivity. Andersonville is home to the Andersonville National Cemetery where many of the prisoners are buried. It is also home to the National Prisoner of War Museum, which honors prisoners of war from all wars.
While at the prison, Soldiers learned what life was like for Andersonville prisoners and what happens when there is no code of conduct, said Staff Sgt. Jake Bittelgreif.
Prisoners at Andersonville prison were subjected to improper shelter from the elements, inadequate food, water, and improper medical care. After the war, Capt. Henry Wirz, the captain in charge of the prison, was convicted of conspiracy and murder and was hanged on Nov. 10, 1865.
"It helped me understand what they went through and how fortunate we are now with all the things we have as Soldiers these days," said Sgt. 1st Class Cathy Jones.
Soldiers also spent time learning about what the culture inside Andersonville was like, including the story behind a criminal gang inside the prison called The Raiders. The Raiders were notorious for terrorizing prisoners, stealing and murdering at will, as the Confederate leadership made no effort to stop them. They were eventually caught and hung, but the prisoners refused to let them be buried beside the other deceased prisoners, according to the National Park Service website.
"I think that says a lot about the bond of being a Soldier, and that that bond hasn't changed," said Capt. Jesse Sheehan.
At the end of the day, visiting Andersonville prison brings a new appreciation of where we are now, said Sgt. Aaron Dawson.
"It helps me to not take for granted where we come from as a military and how we treat our captives now as opposed to how things were done during the Civil War," said Dawson.
Social Sharing