Andersonville Prison, officially known as Camp Sumter, was built in 1864 when Confederate officials decided to move Federal prisoners in and around Richmond to a place of greater security and more abundant food. Andersonville held more prisoners at any given time than any of the other Confederate military prisons. During the 14 months it existed, more than 45,000 Union soldiers were confined here. Of these, almost 13,000 died from disease, poor sanitation, malnutrition, overcrowding, or exposure to the elements. The prison covered 26 1/2 acres and was surrounded by a stockade of pine logs from 15 to 17 feet in height. Sentry boxes stood at 90-foot intervals along the top of the stockade. Once inside, 19 feet from the exterior wall, was the "deadline" The it was intended to prevent prisoners from climbing over the stockade or from tunneling under it. Guards had orders to shoot any prisoner who crossed the fence, or even reached over it.
