Fascinating - Civil War prisoner camp uncovered... - Page 2

nikimcbee · 08-19-10, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

I never could understand how both sides could treat the other's prisoners so poorly in the Civil War. You'd think they'd have some sort of compassion and sympathy for their fellow countrymen.

The South is simple; no money. They didn't even have money to feed their own troops, let alone captured ones.

Bilge_Rat · 08-20-10, 07:40 AM

yes, in the South's case, they had trouble feeding and clothing their own troops, let alone taking care of prisoners. That was the defence raised by capt. Wirz, the commander of andersonville:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anderso...ite#Conditions

In the early part of the war, the Union and the rebels exchanged prisoners, which lessened the problem, but the Union stopped that once they figured out the CSA was running out of men.

In the North's case, there was less of an excuse for the poor conditions, but it appears to be more a case of incompetence and corruption rather voluntary mistreatment.

Let's not forget that the diet of serving Union soldiers was very poor, usually moldy bread/biscuits, dried/salted meat and coffee and they were the lucky ones...

Raptor1 · 08-20-10, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad

That is a great scene, also the big battle at the *SPOILER* bridge battle.

Overall, the movie is still one of my favorites, despite being 30 years old, made waaay before I was born.

If you haven't seen it, watch it on Hulu

Okay back on topic..

The bridge scene was great, except that the lip synching for the Union Captain's lines was horrible...

Weiss Pinguin · 08-20-10, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad

If you haven't seen it, watch it on Hulu

It's on Hulu now?

(YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAH)

08-20-10, 07:40 AM	#17
Bilge_Rat Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: standing watch... Posts: 3,855 Downloads: 344 Uploads: 0	yes, in the South's case, they had trouble feeding and clothing their own troops, let alone taking care of prisoners. That was the defence raised by capt. Wirz, the commander of andersonville: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anderso...ite#Conditions In the early part of the war, the Union and the rebels exchanged prisoners, which lessened the problem, but the Union stopped that once they figured out the CSA was running out of men. In the North's case, there was less of an excuse for the poor conditions, but it appears to be more a case of incompetence and corruption rather voluntary mistreatment. Let's not forget that the diet of serving Union soldiers was very poor, usually moldy bread/biscuits, dried/salted meat and coffee and they were the lucky ones... __________________