Statue at the Andersonville National Cemetery entrance/Danny Bernstein

The Andersonville Prison has been viewed as the most notorious prison during the Civil War for how its Union prisoners were treated. During the 14 months the prison existed, more than 45,000 Union soldiers were confined there, according to the National Park Service, which adds that "of these, almost 13,000 died." Get a sense of prison life at Andersonville National Historic Site when a living history program is offered March 11-12.

This program offers visitors the opportunity to gain a better understanding of what life was like at Camp Sumter, the infamous military prison near Andersonville, during the last days of the Civil War. Civil War-period living historians will portray Union prisoners, Confederate guards, and civilians. A variety of programs will be offered on both days, including guard drill and artillery demonstrations.

Living historians will be present in the area of the prison site from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 11 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 12. The event is free and open to the public. For more information about this annual event, go to this site.

Andersonville National Historic Site is located 10 miles south of Oglethorpe, Georgia, and 10 miles northeast of Americus, Georgia, on Highway 49. The national park features the National Prisoner of War Museum, Andersonville National Cemetery, and the site of the historic Civil War prison, Camp Sumter.