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Each page listed below has up to 20 thumbnail photos to click on, so click on a page to discover and relive the event.

Page1 - Saturdays Battle
Page2 - Saturdays Battle
Page3 - Saturdays Battle
Page4 - Prison Site
Page5 - Camp, Battle
Page6 - Sundays Battle
Page7 - Sundays Battle
Page8 - Sundays Battle
Panorama's - Prison Site

The Battle at Andersonville

Andersonville Georgia is a small backwoods town that has the distinction of being located next to the infamous Confederate prison. Each year in October the town holds the "Andersonville Historic Fair" which includes a Civil War Reenactment. The town is open for business and tourists 364 days a year.

According to their website "Some eighty thousand tourists annually visit the Civil War Village of Andersonville". It is located in western Georgia, about 21 miles northeast of Plains, GA, home of our 39th President, Jimmy Carter.

The 1860's railroad terminal located here was the final stop on a decrepit rail-line for 45,000 captured Federal soldiers who were imprisoned at nearby Camp Sumter. Camp Sumter, located a quarter mile from town, became known for its incredibly poor conditions and high mortality rate. The town of Andersonville became the supply center for the prison and housed the offices of Captain Henry Wirz, Camp Sumters commander. Henry Wirz has the distinction of being the only Civil War soldier executed for "War Crimes" after the war. Many historians believe Captain Wirz was unjustly tried and executed. There is ample evidence that his trial was conducted unjustly, including perjured testimony and unfair proceedings. A monument dedicated to Henry Wirz stands in the center of town.

The city offices are located in the old Railroad depot along with a museum. There are several antique, craft and curiosity shops in town; a log cabin church for weddings; and a seven acre pioneer town.

The Civil War Reenactors pitch their camp in the pioneer town and there is a small battlefield next to it. This year about 350 reenactors took their places on the firing lines to delight the spectators who come from miles around to see the gun-smoke filter up through the tall trees. Common smoke rings from artillery pieces are not allowed to drift too far before disintegrating among the upper limbs about the battlefield. This event attracts many reenactors from Florida along with Georgia and Alabama.

For reenactors - while at this event there is plenty to do and see - You can tour the Prison site along with the National Cemetery and Prisoner of War museum located on the prison grounds. You can drift through the historic town which is in full town-fair mode at the same time. And don't forget to visit the Drummer Boy Museum centered around the Civil War era.

America's Reenactment Photographer,
Wes Mayhle

For additional reenacting information go to
Florida Reenactors Online - a website that regularly features some of my photos and articles and where you can find many links, monthly newsletters and many other resources about the American Civil War and reenacting that conflict.