Armed Forces - United States - General & Miscellaneous, Prisoners of War, 19th Century American History - General and Miscellaneous, United States Civil War - General & Miscellaneous
Log in to track your reading progress.
Overview
-- The first modern account of all Civil War military prisons-- A full reference listing prisons and their dates of operation
Written in chronological order, "Portals to Hell" gives new insight into the logistical and political problems involved in holding prisoners of war, as humane ideals in the beginning often gave way to ever-burgeoning prison populations, local opinion, and vindictive commanders and guards.
This ultimate work on Civil War prisons and prisoners covers all aspects of prison life for soldiers on both sides: the lack of adequate shelter; the prisoner exchange program; escapes and escape attempts; women and black prisoners; political prisoners; and food, vermin, illness, and death.
Editorials
Booknews
The more than 674,000 soldiers taken prisoner during the Civil War amounted to nearly 16 percent of the total enlistments<-->a higher percentage than in any war before or since. Using the unpublished accounts of many Civil War prisoners, the author examines relationships among prisoners and guards, the POW system, the high death rates at many prisons, and the roles played by the two governments, the press and the general public. Thirty-two pages of period photographs and drawings illustrate the work. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.Book Details
Published
May 21, 1997
Publisher
Mechanicsburg, PA : Stackpole Books, c1997.
Pages
410
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9780811703345