Andersonville National Historic Site

Andersonville National Historic Site

It's not hard to believe why this was once called one of the "most haunted places in the United States". Andersonville, or Camp Sumter as it was also known, was one of the largest Civil War prisons established during this time. Built in 1864, Andersonville was used to confine over 45,000 Union soldiers, with over 13,000 of them dying horrendous deaths. As the war went on, the Confederate government became unable to provide adequate housing, food, clothing, and medical care to the prisoners confined to this place. Death did not come easy among these prisoners, as some probably wished it would, instead they were forced to suffer long, drawn out deaths caused from disease, malnutrition, overcrowding, poor sanitation, and exposure to the elements. The hot sun beat down so strong that it took 7 occupants to make a shadow. Most of the disease resulted from drinking contaminated water from Stockade Branch. Located at the bottom of the hill, this branch collected all the waste that washed downhill. But seeing as this was the only source of water for months, they had to drink from it. This resulted in a high mortality rate. It is also said that during this time, the stench was so bad, that people in Americus could smell it. In the summer of 1864 however, Providence Spring was miraculously born to provide clean drinking water. In May 1865, the Andersonville prison situation ended after 14 grueling months.

Captain Henry Wirz is said to be one of Andersonville's eternal inhabitants. At the end of the war, he was arrested, tried and hanged as a war criminal. His ghost has been said to linger around the remains of the old Star Fort.

Father Whelan is another spirit said to be found here. Originally from Macon, he made his way to Andersonville when he learned they had no chaplain. Living in a 4 x 8 foot hut, he would emerge everyday, rain or shine,and make his rounds in attempt to bring some much needed comfort to the prisoners. He stayed all the way until the bitter end, buying food for prisoners and helping out anyway that he could along the way. He is said to be seen today dressed completely in black and holding an umbrella, which he used during his time to help provide a shade from the hot sun.

The Andersonville Raiders were six Union soldiers condemned and hung for criminal activity within the prison. They were accused of many crimes, some including murder. It is said that they still roam this ground at night.

An anonymous ghost is also said to inhabit the northwest corner of the property. He is said to wear a slouched hat and can be seen leaning against the brick wall.

Many locals have confessed to hearing a sound like a murmur of many people talking at once at sundown as well as the occasional sound of musket fire.

*As these are just some of the more popular stories about Andersonville, there are bound to be many restless spirits who are eternally trapped here, considering how unsettling and full of despair Andersonville Prison was.

Click on the link below to listen to an EVP taken from Andersonville.

Before I turned on the recorder, I asked if there was anyone who wished to communicate, and this is what I got. Although there are no clear or definate words, there is something that sounds very similar to garbled speech. I'm not sure what this odd noise is, all I know is that it was nothing I was personally doing, nor was it anything I heard with the naked ear at the time. You will also hear such background noises as vehicles on the highway and a crow.

A special thanks goes out to the Andersonville Historic Site website for these pictures.