The North Gate

Captured Union soldiers marched from the village railroad station past this spot and uphill to the North Gate, the main entrance to the prison at Andersonville. After they passed through the outer door, it was barred behind them, and then the inner gate opened onto the prison yard. New arrivals, often called "fresh fish," entered without knowing what awaited them there. Pvt. John McElroy of the 16th Illinois Cavalry recalled five hundred weary men moving slowly through double lines of guards as two massive wooden gates with heavy iron hinges and bolts swung open and they passed into Andersonville.

Andersonville, Georgia · United States