Star Fort

Within this stronghold stood the offices of the post commander and the prison commandant. The fort and headquarters were symbols of power, but the fully enclosed earthworks also reflected the authorities' besieged state of mind. Hampered by supply shortages and a constant influx of new prisoners, Confederates here were responsible for operating a prison camp under conditions they could hardly control. Four of Star Fort's guns were trained outward to repel Union cavalry raids, while the other five cannon were aimed toward the north slope of the prison camp. Before erosion rounded the walls, these earthworks were angled to give defenders overlapping fields of fire. Star Fort was part of a system of defense, with other earthworks and entrenchments around the prison tour road.

Andersonville, Georgia · United States