Half the cannon faced outward to defend against Union cavalry raids—spinoffs from Sherman's Atlanta Campaign. The other half were loaded with canister and trained on the prison grounds.
When the prison was operating, deep ditches fronted the earthworks. Palisades closed the rear of these V-shaped gun emplacements.
"We have here largely over 24,000 prisoners of war, and 1,205 very raw troops—with the measles prevailing, badly armed and worse disciplined—to guard them. With the present force, a raid on the post would almost of necessity be successful."
Brig. Gen. John Henry Winder, Prison Commander
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Time and erosion have modified the elaborate earthwork defenses, but the outlines are still visible. As you tour Andersonville, study the system of defenses, including the rifle-pits and Star Fort. The design reflects the prison officers' state of mind—the fear of uprising from the inside and attack from the outside.
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