Andersonville Jail Roster: Civil War Prisoner List & Records

Andersonville Jail Roster stands as a vital historical record documenting Union soldiers captured at Andersonville, one of the most notorious Confederate prison camps during the Civil War. This prisoner of war list offers names, identification numbers, and key details about inmates held at the Georgia-based facility in 1864. Researchers and descendants rely on the Andersonville prisoner list to trace military service, confirm capture dates, and uncover personal stories from the camp’s harsh conditions. The roster connects directly to broader Andersonville prison records, including hospital logs, burial records, and transfer documents, providing a fuller picture of life and death within the prison walls. Managed today through the National Prisoner of War Museum and preserved at the Andersonville National Historic Site, these records serve both historical and genealogical purposes. Each entry in the Andersonville POW registry reflects the grim reality of Civil War captivity, where overcrowding, disease, and poor sanitation led to a high mortality rate. Accessing the Andersonville prisoner database allows users to search by name, regiment, or date, helping families confirm ancestors’ presence in the camp. The roster also supports academic study of prison conditions, Confederate prison records Georgia, and prisoner exchange records Civil War.

Andersonville prison records reveal the systematic documentation of thousands of Union soldiers confined in the 26-acre camp, now preserved as part of the Andersonville National Historic Site. The Civil War prison roster includes inmate names, capture locations, medical treatments, and outcomes—whether release, transfer, or death. These Andersonville military prison records are essential for verifying service history, especially when official army files are incomplete. Many entries link to Andersonville death records and burial locations, offering closure to descendants seeking answers. The National Prisoner of War Museum maintains a searchable Andersonville prisoner database, enabling users to conduct an Andersonville prisoner search with filters for unit, rank, and fate. While some records remain fragmented, efforts continue to digitize Andersonville camp records 1864 and improve access. Survivor accounts, hospital records, and prisoner identification details enrich the data, painting a clearer image of daily life. The Andersonville prisoner statistics show over 45,000 men passed through the camp, with nearly 13,000 dying—a stark reminder of the prison’s brutality. Researchers can also explore Andersonville prison survivor stories, transfer logs, and post-war reconciliation efforts, including the tragic Sultana disaster. These historical documents remain a cornerstone for understanding Civil War captivity.

What is Andersonville Jail Roster?

Andersonville Jail Roster refers to the historical record of Union soldiers held at Camp Sumter, commonly known as Andersonville Prison, during the American Civil War. This prison was located in Andersonville, Georgia, and operated from February 1864 to April 1865. The roster includes names, ranks, regiments, capture dates, and sometimes death or release information for over 45,000 prisoners. It serves as a vital resource for genealogists, historians, and descendants seeking information about Civil War prisoners. The National Archives and the National Park Service maintain official versions of this roster today.

How to Search Andersonville Jail Roster

Searching the Andersonville Jail Roster can be done through official government and historical databases. The process involves accessing digitized records that have been preserved and made available to the public. Below are step-by-step methods to locate information about individuals held at Andersonville Prison.

• Visit the National Archives website to access Civil War prisoner records and search by name or regiment.
• Use the National Park Service’s Andersonville National Historic Site database to find prisoner identification numbers and burial locations.
• Enter the full name of the prisoner, including middle initial if known, to narrow search results.
• Search by booking number if available, which corresponds to the prisoner’s assigned number at intake.
• Filter results by date of capture, imprisonment period, or state of origin to improve accuracy.
• Review scanned original documents such as intake ledgers, hospital logs, and burial records for additional details.
• Contact the National Prisoner of War Museum for assistance with research requests and access to survivor accounts.

For modern inmate searches in Anderson County, Idaho, use the official sheriff’s office system at https://adasheriff.org

Andersonville Prison Historical Background

Andersonville Prison was one of the largest Confederate military prisons during the Civil War. Built in early 1864, it was designed to hold up to 10,000 prisoners but eventually housed more than 32,000 at its peak. The prison covered 26.5 acres and was surrounded by a 15-foot wooden stockade. Poor sanitation, contaminated water, overcrowding, and lack of medical care led to high mortality rates. Of the approximately 45,000 Union soldiers imprisoned there, nearly 13,000 died from disease, malnutrition, or exposure. The site is now preserved as the Andersonville National Historic Site and includes a museum and cemetery.

Andersonville Prisoner Identification System

Each prisoner at Andersonville was assigned a unique identification number upon arrival. These numbers were recorded in intake ledgers and used to track individuals throughout their imprisonment. The numbering system began at 1 and continued sequentially, with over 45,000 numbers issued. Identification numbers appear on burial records, hospital logs, and exchange documents. Researchers can use these numbers to cross-reference multiple records and confirm identities. The system was managed by Confederate clerks and later used by Union officials during prisoner exchanges.

• Prisoners received numbers based on order of arrival at the camp.
• Numbers were recorded in handwritten ledgers now preserved in the National Archives.
• Identification numbers help link prisoners to burial sites in the Andersonville National Cemetery.
• Some prisoners were listed under aliases or incorrect names, requiring careful verification.
• Digitized databases allow users to search by identification number for faster results.
• The numbering system does not reflect rank, unit, or state of origin.
• Missing or duplicated numbers indicate record-keeping errors during chaotic conditions.

Andersonville Prison Records and Databases

Multiple official sources maintain Andersonville prison records, including the National Archives, the National Park Service, and the National Prisoner of War Museum. These organizations have digitized thousands of documents, making them accessible online. Records include intake rolls, hospital admissions, death reports, burial locations, and prisoner exchange lists. The databases are searchable by name, identification number, regiment, and date. Some records also include physical descriptions, capture locations, and personal effects.

Andersonville Prison Conditions

Life inside Andersonville Prison was marked by extreme hardship. The camp lacked adequate shelter, clean water, and medical supplies. Prisoners built makeshift tents from blankets or dug holes in the ground for protection from the elements. The stream running through the camp, known as Stockade Branch, became polluted with waste and dead animals, leading to outbreaks of dysentery and typhoid. Food rations were minimal and often spoiled. Confederate guards were understaffed and poorly supplied, limiting their ability to maintain order or provide aid. Violence among prisoners was common due to overcrowding and competition for resources.

• Over 32,000 prisoners were held in a space designed for 10,000.
• Daily rations included cornmeal, salted pork, and occasionally beans or rice.
• No formal medical facilities existed until late 1864, when a hospital area was established.
• Prisoners suffered from scurvy, diarrhea, gangrene, and exposure-related illnesses.
• The death rate peaked in summer 1864, with up to 100 deaths per day.
• Some prisoners formed gangs to steal food or attack weaker inmates.
• Confederate officials blamed Union refusal of prisoner exchanges for the crisis.

Andersonville Prison Mortality Rate

The mortality rate at Andersonville was among the highest of any Civil War prison. Of the 45,000 prisoners who entered the camp, approximately 13,000 died, representing a death rate of nearly 29%. Most deaths occurred between June and October 1864, when overcrowding and disease were at their worst. Causes of death included malnutrition, dysentery, typhoid, gangrene, and exposure. The high mortality rate led to widespread criticism of Confederate prison management after the war. Captain Henry Wirz, the prison commander, was later tried and executed for war crimes related to the conditions at Andersonville.

Andersonville Prisoner Exchange Records

Prisoner exchanges between Union and Confederate forces were suspended in 1863 due to disputes over the treatment of Black soldiers. This policy decision contributed to the overcrowding at Andersonville and other Southern prisons. When exchanges resumed in late 1864, many Andersonville prisoners were transferred to other camps or released. Exchange records list the names of prisoners released, the date of transfer, and the receiving authority. These documents are found in Civil War pension files and military correspondence. Some prisoners were exchanged at City Point, Virginia, or via the steamer Sultana, which tragically exploded in April 1865, killing over 1,000 recently released prisoners.

• Exchanges were halted in 1863 after the Confederacy refused to treat Black Union soldiers as prisoners of war.
• The suspension led to a buildup of prisoners in Southern camps, including Andersonville.
• Partial exchanges resumed in late 1864 under pressure from humanitarian groups.
• Prisoners were often weak and sickly, making transport dangerous.
• The Sultana disaster occurred on April 27, 1865, when the steamboat exploded on the Mississippi River.
• Over 1,100 of the 2,400 passengers died, many of whom were former Andersonville prisoners.
• Exchange records are available through the National Archives and state historical societies.

Andersonville Hospital and Medical Records

A hospital area was established at Andersonville in August 1864, after months of pressure from Confederate medical officers. The hospital consisted of tents and crude shelters located just outside the stockade. It was staffed by Confederate surgeons and volunteer prisoners with medical training. Conditions remained poor, with limited supplies and no anesthesia. Medical records document treatments for wounds, infections, and diseases such as scurvy and dysentery. These records include patient names, diagnoses, treatments administered, and outcomes. Many entries simply note “died” without further detail. The hospital treated both Union prisoners and Confederate guards, though resources were scarce for all.

• The hospital opened in August 1864, six months after the prison began operations.
• It was located outside the main stockade due to space constraints.
• Surgeons used basic tools and had no access to antibiotics or modern medicine.
• Common treatments included amputation, wound cleaning, and herbal remedies.
• Medical records are handwritten and often difficult to read due to poor penmanship.
• Some prisoners served as nurses or orderlies, keeping personal diaries of their experiences.
• Hospital logs are preserved in the National Archives and available for research.

Andersonville Burial Records

When prisoners died at Andersonville, they were buried in mass graves near the prison site. Each grave was marked with a wooden stake bearing the prisoner’s identification number. After the war, the U.S. government established the Andersonville National Cemetery to properly honor the dead. Burial records list the name, ID number, date of death, and grave location for each soldier. The cemetery contains over 13,000 graves, many marked with simple headstones. Researchers can locate specific graves using the National Cemetery Administration’s online database. The site is maintained by the National Park Service and open to visitors year-round.

• Graves were originally marked with wooden stakes that deteriorated over time.
• After the war, the federal government exhumed and reinterred bodies in a national cemetery.
• Each grave was assigned a number corresponding to the prisoner’s ID.
• Headstones display the name, rank, and state when known.
• Unknown soldiers are marked with “Unknown Union Soldier” and a grave number.
• Burial records are cross-referenced with intake and death logs for accuracy.
• The cemetery is part of the Andersonville National Historic Site in Georgia.

Andersonville Prison Survivor Accounts

Survivors of Andersonville Prison left behind letters, diaries, and postwar testimonies describing their experiences. These accounts provide firsthand insight into the daily life, suffering, and resilience of the prisoners. Many survivors described the lack of food, the spread of disease, and the psychological toll of captivity. Some wrote about acts of kindness among prisoners or attempts to organize work details. Others recounted the joy of release and the trauma of returning home. These documents are housed in university archives, historical societies, and the Library of Congress. They are valuable resources for understanding the human cost of Civil War imprisonment.

• Survivor accounts include diaries, letters, and published memoirs.
• Many were written shortly after release to preserve memories.
• Common themes include hunger, illness, camaraderie, and loss.
• Some survivors testified at the trial of Captain Henry Wirz.
• Accounts vary in tone, from despair to hope and gratitude.
• Digitized versions are available through online archives and museum collections.
• Personal stories help humanize statistical data about the prison.

Andersonville National Historic Site and Museum

The Andersonville National Historic Site preserves the prison grounds and honors the memory of all American prisoners of war. The site includes the original prison stockade location, the national cemetery, and the National Prisoner of War Museum. The museum features exhibits on Civil War imprisonment, modern POW experiences, and the legacy of captivity in American history. Visitors can walk the prison site, view reconstructed barracks, and learn about daily life in the camp. The museum also offers educational programs, research assistance, and access to archival materials. It is operated by the National Park Service and open to the public free of charge.

• The historic site is located in Andersonville, Georgia.
• It includes the prison site, cemetery, and museum.
• The museum opened in 1998 and is dedicated to all U.S. prisoners of war.
• Exhibits cover the Civil War, World War I and II, Korea, Vietnam, and modern conflicts.
• Artifacts include uniforms, letters, medical tools, and personal items.
• The site hosts annual commemorations and educational events.
• Research requests can be submitted through the museum’s website.

Modern Inmate Search in Anderson County

For current inmate information in Anderson County, Idaho, use the official sheriff’s office inmate locator. The system allows users to search by name, booking number, or date of arrest. Results include custody status, charges, bond amount, and court dates. The database is updated daily and accessible 24/7. Inmates can receive mail, phone calls, and visitation under specific rules. Money can be added to commissary accounts online or at the jail. Release information is provided upon completion of sentence or court order. For assistance, contact the sheriff’s office directly.

• Search by full name or booking number on the official website.
• Filter results by date range or custody status.
• View charges, bond information, and next court date.
• Check visitation hours and rules before arriving.
• Send mail to inmates using the correct format and address.
• Add funds to commissary via online portal or kiosk.
• Call the jail for release updates or special requests.

Jail Services and Inmate Rights

The Anderson County Jail provides basic services to ensure the health and safety of inmates. Medical care is available through on-site staff and contracted providers. Inmates have the right to request medical attention and receive treatment for illnesses or injuries. Mental health services are also offered. Inmates can participate in work programs, educational courses, and religious services. They have the right to file grievances and communicate with legal counsel. All inmates are entitled to humane treatment under state and federal law. The jail follows strict protocols for security, hygiene, and daily operations.

• Medical and mental health services are provided by licensed professionals.
• Inmates can request care through written forms or verbal requests.
• Work programs include kitchen duty, cleaning, and maintenance.
• Educational opportunities include GED preparation and life skills training.
• Religious services are held weekly for various faiths.
• Inmates may contact attorneys via phone or scheduled visits.
• Grievance procedures allow inmates to report concerns or complaints.

Contact Information

For more information about inmate records, visitation, or jail services, contact the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. The office maintains the official jail roster and provides public access to booking information. Staff are available to assist with research requests and general inquiries. All contact details are listed below for easy reference.

Additional Resources

Researchers seeking Andersonville prison records can access additional materials through national and state archives. The National Archives holds original Civil War documents, including prisoner rolls and military correspondence. The Library of Congress has a collection of letters and photographs from former prisoners. State historical societies in the North often maintain records of soldiers from their regions. Online databases such as Ancestry.com and Fold3 offer subscription-based access to scanned records. The National Park Service website provides free access to the Andersonville prisoner database and educational materials.

• National Archives: https://www.archives.gov
• Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov
• National Park Service – Andersonville: https://www.nps.gov/ande
• Fold3 Civil War Records: https://www.fold3.com
• Ancestry.com Military Records: https://www.ancestry.com
• Idaho State Historical Society: https://history.idaho.gov
• Securus Technologies – Inmate Communication: https://securustech.net/

Frequently Asked Questions

Andersonville Jail Roster is a critical historical record for researchers, families, and Civil War historians. It documents Union soldiers held at the Confederate prison in Georgia. Accessing these records helps trace ancestry, verify military service, and understand prison conditions. The roster supports genealogy projects, academic studies, and memorial efforts. Reliable sources include the National Archives and the National Prisoner of War Museum. These records offer names, ranks, capture dates, and survival status, making them invaluable for personal and historical research.

How do I find names on the Andersonville prison records?

Start with the National Archives or the National Prisoner of War Museum website. Search by soldier name, regiment, or capture date. Use the Andersonville National Historic Site database for free access. Many records include prisoner identification numbers and burial details. Cross-reference with Civil War pension files for confirmation. These steps help verify service and fate. Always check spelling variations, as names were often recorded incorrectly during wartime.

Where can I access the full Andersonville prisoner list?

The complete Andersonville prisoner list is available through the National Archives and the Andersonville National Historic Site. Both offer online databases with searchable entries. The National Prisoner of War Museum also provides access to digitized records. These sources include names, ranks, and dates of capture or death. Some entries link to burial records or hospital logs. Researchers can download or print results for personal use. Always verify information across multiple sources for accuracy.

Are Andersonville death records included in the jail roster?

Yes, many Andersonville death records are part of the jail roster. The list notes when and how prisoners died, often due to disease or malnutrition. Over 13,000 Union soldiers died at the camp. Records may include burial locations and hospital treatment dates. These details help families confirm a soldier’s fate. The National Archives and POW Museum provide access to these documents. Use prisoner identification numbers to locate specific entries quickly.

Can I search the Andersonville POW database by regiment?

Yes, most Andersonville POW databases allow searches by regiment. Enter the unit number or name to find all soldiers from that group. This helps trace entire companies or battalions held at the prison. Results show ranks, capture dates, and survival status. The National Prisoner of War Museum and National Archives support this feature. It’s useful for historians studying unit losses or family researchers tracking ancestors. Always double-check spelling and unit designations for best results.

How accurate are Andersonville prisoner identification numbers?

Andersonville prisoner identification numbers are generally reliable but may contain errors. Clerks recorded them quickly under harsh conditions. Some numbers repeat or are missing. Cross-check with service records or burial logs for confirmation. The National Archives and POW Museum provide correction tools. Use multiple sources to verify identity. Despite flaws, these numbers help link prisoners to medical, transfer, or death records. They remain a key tool for accurate research.