Camp Lawton (Georgia)

Camp Lawton, located near Millen, Georgia, was a Confederate prisoner-of-war camp established in the fall of 1864. It was the largest Confederate prison camp, covering 42 acres, but it had a very short operational history, lasting only about six weeks. Its primary purpose was to alleviate overcrowding at the infamous Andersonville prison.

As conditions at Andersonville worsened due to disease, lack of food, and overcrowding, Confederate authorities sought a new location to house Union prisoners. Camp Lawton was hastily constructed in a remote pine forest. The site was chosen, in part, because of the availability of timber for construction and a nearby creek for water, although the water quality was poor.

Despite its size, Camp Lawton suffered from many of the same problems as Andersonville. While structures were initially planned, most prisoners were left to construct their own rudimentary shelters from whatever materials they could find. Sanitation was inadequate, leading to widespread disease. Food rations were meager, and the water supply was often contaminated.

The camp was abandoned in late November 1864 as Union General William T. Sherman's forces advanced through Georgia during his "March to the Sea." Confederate authorities moved the prisoners to other locations in the South to prevent their liberation. The rapid abandonment of the camp left much of its infrastructure incomplete and the site mostly undisturbed.

Following the war, the site was largely forgotten. In recent decades, archaeological investigations have revealed more about the camp's layout and the conditions faced by the prisoners. Today, Camp Lawton is part of Magnolia Springs State Park and is recognized as a significant historical site. Archaeological work continues at the site, helping to tell the story of this short-lived and tragic chapter in American history.