Henry Wirz was a Confederate States Army officer and convicted war criminal who served during the American Civil War. He was the commandant of Andersonville Prison, a Confederate prisoner-of-war camp near Andersonville, Georgia, where nearly 13,000 Union Army prisoners of war died as result of inhumane conditions. After the war, Wirz was tried and executed for conspiracy and murder relating to his command of the camp. Since his execution, Wirz has become a controversial figure due to debate about his guilt and reputation, including criticism over his personal responsibility for Andersonville Prison's conditions and the quality of his post-war trial.
Wirz c. 1865
Historic marker for Wirz at Andersonville, Georgia. The claim in the marker that guards died at the same rate as prisoners is incorrect.
Wirz hears his death warrant at the scaffold near the U.S. Capitol
Wirz's execution moments after the trapdoor was sprung
The Andersonville National Historic Site, located near Andersonville, Georgia, preserves the former Andersonville Prison, a Confederate prisoner-of-war camp during the final fourteen months of the American Civil War. Most of the site lies in southwestern Macon County, adjacent to the east side of the town of Andersonville. The site also contains the Andersonville National Cemetery and the National Prisoner of War Museum. The prison was created in February 1864 and served until April 1865.
Reconstruction of a section of the stockade wall
A depiction of Andersonville Prison by John L. Ransom, former prisoner
A drawing of Andersonville Prison by Thomas O'Dea, former prisoner
Andersonville prisoners and tents, southwest view showing the dead-line, August 17, 1864