Civil War Prisoners and Strategies

The Civil War was expected to be short by both the Confederacy and the Union, with neither side preparing for the long-term handling of prisoners. As the war dragged on, over 400,000 men were imprisoned, with more than 56,000 dying in captivity. This number is comparable to American losses in Vietnam and exceeds the death toll of all other 1800s wars except the Civil War itself. Richmond's prisons became overcrowded, prompting the Confederacy to build Andersonville to move prisoners away from the front lines. By 1864, the Union's victory seemed inevitable.

What was the initial belief of both the Confederacy and the Union regarding the duration of the Civil War?

• It would be a stalemate.

• It would last a decade.

• It would be a quick conflict.

• It would last several years.

Why did neither side plan for prisons or prisoners at the start of the Civil War?

• They expected a short war.

• They had no resources.

• They underestimated each other.

• They focused on naval battles.

Approximately how many men were imprisoned during the Civil War?

• 500,000

• 100,000

• 400,000

• 200,000

How many men died in Civil War prisons?

• Over 10,000

• Over 20,000

• Over 56,000

• Over 100,000

The number of deaths in Civil War prisons is comparable to which other conflict?

• Revolutionary War

• Korean War

• Vietnam War

• World War I

What was the Confederacy's initial solution for housing prisoners?

• Releasing them on parole

• Sending them to the North

• Using large warehouses in Richmond

• Building new prisons

Why did the Confederacy decide to move prisoners away from Richmond?

• To improve living conditions

• To avoid Union advances

• To increase security

• To reduce costs

What was the name of the new prison built by the Confederacy?

• Andersonville

• Camp Douglas

• Fort Sumter

• Libby Prison

By 1864, what was the general belief about the outcome of the Civil War?

• It would continue indefinitely

• It would end in a draw

• The Union would win

• The Confederacy would win

What was a major concern for Confederate authorities regarding the prisons in Richmond?

• Disease outbreaks

• Potential prisoner escape

• Union spies infiltrating

• Lack of food supplies