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Palmetto Past & Present: Heroism, Human Shields And The Immortal 600
“It’s easy to romanticize the Civil War as a chivalrous affair, the final swords and roses struggle of a bygone age. The reality was anything but that…”
2 comments
Interesting piece. I learned something.
Another great piece Mark!
The Confederacy held prisoners here in Columbia as well at a location very near the Laurel Crest Retirement Community in West Columbia. The Confederacy was so hard up for resources that the “prison” had no facilities of any kind and was simply a five-acre plot outlined with 2×8 planks painted white. Crossing the line of planks would get you shot by the guards. (And also create a new word, “deadline”, in the process).
Escapes were common. Food, shelter and resources for the prisoners of any kind were uncommon. The Camp was referred to as “Camp Sorghum” because of the monotonous diet of cornmeal and sorghum. (in fairness, the guards didn’t eat any better).
As Sherman approached the city, the prisoners were moved across the river to the site of the State Lunatic Asylum on Bull Street and then to other places in February of 1865.