Using memoirs, diaries, and letters, as well as official documents, Futch paints a vivid picture of life in Georgia's Andersonville Prison, one of the most notoriously brutal stockades during the Civil War. Futch takes care to stay objective as he searches for the reasons why the Andersonville prisoners of war were kept in such poor conditions, describing in detail both the horrors of the camp, and the difficulties faced by Captain Winder and prison commander Wirz in procuring supplies and providing for prisoners. Originally published in 1968, one year after the death of the author, this edition includes a new introduction by Michael P. Gray which examines Futch's monograph in relation to similar histories written over the years. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)