| Book Review | The Journal of American History, 96.2

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| Book Review | The Journal of American History, 96.2 | The History Cooperative

Book Review

Andersonvilles of the North: The Myths and Realities of Northern Treatment of Civil War Confederate Prisoners. By James M. Gillispie. (Denton: University of North Texas Press, 2008. viii, 278 pp. $24.95, ISBN 978-1-57441-255-0.)
One trend in Civil War prison historiography is the shift toward examining the administrative policy regarding captives, using controversial arguments, accusatory tones, and now a blanket defense. Charles Sanders's 2005 While in the Hands of the Enemy leans too far in claiming conspiracy by indicting war leaders for poor treatment, while Andersonvilles of the North by James M. Gillispie is too excessive in exonerating them; the truth in prisoner care probably lies in-between.	1
Andersonvilles of the North lacks the scholarly touch of Sanders's study, but Gillispie does persuasively question Sanders, among others, while affirming his own (flawed) thesis. The author focuses on General Order No. 100, which "formalized" policies that "were considered humane and enlightened," while an "elaborate inspection system" confirmed they were "being complied with" (p. 4). Gillispie asserts that "Northern officials tried more often than not to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, and medical care for Confederate inmates" (p. 72). The author provides "mini studies" of nine Yankee prisons and attempts to reinforce his points by comparing mortality rates with those of the South's largest hospital.	. . .

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