Prisoners of War

During the War around 647,000 prisoners were taken by both sides. This number represents roughly 16% of all total enlistments. Of these 647,000 prisoners about 56,000 of them died in captivity. In the North about 12% of Confederate prisoners died in the camps. In the South roughly 15% of Union prisoners died. Both sides were nearly equal in their mistreatment of prisoners and struggled with basic things such as food, clothing, and shelter. The picture above shows a small group of Confederate prisoners, and the one below shows a large group of Union prisoners being moved.