Chase, if you get time, read 'Portals to Hell' by Lonnie Spears. You'll see that there was little case against Wirtz. The prisoners were eating the same food the guards were. There was no food. Think of the Southern part of Georgia at the time, there was no food or medicine. Wirtz sent some men to ask the Union for exchanges because of the conditions. They (prisoners) returned with the news that the Union did not wish to participate. Union prisons were not the kinder, gentler type of incarcaration some would like to think either. They had food and blankets they refused to give the prisoners. There were also records of torture. Ft Delaware had a CO who loved to hang men by their thumbs. This is documented behavior and it did not follow the rules of decency. I had grands at Delaware, Point Lookout and Elmira. Only one lived.

Pam