Marine Corps Logistics Command Albany, Ga. -- Raindrops soaked the shoes and feet of more than 100 Marine Corps Logistics Command Marines as they walked the hallowed grounds of the Andersonville National Historic Site where Civil War POWs were once held.
Throughout the rainy and gloomy day, Marines learned that weather was just one of the many hardships those POWs endured as they toured Camp Sumter, commonly known as the Andersonville Prison, and the National Prisoner of War Museum.
Marines also gathered under the Rostrum at the Andersonville National Cemetery where they listened to retired Army Maj. Nick Riviezzo recount how he became a POW during his last tour of duty in Vietnam. They also learned survival techniques and how to evade being captured from Army Maj. Glenn Anderson, commander of the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape School.
This staff ride is part of MARCORLOGCOM’s professional military education series designed to provide timeless lessons to officers and staff noncommissioned officers.
Camp Sumter, which was only in operation for fourteen months, was the largest and most famous of the 150 Civil War POW camps. During that time, 45,000 Union soldiers were imprisoned there and nearly 13,000 died from disease, poor sanitation, malnutrition, overcrowding, or exposure, according to www.nps.gov/ande/learn/historyculture/camp_sumter_history.htm. The prison site initially covered approximately 16 and a half acres of land, which was enclosed by a 15 foot high stockade wall. The prison was enlarged in June 1864 to 26 and a half acres to compensate for overpopulation.
Rod Bearman, communications specialist, G3/5, MARCORLOGCOM, said staff rides represent a unique method of conveying lessons of the past to the present-day Marine leadership.
“These exercises bring to life, on the very terrain where historic encounters took place, examples of leadership, tactics and strategy, communications, logistics, and psychology of leaders in battle,” Bearman said. “This historical study offered valuable opportunities to develop professional leadership and the capacity for effective use of Marine Corps warfighting principles.”
According to Bearman, Andersonville NHS showcases the moral and physical courage, resolution and determination of American POWs throughout history.
“POWs faced numerous challenges including isolation, deprivation, starvation and severe supply shortages,” he added. “Lessons in leadership and ethical conduct inherent to Andersonville transcend modern technological advances and have no historical bounds, no binding parameters of geography and time.”
Ryan O'Connell, seasonal park guide, Andersonville NHS, said he has given tours to many different groups, but feels that military groups value them more.
“I feel that military groups benefit greatly from these visits because the stories of Andersonville National Historic Site are about them,” O’Connell said. “It is easy to say that ‘freedom isn't free,’ and I think people understand that concept.”
The park guide continued by saying people often times do not examine the enduring cost and consequences of serving in the military.
“The cost for the men held here in Camp Sumter was their freedom, their heath, and in many cases, their lives,” he added. “Military groups visiting the park, especially the National Prisoner of War Museum, can see for themselves if and in what ways the treatment of prisoners of war has changed since the Civil War. They can consider what we have learned from those harsh lessons, like how such situations can get out of control and why the way prisoners of war are treated matters.”
O’Connell said he hopes the Marines now see more clearly how poor planning, logistics, and supplies can have tragic consequences.
“I would like the Marines to walk away from their visit with two thoughts: that those serving in the United States military can and have paid high personal costs for our freedom and that thorough logistical planning is essential for success,” he concluded.
Staff Sergeant Tara L. Ballard, company gunnery sergeant, Headquarters Company East, Marine Corps Logistics Command, was among many first-time visitors of Andersonville NHS.
“The staff ride gave a unique perspective on past and present day events that allow Marines to understand our history and what defines our core values of honor, courage and commitment,” Ballard said. “This particular staff ride provided the Marines an opportunity to visually see a historical site that had such an enormous impact during our nation's history, learn how the Andersonville National Historic Site was created and how it played such a significant role during the Civil War.”
Ballard said of the three sites toured that day, the POW Camp is the one she will never forget.
“The tour of the prison was an eye opener for me because of the living conditions American soldiers were exposed to when they were captured during the Civil War,” she added. “The sizeable death rate in such a short period of time was unbelievable.
“When you walk throughout the prison camp, it's hard to believe so many men were held there (unimaginable) conditions and to be able to stand on the same grounds as them makes you put your values into perspective,” she concluded.
During the PME, Marines toured the National Prisoner of War Museum where they saw displayed art, statues and artifacts from prison camps, as well as watched videos to help them understand what POWs went through during their capture.
Today, the Andersonville NHS serves as a memorial to all American POWs.
For more information about Andersonville NHS, visit www.nps.gov/ande/index.htm.