Soldiers are like Fisherman

From: Early History Wilkesville and Salem Centre
pub 1874

When I first read J. G. Miller's claim that he spent 19 months in Andersonville, I admit, my first response was horror. Then, I shook my head and went, "What? No way."

You see, there's a wee problem with his statement - no one was taken directly to Andersonville! It didn't exist. There was no Andersonville prison. The Battle of Chickamauga was Sept. 18 - 21, 1863. Andersonville didn't begin construction until early 1864, and didn't accept the first inmates until Feb. 27, 1864. That's a little over 5 months after Chickamauga. Plus, Andersonville only operated for 14 months, not 19. Thus! Miller, like a fisherman, lied.

There was a lot of that back then. Several weeks back, I contacted my old high school history teacher, who is our local historian. Yes, he's still alive. lol He said that after the war, folks were claiming to have been involved in the underground railroad - they weren't, but they wanted to look good. 

Soldiers were no different. 

Anyway, I called the Chickamauga National Military Park to get the low down on this stuff. The truth of the matter is, Miller, along with all the other POW's were split up and taken to various smaller camps. Once Andersonville was built, some were taken there.

Now, is it possible he wasn't even at Andersonville? Yes. But I don't know for sure. So, I sent an email to Andersonville National Cemetery to see if he had ever been there. I'm waiting to hear back. :) I also asked if any soldier actually survived all 14 months at Andersonville. Because, yes, there is the possibility that he was a prisoner in a small camp for 5 months and then spent 14 months in Andersonville. Personally, I have my doubts, but when ANC gets back to me, I'll know for sure.  :) 

Anyway, this is why solid research when writing anything historical is so important. Just because it's written in a history book doesn't make it fact. You need to check out as many other books, articles, newspapers, etc, to have a more accurate account. I've made a few mistakes of my own while researching this book. And I've learned a lot from those mistakes.

Oh, what the heck. I'll give you another example of why checking multiple sources is important. The house down the road from me (no longer exists) was a genuine safe house in the underground. One person I interviewed said there was a pump organ in the house. Two more people said it was a player piano. A couple people said there were multiple tunnels. Two said there was only one that lead straight up the hill. 

Reality - it was a player piano, not a pump organ. Second reality - there was only one tunnel.

So, research your heart out folks!  :) And never accept the first answer as being the truth.

I'll let you know whether Miller was ever at Andersonville!