Uncovering the Story of Georgia's Camp Lawton Civil War Prison

Stockade at Camp Lawton

Camp Lawton was a Confederate POW camp built in the late summer and early fall of 1864 to relieve the overcrowded Camp Sumter at Andersonville. The site today is part of Magnolia Springs State Park near Millen, Georgia.
Two summers of archaeological work at the site by Georgia Southern University have uncovered a wide array of new information about the short-lived prison camp. It was only used for six weeks before the approach of Sherman's army forced its evacuation, but the prisoners left behind a surprising number of artifacts that tell the story of their time there.

Monument at Camp Lawton Site

These include a unique ring, buckles and other items with military insignia that help identify the locations in the 42-acre stockade where men from various regiments lived, archaeological evidence of their furniture, shanties, cookfires and more. The researchers have also uncovered traces of the stockade itself and related structures.

Earthworks of Confederate Fort

Some of the artifacts are already on display at the museum at Georgia Southern in Statesboro. Key items from this summer's work will be added to the exhibits in October.

At the prison site itself, it is possible to see the area where the stockade stood, the spring that provided water for the prisoners, the well-preserved earthworks of Confederate forts that overlooked the POW camp. Interpretive panels and other signage help explain the significance of the site and its history.

To learn more, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/camplawton.