| Chapter Eleven of Pax Americana: The Military Industrial Complex and the War On Terror by Danny Quintana |
| The Historical Treatment of Prisoners of War |
Despite Eisenhower’s warning, our country now finds itself in a conflict in Mesopotamia and Afghanistan. This conflict has resulted in the
capture of “enemy” combatants. Some of these combatants have been humiliated, tortured and even killed. Their interrogation has become
the subject on international scandal and debate. What is the proper method to obtain needed intelligence information to protect our great
empire? We begin not where we presently are, with the most powerful military in human history. We go back in time to the dawn of civilization
and carefully study how humans have treated and interrogated captured souls.
capture of “enemy” combatants. Some of these combatants have been humiliated, tortured and even killed. Their interrogation has become
the subject on international scandal and debate. What is the proper method to obtain needed intelligence information to protect our great
empire? We begin not where we presently are, with the most powerful military in human history. We go back in time to the dawn of civilization
and carefully study how humans have treated and interrogated captured souls.
The interrogation of prisoners of war is as old as civilization itself. Our story begins in the “cradle of civilization”, Iraq. This ancient country has
a rich history. Some of the world’s greatest civilizations developed in the ancient land of Mesopotamia, the plain between Euphrates and Tigris
rivers, site of present day Iraq. This is the site of the first writings of humans. The ancient empire of Sumer and one of humanity’s first cities’,
Ur in Mesopotamia, was located in the site of modern day Iraq. 1
Our troops are now fighting and dying where mankind originated the concept of “war”. Mesopotamia was settled by, and later conquered by
numerous ancient civilizations, including Sumer, Babylon, Assyria, Akkad and various others. Peoples who threatened or invaded these lands
include Egypt, the Hittites, Elam and the Persians. 2 With war come prisoners.
In ancient times, prisoners of war were treated without mercy. Unlike today, war in ancient times required far more courage. Combat was hand
to hand with swords and spears, not guns and bombs. You did not have to be so gutless that you could pull a trigger or push a button. You
saw your enemy, looked into his eyes and he either killed you or you killed him. Leaders like Alexander the Great, fought along side their
troops and desplayed incredible courage. A person’s valor was a part of being a man. There were no deferments from combat. Leaders who
did not kill others in war were not respected and would not be followed. If you were captured in war, you probably were killed. With the Greeks,
it was common practice to kill every adult male of the territories they conquered. 3
The ancient Britons were equally barbarous in their treatment of prisoners of war. 4 Often, the conquered people were moved to a different
land and held there in captivity as a new slave class. Some of the more famous historical deportations occurred in this manner. The famous
Jewish captavity in Babolyon is part of this rich history.
a rich history. Some of the world’s greatest civilizations developed in the ancient land of Mesopotamia, the plain between Euphrates and Tigris
rivers, site of present day Iraq. This is the site of the first writings of humans. The ancient empire of Sumer and one of humanity’s first cities’,
Ur in Mesopotamia, was located in the site of modern day Iraq. 1
Our troops are now fighting and dying where mankind originated the concept of “war”. Mesopotamia was settled by, and later conquered by
numerous ancient civilizations, including Sumer, Babylon, Assyria, Akkad and various others. Peoples who threatened or invaded these lands
include Egypt, the Hittites, Elam and the Persians. 2 With war come prisoners.
In ancient times, prisoners of war were treated without mercy. Unlike today, war in ancient times required far more courage. Combat was hand
to hand with swords and spears, not guns and bombs. You did not have to be so gutless that you could pull a trigger or push a button. You
saw your enemy, looked into his eyes and he either killed you or you killed him. Leaders like Alexander the Great, fought along side their
troops and desplayed incredible courage. A person’s valor was a part of being a man. There were no deferments from combat. Leaders who
did not kill others in war were not respected and would not be followed. If you were captured in war, you probably were killed. With the Greeks,
it was common practice to kill every adult male of the territories they conquered. 3
The ancient Britons were equally barbarous in their treatment of prisoners of war. 4 Often, the conquered people were moved to a different
land and held there in captivity as a new slave class. Some of the more famous historical deportations occurred in this manner. The famous
Jewish captavity in Babolyon is part of this rich history.
For most of ancient human history, prisoners of war, including women, children, and elders, were killed, tortured, enslaved, or held for
ransom. The prisoners' helplessness allowed the captors to indulge the darkest human fantasies. Revenge was a big part of the vicious
behavior. Cuneiform tablets from ancient times, discovered by archaeologists, bear messages such as:
"I have captured many men alive; with some I have had their hands or arms cut off, with others their nose or ears. I have put out the eyes of
many—torn out the tongues of others—cut off their lips."
During the Punic Wars, the Romans and Carthaginians crucified each other's generals. 5
If a combatant had the misfortune of being on the losing side of a conflict, and if they were not killed in combat or tortured to death after
capture, they would probably spend the rest of their miserable lives in slavery. The ancient democratic Greeks had a slave population that
exceeded the number of citizens. Many of their slaves came from people captured in war. 6
Among the noble, nature loving, Native American tribes like the Iroquois, torturing prisoners of war was a important part of their culture:
ransom. The prisoners' helplessness allowed the captors to indulge the darkest human fantasies. Revenge was a big part of the vicious
behavior. Cuneiform tablets from ancient times, discovered by archaeologists, bear messages such as:
"I have captured many men alive; with some I have had their hands or arms cut off, with others their nose or ears. I have put out the eyes of
many—torn out the tongues of others—cut off their lips."
During the Punic Wars, the Romans and Carthaginians crucified each other's generals. 5
If a combatant had the misfortune of being on the losing side of a conflict, and if they were not killed in combat or tortured to death after
capture, they would probably spend the rest of their miserable lives in slavery. The ancient democratic Greeks had a slave population that
exceeded the number of citizens. Many of their slaves came from people captured in war. 6
Among the noble, nature loving, Native American tribes like the Iroquois, torturing prisoners of war was a important part of their culture:
"The Assyrian conquerors invented a new policy towards the conquered: in order
to prevent nationalist revolts by the conquered people, the Assyrians would force
the people they conquered to migrate in large numbers to other areas of the
empire. Besides guaranteeing the security of an empire built off of conquered
people of different cultures and languages, these mass deportations of the
populations in the Middle East, Mesopotamia, and Armenia, turned the region into
a melting pot of diverse cultures, religions, and languages. Whereas there would
be little cultural contact between the conquered and the conquerors in early
Mesopotamian history, under the Assyrians the entire area became a vast
experiment in cultural mixing. It was the Assyrian monarch, Sargon II (721-705
BC), who first forcefully relocated Hebrews after the conquest of Israel, the
northern kingdom of the Hebrews " 4
to prevent nationalist revolts by the conquered people, the Assyrians would force
the people they conquered to migrate in large numbers to other areas of the
empire. Besides guaranteeing the security of an empire built off of conquered
people of different cultures and languages, these mass deportations of the
populations in the Middle East, Mesopotamia, and Armenia, turned the region into
a melting pot of diverse cultures, religions, and languages. Whereas there would
be little cultural contact between the conquered and the conquerors in early
Mesopotamian history, under the Assyrians the entire area became a vast
experiment in cultural mixing. It was the Assyrian monarch, Sargon II (721-705
BC), who first forcefully relocated Hebrews after the conquest of Israel, the
northern kingdom of the Hebrews " 4
After a very controversial trial, where the Defendant Wirz presented evidence that he was the scapegoat for the crimes of others, he was
found guilty and executed on November 10, 1865. 14 Like today’s Abu Ghuraib prison scandal, the shocking conditions of Andersonville
required someone to be held accountable. When Union forces liberated the prison they found walking skeletons and other scenes of
depredation. 15 The end of slavery led to the concept of codes of conduct on how wars are conducted and originated during the mid 1800’s.
Now that we are more enlightened, with women having the right to vote (1919), Native Americans are citizens, (1924) and all Americans
having civil rights, (1964), prisoners of war have the full and complete legal protection under international law.
found guilty and executed on November 10, 1865. 14 Like today’s Abu Ghuraib prison scandal, the shocking conditions of Andersonville
required someone to be held accountable. When Union forces liberated the prison they found walking skeletons and other scenes of
depredation. 15 The end of slavery led to the concept of codes of conduct on how wars are conducted and originated during the mid 1800’s.
Now that we are more enlightened, with women having the right to vote (1919), Native Americans are citizens, (1924) and all Americans
having civil rights, (1964), prisoners of war have the full and complete legal protection under international law.
 | |  | |  |
"If prisoners were taken alive, they were tortured to death in lengthy ceremonies;
theprisoner's skin stripped in pieces, his fingers cut off, fire applied to his genitals,
his scalp taken and the ghastly wound cauterized with pitch. Though it was
extraordinarily cruel, there were odd elements of compassion. The victim was
given water and his wounds were tended to before the ritual continued, a grisly
pas-de-deux between torturer and prisoner. The public ceremony was an
affirmation of a people's solidarity in the face of their enemies. They would be
protected. Their warriors could strike fear into their enemies' hearts. And the
invader would be destroyed. It ended finally with the warrior's beheading on
a scaffold. It was to everyone's advantage if the prisoner died well. The villagers
ate parts or all of his body and absorbed his courage." 7
theprisoner's skin stripped in pieces, his fingers cut off, fire applied to his genitals,
his scalp taken and the ghastly wound cauterized with pitch. Though it was
extraordinarily cruel, there were odd elements of compassion. The victim was
given water and his wounds were tended to before the ritual continued, a grisly
pas-de-deux between torturer and prisoner. The public ceremony was an
affirmation of a people's solidarity in the face of their enemies. They would be
protected. Their warriors could strike fear into their enemies' hearts. And the
invader would be destroyed. It ended finally with the warrior's beheading on
a scaffold. It was to everyone's advantage if the prisoner died well. The villagers
ate parts or all of his body and absorbed his courage." 7
With the ancient Aztecs, prisoners of war were used in elaborate rituals of human sacrifice to their various gods
“As many as 50,000 were sacrificed a year, including prisoners of war and salves.
Victims were brought to the summit of the pyramid temple, and a priest would slice
open the chest and remove the heart, sometimes "feeding" it to the hummingbird
statue of Huitzilopochtli. The Aztecs believed that this god required the most
human sacrifices for strength in battle and to maintain the sun. ”8
Victims were brought to the summit of the pyramid temple, and a priest would slice
open the chest and remove the heart, sometimes "feeding" it to the hummingbird
statue of Huitzilopochtli. The Aztecs believed that this god required the most
human sacrifices for strength in battle and to maintain the sun. ”8
The Incas, the Mayans, the Toltecs, the Olmecs and numerous other South and Central American cultures used prisoners of war for human
sacrifice. But the reality is, in other parts of the world, the best the losers in war could hope for was survival. Life was difficult enough in
ancient times. And in many parts of the ancient world, like today, life was cheap. Individuals were not valued, as the modern concepts of
human dignity and liberty simply did not exist. More often then not, combatants on the losing end of a battle were slaughtered: When
‘‘400,000 survivors from the Chinese state of Zhao’s 450,000-strong army surrendered to the Qin general Bo Qi’’ at the Battle of Changping
in 260 B.C., relates Hobbes, ‘‘every last man was put to death.’’ When Marcus Crassus defeated Spartacus and his slave revolt in 71 B.C.,
‘‘the Romans crucified 6,000 captured slaves along the Appian Way as a warning to others.’ 9
Like today, despite our claims to the contrary, human life was generally not respected or valued. Prisoners of war were considered completely
expendable. In ancient times, there was not the infrastructure to detain captured individuals, much less be concerned about the non-existent
concept of “human rights”. Societies were in their infancy and did not have the food and material resources to house thousands of prisoners.
It was often difficult enough for these ancient societies to feed their own, much less feeding and housing people who were trying to kill you.
There would also be the added risk not only of escape but if the detainees were eventually freed, they would remain a danger to the safety
and security of the prevailing party. The safest course of action was either to kill the detainees or better yet, sell them into slavery.
While this may seem very cruel today, in ancient times slavery at least meant survival. Slavery as a horrific practice only recently ended.
Although prohibited by the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1863, it officially was laid to rest in America after the civil war
in 1865 with the freeing of the South. Similarly, the slave trade ended in the 1800’s after great pressure and the armed might of the British
Navy. 10 Today’s modern concept of “prisoner rights” has it’s origin in the changing nature of how humans have come to view the world. The
most classic example of the change in thinking is the case of Confederate prison commander, Captain Henry Wirz. The notorious
Andersonville prison was the final resting place for many Union soldiers.
sacrifice. But the reality is, in other parts of the world, the best the losers in war could hope for was survival. Life was difficult enough in
ancient times. And in many parts of the ancient world, like today, life was cheap. Individuals were not valued, as the modern concepts of
human dignity and liberty simply did not exist. More often then not, combatants on the losing end of a battle were slaughtered: When
‘‘400,000 survivors from the Chinese state of Zhao’s 450,000-strong army surrendered to the Qin general Bo Qi’’ at the Battle of Changping
in 260 B.C., relates Hobbes, ‘‘every last man was put to death.’’ When Marcus Crassus defeated Spartacus and his slave revolt in 71 B.C.,
‘‘the Romans crucified 6,000 captured slaves along the Appian Way as a warning to others.’ 9
Like today, despite our claims to the contrary, human life was generally not respected or valued. Prisoners of war were considered completely
expendable. In ancient times, there was not the infrastructure to detain captured individuals, much less be concerned about the non-existent
concept of “human rights”. Societies were in their infancy and did not have the food and material resources to house thousands of prisoners.
It was often difficult enough for these ancient societies to feed their own, much less feeding and housing people who were trying to kill you.
There would also be the added risk not only of escape but if the detainees were eventually freed, they would remain a danger to the safety
and security of the prevailing party. The safest course of action was either to kill the detainees or better yet, sell them into slavery.
While this may seem very cruel today, in ancient times slavery at least meant survival. Slavery as a horrific practice only recently ended.
Although prohibited by the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1863, it officially was laid to rest in America after the civil war
in 1865 with the freeing of the South. Similarly, the slave trade ended in the 1800’s after great pressure and the armed might of the British
Navy. 10 Today’s modern concept of “prisoner rights” has it’s origin in the changing nature of how humans have come to view the world. The
most classic example of the change in thinking is the case of Confederate prison commander, Captain Henry Wirz. The notorious
Andersonville prison was the final resting place for many Union soldiers.
“Prisoners were first sent to Andersonville in March of 1864. The camp was
designed to hold a maximum of 10,000 men. By August of that year there were
over 33,000 sick and malnourished inmates crammed within the stockade walls.
By the end of the war in April 1865, a total of 45,000 had passed through the
prison's heavy gates. Nearly 13,000 did not leave the prison camp alive. A Union
enlisted man had a better chance of surviving the Battle of Antietam than of living
through the horror of Camp Sumter.” 11
designed to hold a maximum of 10,000 men. By August of that year there were
over 33,000 sick and malnourished inmates crammed within the stockade walls.
By the end of the war in April 1865, a total of 45,000 had passed through the
prison's heavy gates. Nearly 13,000 did not leave the prison camp alive. A Union
enlisted man had a better chance of surviving the Battle of Antietam than of living
through the horror of Camp Sumter.” 11
Once the shocking conditions that existed at Camp Sumter became public knowledge, an outraged victor, in this case the North, demanded
justice. “Most prisoners, Northern and Southern, regarded their camp commanders as sadistic monsters and Wirz was no exception. He was
indicted for murder, conspiracy (with General Winder and other Confederate officers) to commit murder, and willfully allowing the horrible
conditions to exist in Andersonville prison camp. On August 23, 1865 he was placed on trial before a military tribunal consisting of senior
officers in the Union army.” 12
The charges against Captain Wirz were:
justice. “Most prisoners, Northern and Southern, regarded their camp commanders as sadistic monsters and Wirz was no exception. He was
indicted for murder, conspiracy (with General Winder and other Confederate officers) to commit murder, and willfully allowing the horrible
conditions to exist in Andersonville prison camp. On August 23, 1865 he was placed on trial before a military tribunal consisting of senior
officers in the Union army.” 12
The charges against Captain Wirz were:
Charge One:
Captain Henry Wirz did maliciously, willfully, and traitorously, and in aid of the then-existing armed
rebellion against the United States of America, on or before the first day of March, AD 1864, and on
other days between that day and the tenth day of April, 1865, combining, confederating, and conspiring
together with John H. Winder, and others unknown, to injure the health and destroy the lives of soldiers
in the military service of the United States, then held and being prisoners-of-war within the lines of the
so-called Confederate States and in the military prisons thereof, to the end that the armies of the
United States might be weakened and impaired, in violation of the laws and customs of war.
Charge Two:
Captain Henry Wirz feloniously, willfully, and of his malice aforethought, did shoot, order to be shot, kick
punch, stomp, and torture several prisoners-of-war resulting in death.
Specifications of Charges:
The following are the specifications of charges against Henry Wirz:
Specification #1: Henry Wirz on the eight day of July, 1864, while acting as commander did make an
assault upon a prisoner (unknown name) inflicting upon the body a mortal wound with a pistol - the said
soldier died the ninth day of July, 1864.
Specification #2: On September 20th, 1864, Henry Wirz did with malice aforethought jump upon,
stamp, kick, bruise, and otherwise injure with the heels of his boots a soldier (unknown name)
belonging to the United States Army - the said soldier died.
Specification #3: On the 13th day of June, 1864, Henry Wirz, commander of the camp at
Andersonville of the so-called Confederate States of America did shoot and discharge a pistol inflicting
upon the body of a soldier (unknown name) a mortal wound from which the soldier died.
Specification #4: On May 30th, Henry Wirz with a certain pistol did feloniously and with malice
aforethought, inflict upon a soldier (unknown name) a mortal wound from which the soldier died.
Specification #5: On August 20th, 1864, Henry Wirz, an officer of the so-called Confederate States,
did confine and bind with instruments of torture a soldier belonging to the Army of the United States
(unknown name) and in consequence of such cruel treatment the said soldier died on the 30th day of
August.
Specification #6: On February 1, 1864, Henry Wirz did confine and bind a U. S. soldier (unknown
name) and from such torture he died on the 6th day.
Specification #7: On July 20, Henry Wirz did fasten and chain together several persons, soldiers of
the U. S. (unknown names) binding the necks and feet of said soldiers closely together and compelling
them to carry heavy burdens, large iron balls chained to their feet and in consequence of such
treatment one of them died.
Specification #8: May 15, 1864, Henry Wirz did order a rebel soldier (unknown name) to fire upon a
soldier of the U. S. Army (unknown name) inflicting upon him a mortal wound from which he died.
Specification #9: On the 21st day of July, Henry Wirz did order a rebel soldier (unknown name) to fire
upon a soldier, a prisoner of war (unknown name) inflicting a mortal wound from which the prisoner died.
Specification #10: On August 20, 1864, Henry Wirz did order a rebel soldier (unknown name) to fire
upon a U. S. soldier (unknown name) inflicting a mortal wound from which he died.
Specification #11: July 1, 1864, Henry Wirz did incite, and urge ferocious bloodhounds to pursue,
attack, wound, and tear in pieces soldiers belonging to the U. S. Army, and a prisoner (unknown name)
was so mortally wounded that on the sixth day he died.
Specification #12: On August 3rd, 1864, Henry Wirz with a pistol called a revolver did beat and bruise
the head, shoulders and breast of a soldier, a prisoner of war (unknown name) inflicting mortal wounds
from which he died August 4th, 1864. 13
Captain Henry Wirz did maliciously, willfully, and traitorously, and in aid of the then-existing armed
rebellion against the United States of America, on or before the first day of March, AD 1864, and on
other days between that day and the tenth day of April, 1865, combining, confederating, and conspiring
together with John H. Winder, and others unknown, to injure the health and destroy the lives of soldiers
in the military service of the United States, then held and being prisoners-of-war within the lines of the
so-called Confederate States and in the military prisons thereof, to the end that the armies of the
United States might be weakened and impaired, in violation of the laws and customs of war.
Charge Two:
Captain Henry Wirz feloniously, willfully, and of his malice aforethought, did shoot, order to be shot, kick
punch, stomp, and torture several prisoners-of-war resulting in death.
Specifications of Charges:
The following are the specifications of charges against Henry Wirz:
Specification #1: Henry Wirz on the eight day of July, 1864, while acting as commander did make an
assault upon a prisoner (unknown name) inflicting upon the body a mortal wound with a pistol - the said
soldier died the ninth day of July, 1864.
Specification #2: On September 20th, 1864, Henry Wirz did with malice aforethought jump upon,
stamp, kick, bruise, and otherwise injure with the heels of his boots a soldier (unknown name)
belonging to the United States Army - the said soldier died.
Specification #3: On the 13th day of June, 1864, Henry Wirz, commander of the camp at
Andersonville of the so-called Confederate States of America did shoot and discharge a pistol inflicting
upon the body of a soldier (unknown name) a mortal wound from which the soldier died.
Specification #4: On May 30th, Henry Wirz with a certain pistol did feloniously and with malice
aforethought, inflict upon a soldier (unknown name) a mortal wound from which the soldier died.
Specification #5: On August 20th, 1864, Henry Wirz, an officer of the so-called Confederate States,
did confine and bind with instruments of torture a soldier belonging to the Army of the United States
(unknown name) and in consequence of such cruel treatment the said soldier died on the 30th day of
August.
Specification #6: On February 1, 1864, Henry Wirz did confine and bind a U. S. soldier (unknown
name) and from such torture he died on the 6th day.
Specification #7: On July 20, Henry Wirz did fasten and chain together several persons, soldiers of
the U. S. (unknown names) binding the necks and feet of said soldiers closely together and compelling
them to carry heavy burdens, large iron balls chained to their feet and in consequence of such
treatment one of them died.
Specification #8: May 15, 1864, Henry Wirz did order a rebel soldier (unknown name) to fire upon a
soldier of the U. S. Army (unknown name) inflicting upon him a mortal wound from which he died.
Specification #9: On the 21st day of July, Henry Wirz did order a rebel soldier (unknown name) to fire
upon a soldier, a prisoner of war (unknown name) inflicting a mortal wound from which the prisoner died.
Specification #10: On August 20, 1864, Henry Wirz did order a rebel soldier (unknown name) to fire
upon a U. S. soldier (unknown name) inflicting a mortal wound from which he died.
Specification #11: July 1, 1864, Henry Wirz did incite, and urge ferocious bloodhounds to pursue,
attack, wound, and tear in pieces soldiers belonging to the U. S. Army, and a prisoner (unknown name)
was so mortally wounded that on the sixth day he died.
Specification #12: On August 3rd, 1864, Henry Wirz with a pistol called a revolver did beat and bruise
the head, shoulders and breast of a soldier, a prisoner of war (unknown name) inflicting mortal wounds
from which he died August 4th, 1864. 13
Notes:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. www.mcfly.org/wik/Mesopotamia
2. Ibid. See also Richard Hooker’s excellent site on ancient history at: Washington State University, World Civilizations
www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/WORLD.HTM
3. http://encarta.msn.com/text_761563989__1/Prisoners_of_War_(POWs).html
4. See Richard Hooker’s at: Washington State University, World Civilizations
5. http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/WORLD.HTM
“The POW in the American Imagination. Why we’re obsessed with American soldiers captured by the enemy.”
By David Greenberg, April 1, 2003 at:http://ancienthistory.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=ancienthistory&zu=http%
3A%2F%2Fslate.msn.com%2Fid%2F2080944%2F
6 Slavery in Ancient Greece at:www.crystalinks.com/greekslavery.html
7. Warring Nations at:http://history.cbc.ca/history/?MIval=EpContent.html&chapter_id=2&episode_id=1
8. Culture of the Aztecs at:http://stu.beloit.edu/~smolikl/aztecs.html
9. ‘‘Essential Militaria: Facts, Legends and Curiosities About Warfare Through the Ages’’ by Nicholas Hobbes; Grove at:
www.gmtoday.com/news/books/topstory34.asp
10. How Britain Ended Slavery Around the Globe, by Stephen Krasner, January 1, 2000 at:
www.theglobalist.com/DBWeb/printStoryId.aspx?StoryId=2202
11. Mrs. Newmark's Page of American History and Other Cool Stuff at:
http://home.att.net/~betsynewmark/Andersonville.html
12. Ibid.
13. Captain Wirz at: http://home.att.net/~betsynewmark/Andersonville.html Andersonville, ‘Earlier War Crimes ‘Abuse’ Trials by
Douglas Herman at: http://www.strike-the-root.com/4/herman/herman23.html In Andersonville, the Union troops were abandoned by the
stubbornness of Washington, by a government that considered them expendable, and by the severity of Wirz. In Iraq, the enlisted guards--
while certainly culpable--have been determined to be expendable to protect their more guilty superiors. In 1864-65, Secretary of War Edwin
Stanton said of Andersonville, "We will not exchange able-bodied men for skeletons," and "We do not propose to reinforce the rebel army by
exchanging prisoners." Union general Ulysses S. Grant, later to become president, confirmed this in his memoirs that a prisoner exchange
meant reinforcement of the rebel army. When the Union Army finally liberated Andersonville in May, 1865, they found walking skeletons amid
hellish scenes of desolation. Photographs of the prisoners were taken, and the following month, they appeared in Harper's Weekly. The
shocking photographs caused considerable anger, and calls were made for the people responsible to be punished for these crimes. It was
eventually decided to charge General Robert Lee, James Seddon, the Confederate Secretary of War, and several other Confederate
generals and politicians with "conspiring to injure the health and destroy the lives of United States soldiers held as prisoners by the
Confederate States." The charges against the others were eventually dropped--only Wirz would stand trial. See also, Shoales, Gary Parker,
Justice and Dissent: Ready-to Use Materials for Recreating Five Great Trials in American History, The Center for Applied Research in
Education, NewYork, 1995
14. Ibid.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. www.mcfly.org/wik/Mesopotamia
2. Ibid. See also Richard Hooker’s excellent site on ancient history at: Washington State University, World Civilizations
www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/WORLD.HTM
3. http://encarta.msn.com/text_761563989__1/Prisoners_of_War_(POWs).html
4. See Richard Hooker’s at: Washington State University, World Civilizations
5. http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/WORLD.HTM
“The POW in the American Imagination. Why we’re obsessed with American soldiers captured by the enemy.”
By David Greenberg, April 1, 2003 at:http://ancienthistory.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=ancienthistory&zu=http%
3A%2F%2Fslate.msn.com%2Fid%2F2080944%2F
6 Slavery in Ancient Greece at:www.crystalinks.com/greekslavery.html
7. Warring Nations at:http://history.cbc.ca/history/?MIval=EpContent.html&chapter_id=2&episode_id=1
8. Culture of the Aztecs at:http://stu.beloit.edu/~smolikl/aztecs.html
9. ‘‘Essential Militaria: Facts, Legends and Curiosities About Warfare Through the Ages’’ by Nicholas Hobbes; Grove at:
www.gmtoday.com/news/books/topstory34.asp
10. How Britain Ended Slavery Around the Globe, by Stephen Krasner, January 1, 2000 at:
www.theglobalist.com/DBWeb/printStoryId.aspx?StoryId=2202
11. Mrs. Newmark's Page of American History and Other Cool Stuff at:
http://home.att.net/~betsynewmark/Andersonville.html
12. Ibid.
13. Captain Wirz at: http://home.att.net/~betsynewmark/Andersonville.html Andersonville, ‘Earlier War Crimes ‘Abuse’ Trials by
Douglas Herman at: http://www.strike-the-root.com/4/herman/herman23.html In Andersonville, the Union troops were abandoned by the
stubbornness of Washington, by a government that considered them expendable, and by the severity of Wirz. In Iraq, the enlisted guards--
while certainly culpable--have been determined to be expendable to protect their more guilty superiors. In 1864-65, Secretary of War Edwin
Stanton said of Andersonville, "We will not exchange able-bodied men for skeletons," and "We do not propose to reinforce the rebel army by
exchanging prisoners." Union general Ulysses S. Grant, later to become president, confirmed this in his memoirs that a prisoner exchange
meant reinforcement of the rebel army. When the Union Army finally liberated Andersonville in May, 1865, they found walking skeletons amid
hellish scenes of desolation. Photographs of the prisoners were taken, and the following month, they appeared in Harper's Weekly. The
shocking photographs caused considerable anger, and calls were made for the people responsible to be punished for these crimes. It was
eventually decided to charge General Robert Lee, James Seddon, the Confederate Secretary of War, and several other Confederate
generals and politicians with "conspiring to injure the health and destroy the lives of United States soldiers held as prisoners by the
Confederate States." The charges against the others were eventually dropped--only Wirz would stand trial. See also, Shoales, Gary Parker,
Justice and Dissent: Ready-to Use Materials for Recreating Five Great Trials in American History, The Center for Applied Research in
Education, NewYork, 1995
14. Ibid.
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