When General PGT Beauregard fired the first cannon that began the bombardment of Ft. Sumter in April 1861, everyone expected the war would be over soon. Both sides hoped to fight a decisive battle and march into Richmond or Washington and peace would follow. Salisbury,NC was home to a prison camp for Union prisoners and others who needed to be kept out of circulation for the good of the Confederacy. At first everything was rather congenial, and gentlemanly. The war had gone somewhat according to chivalry and prisoners were treated quite well. The prisoners were reasonably fed, had clean water available from several wells, and in general, the health of all was good. Even baseball games were held and the escape rate was low. The prisoners who died received military funerals and honors.
The chivalry of the early war days began to wilt with battles that saw high casualties like Antietam, humiliating defeats like Chancellorsville and all out bloodshed for three days at Gettysburg. But as the war dragged on, as the Army of the Potomac retreated and fled on several occasions, the camp saw more prisoners than it could handle. Neither the Union of Confederacy had experience or even a plan to deal with large numbers of prisoners. The Confederacy had problems with getting war materiel to the troops and all supplies were needed for the war effort, not prisoners.
From a casual atmosphere at Salisbury, a more survival oriented existence became a daily problem. Food, clean water and adequate shelter and clothing were scarce, no more baseball or relaxation, just living became the goal. Salisbury Prison Camp became a place where death. was the only sure escape from misery and sickness. No one planned this, and no one had a plan to make the camp work. Men died and were buried in common graves. Today these silent, grass covered tombs remind us of how quickly war can change priorities.