Degree Name
MA (Master of Arts)
Program
History
Date of Award
5-2005
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Andrew L. Slap
Committee Members
Elwood D. Watson, Stephen G Fritz
Abstract
This thesis examines the interaction between the Union Prison System led by William Hoffman and the Confederate prisoners-of-war, specifically those held at Elmira, New York. By focusing on Hoffman's actions and decisions in the last year of the war, the Confederate death toll can be better understood.
The treatise relies heavily on The War Of The Rebellion: A Compilation Of The Official Records Of The Union And Confederate Armies. Two studies were indispensable for this study: Hesseltine's Civil War Prisons: A Study In War Psychology, and Leslie's Hunter's Ph.D. Disseration, Warden For The Union: William Hoffman (1807-1884).
The conclusions of my research are: (A) William Hoffman developed a change in actions in 1864, and (B) these actions continued in the last year of the war. As a result of his actions and other factors, Elmira had the highest percentage of death of any Union prison camp. Hoffman's actions led to a higher death rate of Confederate prisoners than has been previously recognized.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Jernigan, Thomas Watson, "Death at Elmira: George W. Jernigan, William Hoffman, and the Union Prison System." (2005). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1017. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1017
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.