George W Hicks

Army Northern Virginia George W Hicks

Death's dark folds envelop emaciated men struggling in Prisoner of War camps both north and south. Reports Elmira Surgeon E. F. Sanger: "[We] have averaged daily 451 in hospital and 601 in quarters.... At this rate the entire command [of 10,000 Confederate POW's] will be admitted to the hospital in less than a year and 36 per-cent [will] die." As POW death camps fill to overflowing, the eastern war continues. General Robert E. Lee attacks with his Army of Northern Virginia in October but later settles into former defensive positions. Names such as Bristoe Station, Rappahannock Station, and Mine Run are added to battle flags. Meanwhile, Confederate regiments engage bandits and deserters in western North Carolina.