Discovering the History of POWs

The Georgia Southern Museum, Department of Sociology and Anthropology and Department of History have partnered to present “Captive Warriors: The History and Archaeology of POWs” at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12 at the Performing Arts Center, 847 Plant Drive.

The mini-conference will focus on the experiences of prisoners of war from the Civil War through World War I and will include presentations from Georgia Southern historians Brian Feltman and Michael Van Wagenen and archaeologist Lance Greene. Special guests include David Bush of Heidelberg College, the lead archaeologist from Johnson’s Island, Ohio which is the location of a Union prison camp for captured Confederate officers and historian John Derden, the author of The World’s Largest Prison: The Story of Camp Lawton. “This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in history or archaeology, or anyone learning about the major wars, especially the Civil War,” said Peggy Hargis, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. “We’re very excited to be able to bring John Derden to campus. He was working on the history of Camp Lawton before Georgia Southern archaeologists uncovered the site, and he is a wealth of information about the prison camp.” In between presentations, people can buy copies of Derden’s book along with Van Wagenen’s Remembering the Forgotten War: The Enduring Legacies of the U.S.-Mexican War and Bush’s Fear I shall Never Leave This Island: Life in a Civil War Prison. Those interested in buying books are asked to bring cash or check. After the presentations, a book signing and reception will be held at the Georgia Southern Museum along with tours of the Camp Lawton exhibit. All events are free and open to everyone. Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 120 degree programs serving more than 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.