As I continue my journey into understanding the life and hardships of my 3rd great-grandfather, Jasper Killion, who was imprisoned at Andersonville during the Civil War, I've come across some fascinating details that shed light on the dire conditions he endured. One thing that particularly stood out to me was the mention of cod liver oil as a difficult supply to obtain, which was needed for soldiers during the war, especially for those trapped in the unforgiving environment of Andersonville.
Jasper served in the Union's 57th Indiana Infantry, G Company unit, and was captured during the Battle of Franklin, Tennessee, on November 30, 1864. After being captured, he was taken to Andersonville Prison in Georgia, where he would remain until the end of the Civil War and his release on April 13, 1865. The brutal conditions of Andersonville, with its overcrowded, unsanitary environment, were a nightmare for the prisoners. Jasper, one of the lucky few who survived, undoubtedly faced significant health challenges, and many of these challenges were compounded by malnutrition, disease, and the conditions within the stockyard the prisoners were kept in.
In a recent reading, I came across a blog, Winter's Prisoners, by Christian Warren, that helped me understand why cod liver oil would have been so vital. While we often hear about vitamin D in the modern world, we might not realize just how important it was in the 19th century. Cod liver oil was a rich source of this essential "sunshine vitamin," crucial for bone health, calcium absorption, and overall metabolic function. For Civil War soldiers, especially during the winter months, cod liver oil was thought to help ward off illnesses like rickets, tuberculosis, and other ailments that flourished in cold, damp conditions.
The article by Warren explains how cod liver oil was historically used to treat a variety of conditions, from rickets to tuberculosis, and was especially important for those living in poor conditions, like the prisoners at Andersonville. For Jasper and the other prisoners, access to cod liver oil might have been a small yet significant lifeline—something that could have helped prevent or ease the physical decline caused by their harsh surroundings. Unfortunately, as with many resources at the prison, it was scarce, and its absence likely contributed to the deteriorating health of many of the men on both sides of the war.
It's difficult to imagine how something as simple as cod liver oil could have such a profound impact on survival, but as we look back at Jasper’s story, we realize that even the smallest of provisions, like vitamin D-rich cod liver oil, could have been the difference between life and death.
As I continue researching Jasper's health decline at Andersonville, I can't help but reflect on how those who survived faced not only the brutality of war but also the lack of basic medical care and treatment. Small things, like cod liver oil, may have been more significant than we can even imagine. Understanding this adds another layer to my mission of uncovering the details of Jasper's life and the resilience he had to survive under such unimaginable conditions.
What do you think? Can something as simple as a bottle of cod liver oil make a difference in survival? Let’s continue this conversation as I explore more about my family’s history and how these seemingly small pieces of the past have a lasting impact on our understanding of resilience during the Civil War.
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