Point Lookout, Maryland: The Largest Civil War Prison

The name Point Lookout conjures images of suffering and despair, a notorious Federal prison camp where thousands of Confederate captives endured unimaginable hardships. As the exchange cartel collapsed and relentless campaigns swelled Northern prisons beyond capacity, Point Lookout emerged in July 1863 as a grim solution. Officially dubbed “Camp Hoffman,” this sprawling 45-acre compound on Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay opened in the shadow of Gettysburg and soon became the largest prison of the Civil War. By August 1865, more than 52,000 prisoners had crossed its gates, marking it as a cornerstone of the “second wave” of Union prison camps.

In this meticulous and groundbreaking study Point Lookout, Maryland: The Largest Civil War Prison, author Robert Crickenberger reexamines Point Lookout with fresh eyes, peeling back layers of myth to reveal a more nuanced truth. While prison camps often fade into the background of Civil War narratives, overshadowed by the battles that filled them, Crickenberger brings Point Lookout into sharp focus. Challenging the traditional portrayal of guards as uniformly brutal and prisoners as mere victims, he draws on extensive, previously unpublished research to explore the complex experiences of both. Postwar accounts, steeped in survivor bias and “Lost Cause” rhetoric, have long dominated the story—until now.

This thought-provoking work dismantles accepted assumptions, offering a balanced perspective that questions the validity of memoirs taken as gospel by earlier scholars. From the camp’s daily realities to its broader impact on the prisoner-of-war system, Crickenberger’s scholarship, based on extensive primary accounts, illuminates Point Lookout’s critical role in shaping not only the Civil War but also the future of American incarceration. A vital resource for historians and casual readers alike, this book uncovers an overlooked chapter of history with clarity, depth, and unflinching honesty.

Advance Praise

“Mr. Crickenberger has written a masterful book on the history of one particular Civil War prisoner-of-war camp, Point Lookout in Southern Maryland. He deftly avoids the trap of arguing which side’s camps were the worst, but presents an even-handed, detailed, readable, and factual account of every aspect of that one camp. His work serves as a model for any such undertaking for other Civil War POW camps. A must-read for any Civil War buff and the general public.” — Ross Kimmel, historian and co-author of “I’m Busy Drawing Pictures”: The Civil War Art and Letters of Private John Jacob Omenhausser, CSA

“When the average Civil War buff thinks of confinement areas for captured soldiers, the Confederate prison camp at Andersonville immediately comes to mind. Few are aware of the massive Union prison camp, Camp Hoffman, located at Point Lookout in Maryland. Crickenberger spent years of intensive research and hands-on restoration to produce a masterwork on the prison at Point Lookout.” — Joseph G. Bilby, author of numerous works, including Three Rousing Cheers: A History of the Fifteenth New Jersey from Flemington to Appomattox

“For more than 45 years, Robert Crickenberger has dedicated himself to exploring the history of Point Lookout, meticulously researching and portraying prisoner life there. Crickenberger is also the park’s most dedicated volunteer and historian. His extensive knowledge and unwavering commitment have significantly shaped the park as we know it today, leaving behind an enduring legacy. We take immense pride in his life’s work and are grateful for the wisdom he has imparted to generations of park employees.” — Ranger Jonas Williams, Area Manager, Point Lookout State Park

“The best books are written by authors with a passion for their subject. Point Lookout, Maryland is such a book. Bob Crickenberger has spent years not only researching but exploring and helping to preserve Point Lookout, Maryland. Leaving no stone unturned, his research has delved into repositories and histories that are seldom, if ever, touched. Using that, along with his knowledge of ‘The Point,’ his writing deftly brings to light aspects of its history that have never been seen before. This book will absolutely set the gold standard for any contemporary work on Civil War prisons.” — Marc Storch, Civil War author and magazine contributor

“During the American Civil War, being captured and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp was nearly as dangerous as being in combat. In Point Lookout, Maryland, Civil War expert and living historian Bob Crickenberger delves into the murky and often-overlooked world of prison camps. In particular, the author focuses on Point Lookout, Maryland. In a camp designed to hold 10,000 men, upwards of 52,000 were held between July 1863 and August 1865. More than 4,000 of those men died. Living in squalor with poor sanitation and often crammed 16 men to a tent, death was a constant specter. With meticulous research and dedication, Crickenberger examines the bleak history that made Point Lookout the largest, and one of the war’s most notorious, prison camps North or South. This book is a worthy addition to any Civil War buff’s library.” — Larry Alexander, New York Times best-selling author of Biggest Brother: The Life of Major Dick Winters, the Man Who Led the Band of Brothers

“Civil War prison camps were terrible places, largely because neither side planned ahead for them or knew how to. One of the largest and worst was the Union prison camp at Point Lookout, Maryland, whose story has not been known totally until now. Historian Robert Crickenberger has spent most of his life studying this camp and now presents its definitive study. The author draws deeply and widely from primary sources written by prisoners as well as their guards to give a complete and unbiased picture of the actual conditions at the camp, as well as its impact on its local community. This is a much-needed account of the Point Lookout prison that also examines the whole prisoner-of-war system during the Civil War.” — Dr. David Martin, historian and author of Gettysburg July 1