Date
4-17-2024
Department
College of Arts and Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in History (PhD)
Chair
Steven E. Woodworth
Keywords
Civil War, Prisoners of War, Lieber Code, Prisoner of War Law, Francis Lieber, Military History, Military Law
Disciplines
History
Recommended Citation
Burrell, Delynn Antoinette, "The Official POW’s Rights Beginning in the Civil War Forward: Co-Authored by Francis Lieber" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 5326.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/5326
Abstract
Historians have written many volumes on the Civil War, but few have examined the plight of prisoners of war. Although a few prominent historians wrote on the subject in the mid-nineteenth century, the topic quickly faded into obscurity until the mid to late twentieth century. Most historical works regarding prisoners of war focus more on individual prison camps rather than the system as a whole. This research seeks to fill the gap in the historiography of prisoners of war by examining the development of an official policy on their care and treatment. Through the examination of the War of the Rebellion: The Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, one can see that the policy went through various stages, including individual exchanges, an exchange cartel, and ultimately, the issuance of an official guide written by Dr. Francis Lieber. Issued as General Orders No. 100, also known as the Lieber Code, although not entirely focused on prisoners of war, it provided the necessary tools for the U.S. Army regarding their care and treatment and left an indelible mark on the international level for generations to come.
