Two Authors to sign books at park’s Living History Weekend

Date: March 8, 2011
Contact: Eric Leonard, 229 924-0343
Contact: Renee Frye, 229 924-0343 x 204

The National Park Service and Eastern National will be hosting author Bob O'Connor at the National Prisoner of War Museum at Andersonville National Historic Site on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, March 11, 12, and 13th from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. His recent book, U.S. Colored Troops at Andersonville Prison, is a tribute to the soldiers who suffered the hardships of one of the most notorious prisons of the Civil War.

Mr. O'Connor describes a brief history of African American soldiers dating back to the Revolutionary War and explains Order Number 143 that was set up by the War Department in 1863 to establish the Bureau of Colored Troops. He also details the differences in the pay scale for U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) verses white troops, portrays military actions of the USCT, lists the more than 100 USCT prisoners held captive at Andersonville, and shows pictures of the 34 USCT graves in Andersonville National Cemetery. As the nation begins a four-year commemoration of the Civil War, Mr. O'Connor sheds light on one of the lesser known chapters of Andersonville's complex story.

On Saturday, March 12, Barry L. Brown, co-author of Crossroads of Conflict, a new guide to Civil War sites in Georgia, will be present to sign copies of his book. Based on a comprehensive survey of sites identified by the Georgia Civil War Commission, Crossroads of Conflict covers 350 historic sites in detail, bringing the experience of the war to life.

Eastern National is a 501(c)3 non-profit cooperating association, operating in more than 150 national parks, including Andersonville National Historic Site. Proceeds from the Eastern National sales outlet at the National Prisoner of War Museum are donated to the National Park Service to support educational and interpretive programs. For more information please contact Eastern National bookstore manager Renee Frye at 229 924-0343 x 204.

The National Prisoner of War Museum at Andersonville National Historic Site is located on Georgia State Highway 49 ten miles north of Americus and ten miles south of Montezuma. Park grounds are open from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm with the museum opening at 8:30 am. Admission is free. For more information on the park, call 229 924-0343, visit on the web at www.nps.gov/ande/, or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/AndersonvilleNPS