Camp Randall, Alice Waterman, and the Culture of Death: Madison's Steps to Reconnection

Abstract

As the American Civil War ran its course, soldiers found themselves captured and placed in the POW camps of the opposing side. One such camp was located in Madison, Wisconsin for a brief period of time. As Confederate soldiers arrived at Camp Randall in 1862, the city of Madison greeted them and helped them adjust to their new surroundings. Many soldiers were ill from the trip to Wisconsin and the majority were placed in the makeshift hospital. Unfortunately, Camp Randall was unsuccessful at caring for many of the soldiers. As they died, they were buried in a corner of Forest Hill Cemetery on the outskirts of Madison. Mrs. Alice Waterman spent many years of her life caring for the graves of the soldiers. Soon after her death, F.W. Oakley spent much of his energy in conversation with southern citizens to build a monument for Mrs. Waterman. Congress was lobbied by individuals to appropriate money to help care for buried soldiers all across the nation. This paper looks at the case study that is Madison, Wisconsin during and after the Civil War. It details the steps taken by a number of citizens as they tried to help their Confederate brothers. This paper then discusses the culture of death during the Civil War and what was done to try and respect those that had fought together as a nation instead of separately.