Who was the only Confederate soldier executed for war crimes and commanded the stockade in Andersonville prison?

• A. Robert E. Lee
• B. Henry Wirz
• C. James Longstreet
• D. Stonewall Jackson

Answer: (B)

Henry Wirz is known for being the only Confederate soldier who was executed for war crimes during the Civil War. He served as the commandant of the Andersonville prison camp, which was notorious for its horrific conditions and high mortality rate among its prisoners. The prison housed Union soldiers who faced severe shortages of food, shelter, and medical care, leading to extensive suffering and death. After the war, Wirz was tried for his role in these war crimes, where prosecutors focused on the treatment and suffering of the Union prisoners at Andersonville. His execution was a significant event as it highlighted the brutality faced by soldiers during the conflict and underscored the accountability that military leaders held for their actions taken during wartime.