Hello Linda, I think that sometimes we all forget just how cruel the WAR became in the final year especially for the prisoners of WAR.

At Camp Chase more the 50% of the deaths for the entire WAR would occur in the shortest year of the WAR in 1865. I would NOT be surprised to learn that other Northern Prison Camps would also have such high death rates in 1865.

My own personal opinion is that Lincoln had doubts on being re-elected in 1864 and wanted to see the WAR end during his first term if possible. The Northern War machine went into action in the summer of 1864 with Grant as its leader. In Cincinnati Grant gave Sherman his orders and Grant stopped the prisoner exchange as much as possible. Both Cold Harbor and Kennesaw Mountain were prime examples of how far the North was willingly to go to end the WAR as quick as possible. Insofar as the Northern POW camps their orders were simple, a weak prisoner cannot make a successful escape, restrict their food rations and ruin their morale. Sherman making War on civilians was another example of taking the fighting spirit out of the South.

During the days of the WBTS the President was sworn in on March 4th NOT on January 20 as it is today. Just look how close Lincoln came. Lee would surrender on April 9th just 30 odd days of Lincoln's first term.

Of course Lincoln was re-elected but by then the screws had been turned too tight to turn back. In that respect a lot of men died in vain. Anyway that is my own personal opinion of why the WAR became so cruel during its last year. Innocent people would have to pay the supreme price, it seems they always do.