Brigadier-General John H. Winder detailed Captains D.W. Volwes and W.S. Winder to select a healthful site near Millen. Magnolia Springs attracted their attention. A large prison camp would need a ready supply of drinking water. It would call for complete sewage disposal. The clean, swift spring water answered both needs, and the Magnolia Springs site was selected.

On August 7, 1864, General Winder approved the site and requested authority to impress negroes, teams and wagons, lumber and sawmills. He urged that work be started immediately.

But almost as soon as Millen Camp was pressed into service, it was again necessary to transfer the prisionsers. Sherman's troops, victorious at Atlanta, reached Millen in late November. Winder had already successfully removed the 10,000 prisoners to Savannah.

Six days later the Confederate General announced that camp evacuation was completed. Winder moved his headquarters to Augusta, as Sherman completely destroyed the junction of Millen and took over the prison camp and Fort Lawton.

Thus, in the brief span of four months, the largest prison camp in the world had been conceived, erected, used and abandoned. The only physical remains of the great prison are the ramparts of old Fort Lawton which guarded it from the hill above.