Elmira was a prison camp made by the Union to keep there prisons the Confederates. This prison camp was in use in July 6,1864 until autumn in 1865. Many of the Confederates usually died from disease, the harsh winter and lack of food. The camp shut down in 1865 September and was turned into farm land. This was shown in the movie when Johns brother Luke was sent there and John and Jonas and Johns sister went to save him because he was so sick. They ended up escaping and bringing Luke home.