Hellmira! Execution-Retribution-or War Crimes?

[L Verge]

Herb,

Either there was a serious germ going around the Elmira prison camp in mid-April to cause that many deaths in three days, OR there was retribution for Lincoln's death (which would be considered a war crime in a civilized society, IMO). I wonder if 77 Confederate prisoners held in Hellmira forgot to keep their mouths shut upon hearing of Lincoln's demise?

The Union's prison camp for Confederates at Point Lookout, Maryland, had staggering statistics also, but I don't recall reading about any backlash on the prisoners because of the assassination. That would have been a likely place for retribution since it was located at the southern most tip of Southern Maryland, where the natives had been a thorn in the Union side throughout the war.