Nina Raeth and Doug Carter are shown holding the weapon that Doug’s greatgrandfather used during the Civil War. Nina’s greatgrandfather was a prisoner of war at Camp Lawton, and Doug’s greatgrandfather was a prison guard. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett) Enemies can become friends, and friendships can develop under the most unlikely circumstances. Nina Raeth of N. Augusta, S.C. and Doug Carter of Fayetteville are living proof of the fact. Nearly 146 years after their ancestors walked the grounds of Camp Lawton at Magnolia Springs State Park the two met in April during an archaeological dig sponsored by Georgia Southern University at the site of Camp Lawton and quickly discovered their common bond.

Nina’s great-grandfather, Sebastian Glamser, who served the Union with the 37th Regiment of Ohio Infantry, was captured at the Battle of Atlanta and sent to Andersonville prison as a prisoner of war. He was later moved to Camp Lawton where Doug’s great-grandfather, Jesse Taliaferro Carter, served the Confederacy as a prison guard with Company F, Third Georgia Reserves.

Upon meeting, Nina and Doug formed an instant friendship and even attended together the Aug. 18 unveiling of Civil War artifacts discovered at Camp Lawton. Many of the items recovered were personal items that belonged to soldiers at the camp: a small brass picture frame, a pocket knife and a pipe with the user’s teeth prints embedded in it. Viewing the items, they say, made them feel very close to their ancestors.

In the case of Nina and Doug, the archaeological dig can be viewed as history repeating itself, bringing North and South together again at Camp Lawton, but under much difference circumstances – the bond of friendship.