Monday, April 28, 2014

My first post to this blog.

First, I am grateful for the invitation to share what I enjoy and hold precious about Johnson's Island.

Built in 1862 Johnson's Island was a prisoner of war camp built to hold Confederate Officers. The prison was located on a 300 acre island in Lake Erie only three miles from the city of Sandusky, Ohio. The 128th Ohio Volunteer Infantry would serve to guard at times over 3,000 incarcerated Confederate Officers, and over 15,000 prisoners would pass though the prison.

I plan to share many historical artifacts from Johnson's Island. I believe these artifacts help us understand what life was like on this island. Because the prison was built to hold Officers the living conditions though harsh were much better than other POW prisons during the Civil War. Johnson's Island had one of the lowest mortality rates of any Civil War prison.

The following are some great relics from Johnson's Island, Enjoy.





Saturday, March 29, 2014

Samuel E. Hays Letter, Johnson's Island (Confed.)

Military History: Hays was a Lieutenant in the 16th Arkansas Infantry. He was Captured July 7, 1863 at Port Hudson, LA. Imprisoned on Johnson's Island, then sent to Point Lookout, MD March 21, 1865 and later released June 11,1865.

Letter Content: "The shafts of this war too have been destructive of society and friendship and well as human life." Hays talks of divisions created by the war including that of him and his former classmates. "The antagonistical relations we now sustain towards each other forbids the renewal of that friendship which once existed between us. It is severed perhaps forever." He speaks of the death of classmates and the destruction of his home town, Prairie Grove, Ark. He mentions Generals Hindman, Blunts and Ben McCulloch, and the battles of Oak Hills, Elk Horn, and Prairie Grove. "Those only who have seen can fully realize the painful emotions which filled my bosom as I turned to gaze for the last time upon familiar spots of earth - - covered with dead and dying friends and foes" Hayes finishes the letter asking that the recipient commit the letter to the flames. It appears that the letter was sent to a Northerner and this was a last farewell.












The letter reads:

Johnson’s  Island near Sandusky Ohio Dec. 7th 1863

                Your note of Dec. 1st has been received. I should have more deservingly revived rebuke rather than merited your kind consideration for my temerity. It was intended as an innocent expression of regard for one whom I trust does not think unkindly of these who have felt their convictions of duty rise superior to every personal consideration. I hope you will not treat this as indelicate when I say to you that is to assure you of that which you do not seen to be positively assured in your note - - and as you would forgive the Parisian his ignorance of the customs of an Ottoman Count - - as you would considerately pardon the awkwardness of an American at the court of St. James, even so you can overlook in the far familiarity with those rules which the more cultivated and refined districts of his own country have established.
                Although a student in your state several years since you will say that I there should have learned the common rules of civility. That would be true - - but if you will pause and consider for a moment you will agree with me in the opinion that in the wild abstraction of the days that have elapsed since then much of the elegance and refinements of our society has suffered severely. A common danger, a single object of devoted interest with us has obliterated the ordinary courtesies of life, inspired a sincere and earnest friendship and cemented the bonds of fraternal affection. The shafts of this war too have been destructive of society and friendship and well as human life. I could name many of my classmates who are now in the federal army from your state and whose names the thrilling events the war have made familiar to you as well as many in the Confederate army one of whom like myself is so unfortunate as to be incarcerated in this prison. The antagonistical relations we now sustain towards each other forbids the renewal of that friendship which once existed between us. It is severed perhaps forever. Col. Chas. Hanson who fell at Murfreesboro and now sleeps with the honored dead, was a dear friend. This is but one of the innumerable painful incidents of this war.
                I have already written more than I should have done while I have entirely digressed from my original purpose and will hope that ere you shall read this we will be permitted to join our comrades in the field and breath our own free air again. I could wish I could add my home but the possibility of that is to remote. My home is upon the battle field of Prairie Grove, Ark. This day one year ago, I last saw that home and then only through the smoke of the battle fought there on that day between Genls. Hindman and Blunts, but that last look was full of fearful interest to me. It was the third time we had met that army in the deadly shock of battle, Oak Hills, Elk Horn, and Prairie Grove. The moldering heaps of earth by the wayside bear sad testimony of the earnestness with which we had contested every foot of ground from Springfield, Mo. to the gaps of the mountain but we were at last compelled to yield to them. It was a painful spectacle to behold the exhausted and depleted battalions of our army retiring before the enemy. Those only who have seen can fully realize the painful emotions which filled my bosom as I turned to gaze for the last time upon familiar spots of earth - - covered with dead and dying friends and foes - - upon the smoldering ruins of the adjacent farm house - - upon the shattered walls of “Uncle Buck’s Church” which stand, like a sacred monument upon that blood baptized field, and familiar and dear to all northwest Arkansas. Our homes are quite and desolate if not more so than that district of Virginia over which the two grand armies of the Potomac had been vibrating for nearly three years, yet we do not despair. Misfortune and privation induce fortitude, inspire courage. Among the young men who joined Genl. Ben McCulloch when the war was yet in its infancy we left our homes more than two years ago - - and but few of us have been permitted to visit them. I was one among the number with and under the unpleasant circumstances I have related. Many of those comrades sleep upon the Battlefield of the Mississipi and Louisiana. I must close - - I will not tax your patience further and will only request that when you have read this you will commit it to the flames. In quiet and alone I penned it this Sabbath evening - - alone read it and then destroy it. In all probability circumstances will never arise which would enable us to extend the acquaintances incidentally formed, should such an object be agreeable or desirable, therefore I desire you will think no more of this and while I tender you my most grateful acknowledgments, I must bid you my most respectful Adieu
                               
                                                                                                                S. E. Hays

                

Monday, March 24, 2014

Robert B. Pruett Letter Johnson’s Island (Confed.)


Military History: Lieutenant 31st Alabama Infantry.

Letter Content: Pruett sent a letter to cousin asking for coat, pants, and shoes and includes sizes of each. He offers to make her prisoner jewelry if she sends him some of the needed supplies and included with his letter was a ring. “Weather is bad health of prisoners not good time hangs heavy it appears almost like and age since I entered these gloomy prison walls.”


Envelope: Contains Sandusky, OH and bulls eye stamp as well as examiner’s stamp.



The letter reads:

Ada
Johnson’s Island
Dec. 5th, 64

Dear Cousin,
                I herewith enclose you an application for clothing. Size for coat breast 38’’ waist 36’’ length of coat 40’’, please cut the coat double breasted with standing collar, size for pants waist 36’’ legs 33’’, size for shoes 8 or 9. Please send me a calf shoe with broad heavy bottoms.
                                                (Omit-sending any shirts or hat)
                If you desire some prisoner jewelry send some buttons, steel files, & a rule in the box. I have improved since I sent you any. I will sent you a ring in this letter it is a gutta-percha ring with nice bitts (shell) I will not write you for anything to eat unless I get sick then I will call on you please write me a few days before you ship the box, also send the application back in the box, don’t fail. Weather is bad health of prisoners not good time hangs heavy it appears almost like and age since I entered these gloomy prison walls.
                                                                  I close with due regards
                                                                                   Your cousin
                                                                                            Lt. R.B. Pruett
                                                                                            31st Ala. Regt.

Friday, March 21, 2014

B. F. George / A. C. Smith Letter Cover (Confed.)



Description: Letter cover from P.O.W. A. C. Smith held at Johnson's Island Prison, OH to B. F.  George held at Point Lookout Prison, MD May 22, 1865.

Cover: Contains Sandusky, OH and bulls eye stamp as well as Examiner's stamp (Examined G. R. Y. ?).

Military History: 

A. C. Smith was Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion Confederate Infantry. Captured at Hatcher's Run, VA, April 2nd, 1865. Imprisoned at Johnson's Island and released June 20th, 1865.

B. F. George was a sergeant in the 1st Battalion Confederate Infantry.







Tuesday, March 18, 2014

A. D. Hicks Letter, Johnson’s Island (Confed.)



Military History: Lieutenant 20th N.C. Infantry. Wounded at Chancellorsville May 1863. Captured at Gettysburg, July 1st 1863. Imprisoned at Johnson’s Island until March, 1865.

Letter Content: Mostly religious. Mentions soldiers have lectures on the Bible and prayer every night. Mentions that “all the surgeons have been sent south” Letter paper embossed “Carsons.”


Letter Cover: Contains both Sandusky, OH and Richmond, VA stamps as well as bulls eye stamp and “due 10” stamp to show that 10 cents was due upon delivery. Letter examined and stamped by examiner G.A.R. Marked “For Flag of Truce.”  



The Letter Reads:

Johnson’s Island
Sandusky City
Ohio
Nov. 26th 1863

My Dear Ma,
I know you will be rejoiced to hear that I have embraced the religion of Jesus Christ. For three months I have been convicted of my exceeding sinfulness. I found no relief until a few evenings since. I am surprised to see what a course I have been pursuing since the war began. With God’s help I will live a new man. Ma you don’t know how anxious I am to tell you what a precious Savior I have found. I almost despaired of ever finding relief, but believing those who mourn will be comforted: I made new resolves until the Holy Spirit proclaimed peace sweet peace. There is considerable interest manifested in religious affairs. May the good work continue. We have a lecture on the Bible and a prayer every night. Capt Wright pleased us with a visit to this place about two weeks since. Like the rest he is anxious to return. All are well. Heard from Dr. Hicks a few days ago. All the surgeons have been sent south from this place. I guess he is in Dixie by this time. I have had only one letter from home. It is strange we don’t hear oftener. Joe received one a few days ago dated Nov. 14th. Pray for your affectionate.

Son,  A. D. Hicks



Tuesday, March 11, 2014



MORE IS COMING


Website initiated 3/11/14, just getting started, have lots of relics to display.
Check back soon.


Contact me if you wish to contribute to this blog.









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