Johnson's Island (Marblehead)

 island, prison, prisoner-of-war camp, American Civil War 1861-1865

www.johnsonsisland.org/

Johnson's Island is a 300-acre island is in Sandusky Bay, located on the coast of Lake Erie, 3 miles (5 km) from the city of Sandusky, Ohio. It was the site of a prisoner-of-war camp for Confederate officers captured during the American Civil War. Johnson's Island was the only Union prison exclusively for Southern officers but it also held regular soldiers. During its three years of operation, more than 15,000 men were incarcerated there.

Johnson's Island is a small island community. There is a toll road on the causeway to the island that charges about $3.50 for visitors (accurate as of Summer 2007). The cemetery shows very neatly erected grave stones and a very large statue of a southern soldier, bound by a black iron wrought fence. Even though Ground-penetrating radar studies have proved that several graves lie outside its fence, private owners have encroached onto this sacred soil. Many stones reveal unknown soldiers, for when the graves were dug up to build the new cemetery, conflicting identities barred any chance of knowing who was who.

Anyone who visits the cemetery will note the serene landscape and beautiful views of Lake Erie. Since there are very few Civil War sites in the state of Ohio, I recommend you stop in, if only to honor the men and history of our country.