Johnson's Island

Johnson's Island Prison Camp

Company type	Military prison camp
Industry	Prisoner of war detention
Founded	April 1862 (1862-04)
Fate	Closed in September 1865
Headquarters	Sandusky Bay, near Sandusky , United States
Area served	Confederate prisoners of war
Products	Detention services

Johnson's Island is situated within Sandusky Bay along the shoreline of Lake Erie, roughly from Sandusky, Ohio. During the American Civil War, it functioned as a detention facility for captured officers of the Confederate States Army. Initially designated as the sole Union prison camp exclusively for Confederate officers, it subsequently accommodated enlisted men, political detainees, individuals court-martialed, spies, and civilians apprehended as guerrillas. Throughout its three years of operation, the island confined over 15,000 prisoners.

The island derives its name from L. B. Johnson, who acquired ownership around 1852. It was originally known as 'Bull's Island,' a name given by its first proprietor, Epaphras W. Bull, circa 1809, before being renamed in honor of Johnson.

Civil War years

In late 1861, Union authorities chose Johnson's Island as the site for a prison camp designed to hold up to 2,500 Confederate officers captured in battle. The island’s location provided secure maritime supply routes and shelter from harsh weather, with adjacent forests supplying necessary timber and fuel. The government leased half of the island from private owner Leonard B. Johnson at an annual rate of $500 and maintained strict control over access during the conflict.

The prison facility encompassed 16.5 acres and commenced operations in April 1862. It was enclosed by a 15-foot-high wooden stockade surrounding twelve two-story barracks for inmates, alongside a hospital, latrines, a sutler’s store, wells, a pest house, and two sizable mess halls added in 1864. Outside the stockade stood over forty structures supporting the 128th Ohio Infantry Regiment responsible for guarding the camp; these included barns, stables, defensive forts, officer quarters, and a powder magazine. The prisoners created a lively community life featuring theatrical productions, printed materials, and handicrafts.

After uncovering a Confederate spy scheme aimed at capturing the USS Michigan and an attempted mass breakout by prisoners, Forts Johnson and Hill were constructed during the winter of 1864–65. These fortifications became operational by March 1865 as prisoner numbers reached their maximum of approximately 3,200.

More than 15,000 Confederate men were held on Johnson's Island until its closure in September 1865. Around 200 inmates succumbed to severe winter conditions, limited provisions, and disease; 206 were interred in the Confederate Cemetery located on the island. This cemetery was later acquired in 1908 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy chapter based in Cincinnati. Johnson's Island recorded one of the lowest death rates among Civil War prisons. Despite numerous escape attempts—including efforts to cross frozen Lake Erie to reach Canada—only a small number succeeded.

Post Civil War

Following the war’s end, the prison camp was deserted. Most structures were either sold off by the United States Army or demolished due to neglect. The last remaining pre-war residence was destroyed by fire in 1901. Around 1894, a summer resort was established on the island’s eastern tip; although its pavilion burned down in 1897 and was subsequently rebuilt, the resort ultimately failed to thrive. Subsequently, the land transitioned to agricultural use and rock quarrying before lakeside homes and two subdivisions were developed. These changes resulted in most Civil War-era sites being lost.

On June 8, 1910, a statue titled Southern (also known as the Lookout), created by Moses Ezekiel to commemorate Confederate prisoners-of-war, was unveiled.

Johnson's Island received designation as a National Historic Landmark in 1990. A causeway now links it to the mainland. Both the Confederate cemetery and Fort Hill remain accessible to visitors. Ground-penetrating radar surveys have identified graves located beyond the cemetery’s perimeter fence. Annual archaeological excavations at the prison site are conducted by Heidelberg University.

Established in 2001, the Friends and Descendants of Johnson's Island Civil War Prison organization is dedicated to preserving and researching this historic location. Collaborating with Heidelberg University, they support educational initiatives and research projects at this National Historic Landmark.

Noteworthy Prisoners

Johnson's Island held several distinguished Confederate figures during its operation, including:

• Isaac R. Trimble (1802–1888), who served as a Confederate major general.
• James J. Archer (1817–1864), a brigadier general in the Confederate army.
• William Beall (1825–1883), also a brigadier general for the Confederacy.
• Thomas Benton Smith (1838–1923), holding the rank of Confederate brigadier general.
• Edward "Allegheny" Johnson (1816–1873), a Confederate major general.
• M. Jeff Thompson (1826–1876), brigadier general in the Missouri State Guard.
• John S. Marmaduke (1833–1887), who attained the rank of Confederate major general.
• William Lewis Cabell (1827–1911), serving as a Confederate brigadier general.
• Christopher Columbus Nash (1838–1922), known as a Confederate soldier and guerrilla fighter.
• John Marshall Stone (1830–1900), who was a colonel in the Confederate forces.
• James Steptoe Johnston (1843–1924), holding the position of Confederate lieutenant.
• William Tennent Stockton (1812-1869), colonel of the 1st Florida Cavalry Regiment in the Confederate army.

Related Topics

• American Civil War prison camps
• Confederate prisoner of war correspondence
• Davids Island (New York)
• Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio

External links

• Organization of Friends and Descendants of Johnson's Island
• Johnson's Island Preservation Society – featuring the Johnson's Island Museum
• Roy Swartz’s dedicated Johnson's Island webpage
• Community for collectors of Johnson's Island prison memorabilia