The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-08-19
J0IINSON'S ISLAND.
a PEN PICTURE OF TIE GREAT NORTH
ERN PRisOE.


Chief of the Crew, Etc.
(Frtm the Atlanta Conshtution)
Johnson's Island, now an historic spot,
lies four miles from the city of Sandusiy,
Ohio, in the midst Of as beautiful Il
sheet of water as can be found on the
lakes. Seen across the blue waves, It's
green slopes relieved by the piles OF
white limestone, it presents lovely pc
ture. Tho highest is perhaps fifty feet
above tho water level, and is near the
centcr of the island, which is enc mile
long, half wide, and contains 300 acres.
In the days long since departed, it was
covered with a magnificent growth Of
oak and maple, and was q favoritc resort
of the Indians, who then throngcd all
the lake shore. The waters which wash
its shores were alive with black bass,
pic]1crcl and perch, and continue 50 to
this day.
The soil is full Of Indian relies, and in
one corner is IN old Indian burying
ground. Many weird legends of IndiunS'
ghosts arc still cXtant, and would bear
telling. For years the island was owned
by ono Bull, and it was called after him.
The first cuStom-hOuSc for this port was
located on the island at one time, and
the foundations are still to be seen. In
1852, +. IS. johnson bought the proper
ty, and still OWNS it. In 1861 depot
for Confederate prisoners waS wanted,
and the government leased the island,
which at once Sprang into nOtoricty as
Johnsons Island. At that time but lit
tic Of it was under cultivation, and the
improvements were Of the most primi-
tive character. w. r. West, of this
city, was awarded the contract for build
ing quarters for prisoners and guards,
and from that time, until the close OF
the war, it was the scene OF constant
activity. january |, 1862, Company A,
of lIoi1man's Battalion, took possession
Tor the government; later Companies b,
9 and ID, same battalion, were added,
and in 1868 six miscellaneous companies.
The whole was erected into one hundred
and twenty eighth O. V. t., in the latter
part of 1868. The first post commander
was Ma ior w. S. picrSon, aitcrward
brcvct brigadicr general. Colonel Chas,
w. Hill, General larry and Major Lee
were successfully his Successors The
troops on the island were enlisted spc-
cially for this particular service, and
some of them moved their families to
the prison, and soon Il schOol-hUusc and
church were erected.
April 9, 1862, the first instalment OF
prisoners arrived. These men were
nearly all privatcs, but as the great Sc
curlty Of the prison became known, only
officers were sent to the island. From
the first arrival until the close Of the
war there was Il constantly varying num-
Der of COnfcdcratCS on the island. Some
times as high as 3, 900 were under guard
the total number confined nggrcguting
$4,000. Many died, and soOnu little ccmc-
terry of some 400 graves WAS established
in beautiful grove on the eastern end
of the island. Comrades Of the deceased
whilcd away days in carving elaborate
wooden head boards for their dead com
ratles, and some of them, executed with
ordinary pocket cutlery, still remain cX-
Iuisitc examples Of amateur talent. For
some reason, the defenders Of Il lost
cause have never, with two or three OK
ccptiOns, given the place any attention,
and but for the kindness of the G. \. Il.
Post, the lonely buying spot would be
lost i'll mass of undcrgroWth.
AS Canada filled up with Southern
SSmpathlzers, it was deemed best to
bring additional troops to the island,
and to erect strong Notifications, the
ruins of which still remain in almost
perfect condition. Even the magazines
of the forts arc in such q state of pre-
serVatlon as to admit of minute cXplora-
ton. From time to time rumors Of an
attack from the Canadian shore were
heard. 1t was said that u strong force
would come from Canada, release the
prisoners, and scizing the ammunition
and cannon of the forts, form an invad-
ing army to burn Toledo, Sanduslly,
Cleveland and the lake ports.
The warship Michigan was put on
guard and every prccaution taken to
prevent surprise.
TIE PIRATE OF LAKE ERIE.
That there vas good foundation for
the various rumOrS, was subsequently
proven by the capture and execution of
John Beall, sometimes spelled BCalc.
He was born in Virginia, being a native
of Jefferson county, which was i'll the
famous Shenandoah Valley. Charles
town, whore John Brown was executed,
is the county seat. HIo was large land
owner, and possessed of classical cdu,
cation obtained at tho University OF
Virginia. At the breaking out Of the wal
he organized G Company, Second Q. V
L., which later became part Of Stone
wall Jackson's famous brigade
During tho latter part of 1861 all tho
cities on Lake Eric were greatly agi
tated. The streets were patrollcd, an(
every possible prccaution taken agains
an INVASION from the North. The whole
border was convulsed. Ohio had sen
thousands of soldiers more than he,
quota to the front, and none were left tC
guard her unprotected lake front. /
seemed q practicable scheme TO gcnd q,
expedition from Canada to batter dow
the lake ports, and spread destruction
throughout. north Michigan, Ohio
Pennsylvania and New York. Jacol
Thompson woa in Canada, and to hi,
fertile brain all sorts Of plots wcr,
charged. THE only war vessel on th(
lakes was the Michigan, cnlTyint
eighteen guns. Her regular station anS
winter quarters have always been at th(
port Of Erie. 1t was agreed that if shC
were captured very small body of meI
could with but little difficulty rnvoo,