The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1910-06-08

les OF prlNateS were from tine TO
time sent to the island it was usual
ly through error and they were in
variably promptly drafted TO other
prisons. The islands lies in Sandus-
Ky Bay, about three miles from the
town of Sandusky n the post vas
Known officially AS Depot Prisoners
of War, Jolnson's Island. near San
dusky. Ohio"
Tue greatest lumber o: prisoners
confined or the Island at any one
time was abou 5000. Tai5 was just
prior to the close Of the war. All
in all about 10000 officers aid sold
iers were imprisoned there and 40
deaths were recorded. Fourteen of
the dead were buried o6.the main
land.
When the first prisoners died Mr..
Johnson ave his consent To their bu-
rial on the island and the cemetery
was laid out under his persona, direc-
ton. No lease on the land was ever
executed and no compensation given
for its use. Subsequently, at the
close of the war. MIR. Johnson. at his
WI expense. built a wire fence
around the plot ard kept il in repair
for several years. Late IN an Of
icer from the Columbus federal bar
racks visited the iSlan'l and nal the
original fence removed and a more
A., substantial one erected in its stead.
For many years afterwards the Gene
terv was allowed u fall into decay
until in 1881 the veterans of Nc
Mems post. Grand Army of the Re
public, of Sandusky. Ohio paid 4 gen
erous tribute to the men VINO had
fought against them. They had the
cemetery weeded and cared for and
on the Memorial day following held
services there similar to those held
over the Uaion dead in Oakland Gem
etery. ~Sandusky.
Every succeeding Memorial day up to
three years ago tley carried ont SIM
liar services. AS the veterans were
all men in advanced wears they were
forced In 100 to discontinue their
trips to the island. They decided al
so that in view of the fact that up to
that time practically no interest had
been shown in the Confederate
graves by either the relatives or
friends Of those buried there there
was no demand on them to continue
the services.
This action by the Grand Army
post became widely known and drew
the attention of tie various Confed-
crate organizations Throughout the
country to the neglected condition of
one of the most memorable land
marks of The great struggle. The
daughters OF the Confederacy became
interested. The campaign vas head
cd by the Robert Patton post which
raised the funds for the purchase of
the cemetery aid then issued anoth-
Ter appeal for a fsInd to provide a sui
table monument IL rhe dead.
Money Was liberally contributed
throughout the South and a salbstan-
tial amornt was also raised in the
north. The commission for the mon
unent was given 10 Sir Moses Eek
iel. who executed the statue in ais
studio in ROM and shipped it here
a Few weeks The first photo
graphs of it will De copyrighted by
mo daughters of the Confederacy and
sold, the proceeds TO be added to the
monument fund.
The historic value OF .Iohnson's
Island lies not merely in the number
of famous soldiers who were confin-
ed there during the war but also in
the many stories of attempted daring
l~gescues which cluster about il. For
three plot after plot was laid
to free the thousands who law in
captivity on the island. Every at
tempt, however failed. The nair
guard of the island was the gunboaf
Michigan. now the Wolverine, which
frustrated more than n sensational
effort at rescue The wolverine. whicsi
is still doing duty in the United
States service was the FIRST steel
vessel ever huilt on the Great Lakes.
ii The statue occupies a position on
the shore of sandnsky BAY near the
entrance Of the island cemetery and
faces TO the SOUTH II represents :