Johnson's Island unveiling

[Bob Minton]

For anyone who lives close enough and is interested there will be a National Historic Landmark Plaque Dedication at Johnson's Island Civil War Prison on Sunday, November 12th at 1 p.m. Any uniformed reenactors (military of civilian, blue or gray) who wishes may meet at 12:30 at the Cemetery and march back to the prison area itself (less than a mile). You are also welcome in modern clothes obviously! The ceremony itself will begin at 1 p.m. and likely last a half hour or so. Refreshment and tours for those interested immediately following. Tours will be led by Dr. David Bush, President of the Friends and Descendants of Johnson's Island Civil War Prison. Dr. Bush is leading the archaeology dig at the site. The plaque will be mounted Sunday and local dignitaries etc. will be present.

Regards,
Bob Minton

[Bob Minton]

Re: Johnson's Island unveiling

The event went well and the weather was as good as can be expected for November on Lake Erie. We started at the cemetery, reading a letter in honor of a prisoner who died on that date during the war. This was followed by Union Guards marching Confederate prisoners the 3/4 mile to the prison site. After many speakers and unveiling the marker things concluded with a 21 gun salute. After the event refreshments were enjoyed as well as a tour of the site led by Dr. Bush. A very pleasant time was had by all and some good publicity was obtained for the prison. Pictures and the article link are available at www.14thovi-3rdark.com scroll down the main page to the schedule for links.

An article from the unveiling from the Port Clinton News Herald:

Civil war site takes spotlight
By DAN DEARTH
Staff writer

JOHNSON'S ISLAND -- Civil War re-enactors and about 50 people gathered Sunday afternoon on frigid Johnson's Island to attend a plaque unveiling ceremony that formally marked the former prisoner of war camp a national historic site.

From 1862-1865, Johnson's Island housed 10,000 Confederate prisoners of war, most of whom were officers. Roughly 300 men died from disease or foiled escape attempts, among other things.

A cemetery on the island marks the final resting place of 206 souls.

Before a blanket was removed to reveal the plaque, re-enactors gathered at the cemetery to honor 143 years to the day one of those soldiers died. It was on Nov. 12, 1863, that Capt. J.B. Hardy of the 5th Arkansas Infantry succumbed on Johnson's Island to pneumonia.
As spectators gathered at the grave, a Confederate color guard marched to the tomb and saluted. Union soldiers stood guard with muskets close by.
Confederate and Union soldiers marched for about 10 minutes down a paved road, past several vehicles and a man mowing his lawn, to the prison site on East Baycliffs Drive.

A 21-gun salute was fired, which caused a flock of nearby gulls to scatter.

Several people spoke, including Andy Ferguson of the National Park Service and Dave Bush, an anthropology professor from Heidelberg College. For the past 18 years, typically between March and October, Bush has led excavations at the prison.

Yellow posts at the site mark the outlines that once sheltered prisoners.

"The early years were certainly interesting," he said. "We're here to make sure this place does remain in history."

Because most of the prisoners were officers, Bush said they lived fairly well in captivity from buying several items from the guards. Among some of the artifacts that have been unearthed are champagne and liquor bottles and chicken and pig bones.

He said the excavations continue thanks to generous donations from private citizens and grants. The 17.1-acre site still has a $200,000 mortgage that needs paid.

One group that helps raise money for the digs is Save Johnson's Island, a student organization from Findlay High School.

Julia Weygandt, Save Johnson's Island 17-year-old president, said the club's 60 members generated $5,200 last year to keep the excavations going by hosting dodge ball tournaments and other events.

"I love the past," she said. "It's awesome. I plan to open another branch of Save Johnson's Island (when I go to college)."

Jake Cutcher, a 12-year-old re-enactor from Toledo, said he also enjoys events like the one Sunday on Johnson's Island.

"It's fun," he said. "It's a different way to learn about history ... How the country stayed together instead of falling apart."

Although Jake's father, Jim, didn't participate in the re-enactment, he supports his son's passion for history.

"It keeps the boy out of trouble and active," the elder Cutcher said. "I just like the old ... Simple life that they had back then."

Regards,
Bob Minton