Johnson's Island Civil War Cemetery

Johnson's Island Civil War Cemetery

Even if you are just slightly interested in the Civil War, you will enjoy this well kept federal cemetery on a tiny residential island in northwest Ohio. To get there, travel on the perimeter road east of Port Clinton on the Sandusky Bay side. Watch for a very small marker to herald the entrance to the causeway leading to Johnson's Island (the cost is currently two dollars/car to cross the causeway). There will be a sign directing you to the cemetery.

Once there, you will be surprised by the fenced in rows of white grave markers that are almost all in very good condition. This area is listed as "Ohio's most significant Civil War site". The Confederate Prisoner of War Depot was rapidly built early on in the conflict labeled the Civil War. The first prisoners arrived in April of 1862. Twenty-six Confederate generals and future generals were imprisoned on the island.

History has it that they were treated very fairly at the beginning of the conflict but later on rations were greatly decreased and the facilities were overcrowded. There is a museum dedicated to preserving the history and artifacts of the camp located in Sandusky at the Ohio Veteran's Home.

Archeological studies continue at the cemetery. There is a chart showing graves wih markers and those burial sites that are unmarked but verified as having human remains.

There is a large handsome monument erected by the Daughters of the Confederacy in 1910. The monument serves as a memorial to honor the service of these men.