Describe The Civil War in One Word

Heroic

Bloodiest

Tragedy

Freedom

Horrific

Truth

Unfinished

The History Channel asked historians to describe the Civil War in one word. I appreciate the words they used, which are shown in the list above. My word would be: Unbelievable 

The historians would agree with my word, too. War in 1860 seemed unbelievable. No one in America thought that very soon their country would be blasted into a four year conflagration that would kill the equivalent of 6 million people.

I spend my summers on a small peninsular finger of land that juts into Lake Erie. I relax on Sandusky Bay on the south side of the peninsula and I can see Johnson’s Island from there. Johnson’s Island is small and is jammed with quaint and modern vacation homes, with lots of activity during the summer. But 150-plus years ago, it was peaceful and lonely. Until the late fall of 1861, when Johnson’s Island became the site of a federal Civil War Prisoner of War Depot.

Other islands on Lake Erie were considered for a prison. These islands are now fun vacation destinations, such as Put-in Bay. But they were deemed to be too close to Canada, and too treacherous to reach in the winter when the lake froze. Johnson’s Island was just right- sheltered waters, easy access to deliver supplies, uninhabited.

The first POWs arrived on April 10, 1862. 

Most of the POWs were officers in the CSA- the Confederate States of America. Two generals who had fought at Gettysburg were confined to the prison on Johnson’s Island. During the early years, prisoners had a lively community, with amateur theatrical performances, publishing, and crafts projects available.

More than 15,000 men passed through Johnson’s Island. Wardens lost only about 200 prisoners to death as a result of the harsh Ohio winters, food and fuel shortages, and disease. The prison was closed in September, 1865.

The lost men are now guarded by one of their own.

I visited on a spring day, and took in the green grass, the neat rows, and the startling letters- CSA. I noted on their tombstones that many of the soldier came from states that we drive through when we go to Orlando- Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida.

Ironic that the southern soldier who stands at the head of his silent company, now has a view of a tall coaster at Cedar Point amusement park.

The prison buildings are gone and only the cemetery remains. I had mixed feelings as I stood in this quiet place of rest. War is unbelievable, death is sad and final, but at certain times, men rise up to face their challenges. As I looked at each gravestone, this quiet place was cheered by birds chirping and singing and I prayed that the birds also sang in April, 1862.

God Bless America