Johnson's Island Prison Ladder

United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons

There were several recorded escape attempts at Johnson's Island Prison. This ladder, constructed primarily of scrap wood and rope made from cloth, is believed to have been used during one escape attempt. It is approximately eight feet long. The ladder was donated to the Sandusky Library/ Follett House Museum in 1903 by Mrs. Leonard Johnson, daughter-in-law of Leonard B. Johnson, who leased the island to the federal government during the Civil War.
Johnson's Island, the site of a Civil War prison camp, is located in Sandusky Bay. Lieutenant Colonel William Hoffman leased the island from Leonard B. Johnson in 1861 for use as a prison camp for Confederate prisoners. Due to the abundant natural resources on the island, the conditions were not as harsh as those in many Southern prison camps. However, prisoners did suffer from disease, poor nutrition, and exposure to harsh Lake Erie winters. Created to hold Confederate officers, the prison housed about 3, 000 prisoners by the end of the war.

unknown prisoner at Johnson's Island Prison Camp

Sandusky Library/Follett House Museum, Johnson's Island Prison Collection, Historical object(s) or artifact(s) 39

circa 1862-1865

Callie McCune

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http://www.ohiomemory.org/u?/p267401coll36,11727

Johnson's Island, Sandusky (Ohio), Erie County (Ohio)

Johnson's Island Soldiers' Barracks Photograph

United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and Prisons

This photograph depicts the soldiers' barracks at Johnson's Island, with members of Hoffman's Battalion, the volunteer unit assigned to guard the Confederate prisoners, in the foreground. Johnson's Island, the site of a Civil War prison camp, is located in Sandusky Bay. Lt. Col. William Hoffman leased the island from Leonard B. Johnson in 1861 for use as a prison camp for Confederate prisoners. Due to the abundant natural resources on the island, the conditions were not as harsh as those in many Southern prison camps. Prisoners did suffer from disease, poor nutrition, and exposure to harsh Lake Erie winters. Created to hold Confederate officers, the prison housed about 3, 000 prisoners by the end of the war.

Unknown

Sandusky Library/Follett House Museum, Johnson's Island Prison Collection, Audiovisual material 44

circa 1862 - 1865

Callie McCune

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http://www.ohiomemory.org/u?/p267401coll36,12008

Sandusky (Ohio), Johnson's Island, Erie County (Ohio)

Unknown headstone at Confederate cemetery, Johnson's Island

United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons

David Bush

ca. 1862-1865

David Bush

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Johnson's Island (OH)

Headstone of W.E. Harvin, Lieutenant, 1st Georgia Infantry, Johnson's Island

United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons

David Bush

ca. 1862-1865

David Bush

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Johnson's Island (OH)

Bronze Monument to Confederate Soldiers, Johnson's Island

United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons

A photo of the Bronze Monument to Confederate Soldiers at the Confederate Cemetery on Johnson's Island. Dedicated by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1910.

David Bush

unknown

David Bush

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Johnson's Island (OH)

Postcard from Johnson's Island

United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons

A postcard of the Powder & Block House on Johnson's Island that was sent from Confederate prisoners back to friends and family.

unknown

David Bush

ca. 1861-1865

David Bush

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Johnson's Island (OH)

Letter from Joseph E. Ratliff, Confederate prisoner on Johnson's Island, 6 February 1864

United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons

Letter from Joseph E. Ratliff, Confederate prisoner on Johnson's Island, 6 February 1864

Joseph E. Ratliff

February 6, 1864

David Bush

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Johnson's Island (OH)

Handmade Ring, Johnson's Island

United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons

Contributor Note: "A ring made by a Confederate prisoner held at Johnson's Island. They were able to send these home as presents or sell them to the guards."

unknown

ca. 1861-1865

David Bush

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Johnson's Island (OH)

Map of Johnson's Island, Gould, ca. 1864

United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons

Map of the depot and prison on Johnson's Island sketched by Gould, 128th O.V.I., in 1864.

Gould

David Bush

1864

David Bush

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Johnson's Island (OH)

Prison interior, Camp Chase, ca. 1861-1865

United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons

Photograph of Camp Chase prisoners.

*image was reversed when printed

Photographer Manfred M. Griswold

Ohio Historical Society Collection, SC 132

National Archives, photograph 111SC108919

Lamonte Griswold

ca. 1861-1865

Kristina Kuehling

Users contributing materials to this site must agree to the following provisions: You confirm that your submission does not violate copyright or other applicable laws, and that appropriate credit has been given to the creator of this item. You give consent to the use of this item (including text, files, and other information) on this website and by its affiliates and partners. You agree to hold harmless the proprietors of this website, as well as its affiliates and partners. Contributors bear sole responsibility for user-generated content.

Camp Chase (OH)