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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 347
necessarily involves much of the military history of these posts, and can
better be understood by giving a brief synopsis of that history.
"Early in 1862 Johnson's Island became a depot exclusively for rebel
officers AVIIO were held as prisoners of war.
"It should be remembered that a cartel for a general exchange of
prisoners of Avar had long been expected, and was finally agreed upon
July 22J 1862. Under that cartel and special arrangement exchanges
went on until July, 1863, and a continuance was expected. This expectation,
with the belief of general loyalty in the north, and the want
of help in .Canada, had their legitimate influence on the prisoners, and
undoubtedly prevented efforts at outbreak and resistance until late in
the fall of 1863.
"In the spring and summer of 1862 the garrison on the island was
strengthened by one company of the Sixty-first Ohio, relieved by one
company of the Eighty-eighth. The stoppage of exchanges, followed by
the assembling of considerable forces from the rebel army and navy in
Canada, and the machinations of disloyal organizations in Ohio, Indiana
and elsewhere known to intend to rescue these prisoners with attendant
devastations on the lake towns and commerce, showed these posts to be
unsafe Avithout considerable reinforcements. Six companies of the
TAvelfth Ohio Cavalry (dismounted), with the Twenty-fourth Battery
(six guns), and two detachments of the First Ohio Heavy Artillery (with
seven heavy guns) were sent i» the island early in November, 1863,
folloAved promptly by the Fo/ty-ninth. and Fiftieth Regiments of the
National Guard and a Pennsylvania Battery. The Forty-ninth and Fiftieth
remained only eight or ten days, and the Pennsylvania Battery
Avas soon relieved. The other troops remained all winter.
"The First Brigade, Third Division, Sixth Corps, including five
regiments, attended by two brigadier-generals from the Army of the
Potomac, reached Sandnsky on the 13th of January, 1864. Four of the
regiments, with General Shaler, Avere stationed on the island. The other
regiment, with General H. D. Terry, commanding the whole, was at
Sandusky. They all remained until April 14,1864, when three regiments
under General Shaler left to rejoin the Sixth Corps. The Twenty-fourth
Battery was stationed in Sandusky, and the six cavalry companies left
for Camp Dennison in March. Soon after, the six new companies of the
TAventy-eighth, pursuant to orders from Washington, were moved to
Sandusky, and on the 14th of April, 1864, with the colonel, were stationed
on the island. The whole regiment was thus, for the first time,
assembled as one command.
"On the 8th of May, 1864, Colonel Hill, of the One Hundred and
TAventy-eighth, succeeded General Terry in the command, and the two
remaining regiments from the Sixth Corps moved off to rejoin that
corps. On the 12th of July, 1864, the detachment from the First Heavy
Artillery returned to their regiment, and on the 7th of August folloAving
the TAventy-fourth Battery left for Chicago. Other troops came to the
island and departed as follo\vs: May 11, the One Hundred and Seventyfirst
Ohio National Guard; it left June 9th for Cleveland and Kentucky;