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348 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
returned June 20th much reduced, eight of the companies being then
paroled prisoners, not subject to duty; they were mustered- out August
20. The One Hundred and Sixty-fifth Ohio National Guard (five hundred
and forty-nine men) reported for duty May 21, and left July 16.
The Eighth Battery Ohio National Guard reported September 22, and
left October 19, and was succeeded by the Second Battery Ohio National
Guard, which left November 26. These National Guard troops were
sent to the island chiefly as a place of rendezvous, equipment and instruction
preparatory to service elseAvhere. On the 24th of September the
Sixth Veteran Reserve Corps (five hundred and sixty-three men) from
Washington, reported for duty.
"The One Hundred and TAventy-eighth from the time its being first
assembled on the island was kept under strict drill and discipline.
"The condition of the island, and of the docks, roads and barracks
upon it required heavy details of Avorking parties to open ways of communication
for defense, complete and improve the quarters, enlarge the
prison grounds and accommodations, and improve the sanitary condition
of the island, Avhich had been much neglected for many months.
"The strength of the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth, present for
duty from early in May until late in the fall, Avas much reduced by
detachments and heavy details for special duty and necessary Avorking
parties, the guard-duty became very severe; often, and for considerable
periods, requiring the majority of the men remaining for that service
to go on guard duty every other day.
'' The number of prisoners of Avar confined on the island during the
year 1864 ranged as follows, varied chiefly by new acquisitions and special
exchanges: January 31, 2,603; February 29, 2,206; March 31, 2,192;
April 30, 2,088; May 31, 2,134; June 30, 2,309; July 31, 2,441; August
31, 2,556; September 30, 2,663; October 31, 2,621; November 30, 2,747;
December 31, 3,209.
"From the foregoing table it appears that, the average strength of
prisoners for the different years was as follows: Average for 1862, 788;
1863, 1,205; 1864, 2,480.
"In 1865, until discharges on oath of allegiance or parole became
more numerous, folloAving the surrender of Lee's army, the number of
prisoners ranged considerably higher, and excepting about one hundred,
they were all officers of the rebel army and navy, of all grades, from
second lieutenant to major-general.
"Here were officers enough for an army and navy of eighty thousand
men. They Avere Avithin a short distance of the Canada main, and still
nearer to a Canada island. The prevailing sympathy in Canada was
largely in favor of the rebels; and their every facility and encouragement,
short of direct participation in our Avar, was extended to the large
rebel force from the rebel army and navy maintained in Canada to effect
a rescue of these rebel officers. If by such efforts war should be
brought on between the United States and England a great point would
be gained by the rebels. No other depot of prisoners of war Avas on a
frontier or exposed like this. During the season of navigation it could