Another worthwhile cemetery to tour is on Johnson’s Island, in Sandusky Bay. It was the site of a Civil War POW camp, and there are several dozen graves of prisoners who died there. It’s incredibly sad, and had me in tears as I walked through. You can hate the Confederate cause, as I do, but still be moved to tears looking at the headstones, some of teenage boys who died far from home. There are several headstones marked “unknown,” even more sad.
What a wonderful find and a beautiful piece that resulted. Despite my Catholic upbringing (or perhaps because of it) I no longer believe in an afterlife, but I love wandering through cemeteries because it makes me think — about myself, about others, about life.
While doing research on my family tree about 25 years ago, I went to the East Coast, to prowl cemeteries and libraries. In one churchyard in Morris County NJ, I found the graves of my 6th great-grandfather and grandmother, Lindsley Burnett and Elizabeth Halsey Burnett. Arrayed on either side of their headstones were smaller markers for six children who’d died before they reached 5 years old. They had six or seven others who survived to adulthood, so they had precious little time to mourn the ones who died young.
I used to believe if you showed a Lost Cause fanatic Stephens’ speech, or the secession resolutions of the various states, you could change their beliefs. Similarly, taking anti-vaxxers to graveyards like my ancestors’ would make them change their views. But there are too many sources of information reinforcing their ignorance.
I hear you Lucy. The home guard is on the prowl again. All freedom loving people best be ready.
(as a native "Southerner" I suspect I've heard pretty much every version of "The Lost Cause" extant. Not to diminish your historical reference at all but just to comment I often retort by citing Confederate V.P. Alexander Stephens "Cornerstone Speech". delivered in Savannah, Georgia on March 21, 1861. The date is important because one version of "Lost Cause" asserts that slavery became an issue well after the beginning of the war. Thank you for this piece. (google Cornerstone Speech. more than you ever thought you needed to know)
I always found it troubling how so many Ohioans, likely descendants of Union soldiers, found it right to wave the flag of their ancestors' enemy.
A couple have told me over the years that it was out of resentment; that their forefathers were forced to fight in a "rich man's war".
Weirdly, tho'; I've never heard that beef from the descendants of the other side, to whom such a grievance would've been much better applied.
Anyone displaying that flag needs to read aloud from that "Declaration of Causes" link above in front of a camera and then post the resulting footage.
Another worthwhile cemetery to tour is on Johnson’s Island, in Sandusky Bay. It was the site of a Civil War POW camp, and there are several dozen graves of prisoners who died there. It’s incredibly sad, and had me in tears as I walked through. You can hate the Confederate cause, as I do, but still be moved to tears looking at the headstones, some of teenage boys who died far from home. There are several headstones marked “unknown,” even more sad.
Oh I want to go!
What a wonderful find and a beautiful piece that resulted. Despite my Catholic upbringing (or perhaps because of it) I no longer believe in an afterlife, but I love wandering through cemeteries because it makes me think — about myself, about others, about life.
While doing research on my family tree about 25 years ago, I went to the East Coast, to prowl cemeteries and libraries. In one churchyard in Morris County NJ, I found the graves of my 6th great-grandfather and grandmother, Lindsley Burnett and Elizabeth Halsey Burnett. Arrayed on either side of their headstones were smaller markers for six children who’d died before they reached 5 years old. They had six or seven others who survived to adulthood, so they had precious little time to mourn the ones who died young.
I used to believe if you showed a Lost Cause fanatic Stephens’ speech, or the secession resolutions of the various states, you could change their beliefs. Similarly, taking anti-vaxxers to graveyards like my ancestors’ would make them change their views. But there are too many sources of information reinforcing their ignorance.
I can only imagine seeing those headstones, Tom. Thanks for this.
I hear you Lucy. The home guard is on the prowl again. All freedom loving people best be ready.
(as a native "Southerner" I suspect I've heard pretty much every version of "The Lost Cause" extant. Not to diminish your historical reference at all but just to comment I often retort by citing Confederate V.P. Alexander Stephens "Cornerstone Speech". delivered in Savannah, Georgia on March 21, 1861. The date is important because one version of "Lost Cause" asserts that slavery became an issue well after the beginning of the war. Thank you for this piece. (google Cornerstone Speech. more than you ever thought you needed to know)
I'm afraid to look, RJ, but I will.
A poignant history lesson. Thanks for this timely one, Erin!