Chasing the Civil War in Ohio

Nestled among ballfields, businesses and major roads is Camp Chase

Ohio had but a few skirmishes during the four years of Civil War between 1861 and 1865, but Ohioans featured prominently in the war.  The third most populated state at the time, Ohio also sent the third most men for the Union Army, but it was leaders such as Grant, Sherman and Sheridan that had a more enduring legacy in the annals of the war.  But Ohio was also home to prisoner of war camps and on the west side of Columbus, nearly invisible to the passing commuter, history lies quietly among ballfields and businesses of the growing capitol of the state.

Established as a training ground along the national road in 1861, Camp Chase served as the temporary home for over 150,000 Union soldiers prepping to fight the Confederates.  Named for former Governor, and then-current Secretary of the Treasury Salmon Chase, the first southern prisoners were higher ranking Confederates who, with an oath of honor, were allowed to wander the City of Columbus. Security soon changed and many of these officers were sent north, to Johnson Island in Lake Erie.

Markers crammed into locations

The reason any remnants of the camp still exist was the 25,000 southerners were passed through the facility as prisoners of war.  As the war drew to an end in 1865, over 9,000 soldiers were still held captive and today over 2,000 gravestones mark those who perished within the walls.

As a prison, Camp Chase was originally situated to hold about 3,500 prisoners but quickly swelled to twice that size.  Upgraded through prison labor to hold 7,000 some believe 10,000 were crammed in the camp by war's end.  At war's end, the Camp quickly was vacated and structures removed.

In 1895 first memorial services were held, started by former Union soldier William Knauss.  A chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy has sponsored a plaque in his honor along the south wall.  Originally the grave markers had been wooden but at some point around the turn of the century, the official U.S. markers given to all veterans replaced the original markers.

In 1902 a memorial arch was added and remains today, and is the only visible element of the cemetery as motorists and pedestrians pass along Sullivant Ave (the camp's former southern boundary).  Iron gates atop a four foot wall obscure that this is a historic landmark that today is little more in length than a football field in length and breadth.  Atop the monument stands a soldier, symbolically looking south, but with the word "Americans" atop the arch and below the statue.

With little explanation, a confederate cannonball fired at The Battle of Vicksburg and memorial stone stands near the entrance to the cemetery. Donated by a retired member of the Army, no on-site explanation is offered for its presence.  Google searches offer no help as well.

There are those who believe ghosts still haunt the cemetery.  The renowned Lady in Grey is the foremost spirit viewed walking the grounds.  Other mid-Ohio paranormal groups allege ghost activity on the grounds. A descendant of the Lady in Grey disputes these stories.

Ohio historical signage

More poignantly, as Ohio and the country look to commemorate the 150th anniversary of America's deadliest war, the cemetery stands as a reminder of the many forms of suffering that the war brought to a young nation.  Through Camp Chase passed the likes of Ohio's future presidents in Hayes, Garfield, McKinley as well as non-native, but at the time soon-to-be president Andrew Johnson.  The physical structures of the one-time camp may be ghosts to history, but the gravestones of scores of soldiers stands steadfast as today's commuters march on by.

- J.