From the Feb. 18th "As It Were" column by Ed Lentz.
One hundred and sixty regiments of infantry, cavalry, and artillery were raised in Ohio during the war, causing Lincoln to remark "Ohio has saved the Union."
Volunteers first came to Columbus and were housed in local schools, churches, and even the rotunda of the newly-completed statehouse. It soon became apparent that a more organized situation was needed.
North of downtown was Goodale Park, which had been donated to the city by Lincoln Goodale in 1851. The trees were cut down and Camp Jackson established, but it soon became overcrowded.
In the fall of 1862, Camp Chase, named for former Ohio governor and now Lincoln cabinet member Salmon P. Chase, was established west of the city along West Broad Street. It ran from Broad Street to Sullivan Avenue, encompassing several thousand acres.
It soon became a prisoner of war camp designed for 2000. But by 1864, more than 10,000 occupied its grounds. More than 2,300 died from the harsh climate and disease.
OTHER COLUMBUS CIVIL WAR CAMPS
COLUMBUS BARRACKS which operated until the 1880s.
FORT HAYS-- northeast of downtown. Today, mostly owned and operated by the Columbus City Schools. Only the Shot Tower remains from the Civil War era.
TOD BARRACKS-- north of downtown. Officers' residences and administrative facility in 1863. Torn down in the early 1900s.
A historical marker near the Columbus Convention Center marks the site.
18TH US INFANTRY-- Trained federal troops (not state volunteers) by High Street and Hudson, 1861-1866. Some structures survived into the 20th century.
WALLACE CAMP-- Nearby the 18th Infantry. Run by Lew Wallace, author of "Ben Hur."
And You Didn't Think There Was Any Civil War Stuff in Columbus. --Old B-R'er
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
