Jonah Key was wounded at what is called the Second Battle of Petersburg, the attempt by Union forces to take the town while it was lightly guarded. It was a failure and this ended up with the ten month siege of Petersburg.
Union forces might have captured it with ease at first, but delays enabled Lee to get reinforcements there.
Fighting lasted from June 15th to June 18th. Of 62,000 Union troops engaged, there were 8,150 casualties, including Mr. Key.
His regiment, the 4th US Colored, participated in both attacks on Fort Fisher and the Wilmington Campaign and were at Goldsboro, NC in March.
They participated in many engagements during their term of service. At Chaffin's Farm, three members received the Medal of Honor.
A Gallant Regiment. --Old B-R
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Finally Getting His Grave Marker-- Part 2
This story takes place in Pennsylvania.
Ciani found a GAR marker at an unmarked grave in the cemetery with the number 150 on it. he researched and was able to find out information on Jonah Key.
he was born in Frederick County, Md around 1838 and lived there until 1860. On Augusat 4, 1863, he enlisted in the US Army at age 25, in Co. F, 4th US Colored Troops.
The 1850 and 1860 US Census reports him as a free man working as a laborer and blacksmith. Ciani and Riley think that Jonah Key's father may have been a slave freed by Francis Scott Key of Star-Spangled Banner fame.
Key married Virginia Dick in 1861 and had two children. He served at the battles of Bermuda Hundred, Fort Converse and Petersburg. He was wounded June 15, 1864 in the left hand, shattering the bone and causing the hand to become useless. He was discharged April 1, 1865, moved to Pittsburgh and worked as a laborer. His first wife died in 1892 and he remarried. In 1920, he was living in New Brighton and died of heart failure at the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Dayton, Ohio, on April 12, 1920.
A Brave Soldier Who deserves a Tombstone. --B-R'er
Ciani found a GAR marker at an unmarked grave in the cemetery with the number 150 on it. he researched and was able to find out information on Jonah Key.
he was born in Frederick County, Md around 1838 and lived there until 1860. On Augusat 4, 1863, he enlisted in the US Army at age 25, in Co. F, 4th US Colored Troops.
The 1850 and 1860 US Census reports him as a free man working as a laborer and blacksmith. Ciani and Riley think that Jonah Key's father may have been a slave freed by Francis Scott Key of Star-Spangled Banner fame.
Key married Virginia Dick in 1861 and had two children. He served at the battles of Bermuda Hundred, Fort Converse and Petersburg. He was wounded June 15, 1864 in the left hand, shattering the bone and causing the hand to become useless. He was discharged April 1, 1865, moved to Pittsburgh and worked as a laborer. His first wife died in 1892 and he remarried. In 1920, he was living in New Brighton and died of heart failure at the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Dayton, Ohio, on April 12, 1920.
A Brave Soldier Who deserves a Tombstone. --B-R'er
Who Gave the Order?
Back on Feb. 27th, I wrote about General Jackson being shot at Chancellorsville by men commanded by Major. John Decatur Barry. here's a followup on the story.
He was born in Wilmington, NC, on June 21, 1839 and went to the University of North Carolina. He enlisted at the outbreak of the war in Co. I, 18th NC and in April 1862, was elected captain of his company and later wounded at the Battle of Frayser's Farm.
After Antietam, he was promoted to major, and it was he who gave the order for his men to fire at what they thought to be Union cavalry at Chancellorsville, but ended up being General Stonewall Jackson and his staff. Jackson lost his arm and later died from complications of the wound.
Even so, Barry was promoted to colonel and commanded the 18th NC at Pickett's Charge July 3, 1863. The 18th also participated in the Overland Campaign. When Gen. Lane was wounded at Cold Harbor, June 2, 1864, Barry was promoted to brigadier general, but was wounded bu a sniper at Deep Bottom, resulting in the loss of two fingers. The generalship was rescinded with the wound and Lane's return to action, and Barry was given a command of a department in North Carolina.
He only survived the war by two years. With his heath in bad shape because of the war, Barry edited a Wilmington newspaper before dying at age 27 in 1867. Friends said he died of a broken heart for having given the order to fire at Jackson. He is buried at Wilmington's Oakdale Cemetery.
I'll have to look up his grave the next time I'm there. Many of Fort Fisher's defenders, including Gen. Whiting, are buried there.
A Hard War for Everyone Concerned. --Old B-Runner
He was born in Wilmington, NC, on June 21, 1839 and went to the University of North Carolina. He enlisted at the outbreak of the war in Co. I, 18th NC and in April 1862, was elected captain of his company and later wounded at the Battle of Frayser's Farm.
After Antietam, he was promoted to major, and it was he who gave the order for his men to fire at what they thought to be Union cavalry at Chancellorsville, but ended up being General Stonewall Jackson and his staff. Jackson lost his arm and later died from complications of the wound.
Even so, Barry was promoted to colonel and commanded the 18th NC at Pickett's Charge July 3, 1863. The 18th also participated in the Overland Campaign. When Gen. Lane was wounded at Cold Harbor, June 2, 1864, Barry was promoted to brigadier general, but was wounded bu a sniper at Deep Bottom, resulting in the loss of two fingers. The generalship was rescinded with the wound and Lane's return to action, and Barry was given a command of a department in North Carolina.
He only survived the war by two years. With his heath in bad shape because of the war, Barry edited a Wilmington newspaper before dying at age 27 in 1867. Friends said he died of a broken heart for having given the order to fire at Jackson. He is buried at Wilmington's Oakdale Cemetery.
I'll have to look up his grave the next time I'm there. Many of Fort Fisher's defenders, including Gen. Whiting, are buried there.
A Hard War for Everyone Concerned. --Old B-Runner
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Said I Wasn't Going to Do It Any More
Well, I broke down. I have a fairly big library of Civil War books and I said to myself after I retired from teaching about three years ago that I wasn't going to buy any more, or at LEAST until I read what i had.
I broke down and did it.
This past month, I bought two more Civil War books at Half-Price Books in Arlington Heights. My excuse is that both were $5 apiece and both were on the naval aspects of the war. That's my excuse, anyway.
Both were by Jack D. Coombe and dealing with naval actions in the west, along the Mississippi River and Gulf Coasts.
"Thunder Along the Mississippi: The River battles That Split the Confederacy" dealt with the river ironclads, actions at fort Henry and Donelson, capture New Orleans, Vicksburg, and Red River. This was hardbound---for $5. Good Deal.
"Gunfire Around the Gulf:The Last Major Naval Campaigns of the Civil War" deals with the attack on New Orleans, Galveston, and Mobile. Since we went around the forts at Mobile in 2008, I'm especially interested in this one.
I'll be an expert on actions in these waters by the time I finish these two books, IF I FINISH THESE TWO BOOKS!!!
Set Me Down and Start Me to Reading. --Old B-Runner
I broke down and did it.
This past month, I bought two more Civil War books at Half-Price Books in Arlington Heights. My excuse is that both were $5 apiece and both were on the naval aspects of the war. That's my excuse, anyway.
Both were by Jack D. Coombe and dealing with naval actions in the west, along the Mississippi River and Gulf Coasts.
"Thunder Along the Mississippi: The River battles That Split the Confederacy" dealt with the river ironclads, actions at fort Henry and Donelson, capture New Orleans, Vicksburg, and Red River. This was hardbound---for $5. Good Deal.
"Gunfire Around the Gulf:The Last Major Naval Campaigns of the Civil War" deals with the attack on New Orleans, Galveston, and Mobile. Since we went around the forts at Mobile in 2008, I'm especially interested in this one.
I'll be an expert on actions in these waters by the time I finish these two books, IF I FINISH THESE TWO BOOKS!!!
Set Me Down and Start Me to Reading. --Old B-Runner
Friday, February 27, 2009
Drayton vs. Drayton
Today's HMdb, Historical Marker database wrote about the meeting of two brothers from South Carolina in battle today. Thomas Drayton, brigadier general CSA and Commodore Percival Drayton, on the USS Pocahontas met in battle Nov. 7, 1861 at the Battle of Fort Walker, SC.
Percival was appointed a midshipman in 1827 and brother Thomas graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point in 1828.
At the outbreak of hostilities, they met and shook hands before joining forces with the different sides.
Like They Say, It Was Brother vs. Brother. --Old B'R
Percival was appointed a midshipman in 1827 and brother Thomas graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point in 1828.
At the outbreak of hostilities, they met and shook hands before joining forces with the different sides.
Like They Say, It Was Brother vs. Brother. --Old B'R
Who Shot General Jackson?
From Fall 2008 Douglas Dispatch of Camp Douglas 1507 Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans.
(Camp Douglas was an infamous Confederate prison in Chicago during the war.)
As most know, "Stonewall" Jackson died as a result of friendly fire after being wounded at Chancellorsville on May 2, 1863, bu unknown members of the 18th NC. He died May 10th.
The order to fire was given by Major John D. Barry and Jackson was struck by three bullets. Barry died two years after the war at age 27 and his family always believed it was a result of depression and guilt as a consequence of giving the order to fire.
War, Not a Good Solution. --Old B-R'er
(Camp Douglas was an infamous Confederate prison in Chicago during the war.)
As most know, "Stonewall" Jackson died as a result of friendly fire after being wounded at Chancellorsville on May 2, 1863, bu unknown members of the 18th NC. He died May 10th.
The order to fire was given by Major John D. Barry and Jackson was struck by three bullets. Barry died two years after the war at age 27 and his family always believed it was a result of depression and guilt as a consequence of giving the order to fire.
War, Not a Good Solution. --Old B-R'er
Lee-Jackson Dinner-- Camp Douglas
Continuing with Norman Stevens interesting talk on Lexington, Virginia, Lee, and Jackson.
In the 1850s, Lexington was the Athens of the South with its two institutions, VMI and Washington College. You received a classical education at Washington and a scientific one at VMI.
Stevens received his BA from the Virginia Military Institute, MA and PhD from Connecticut.
Some Other News
GOOD NEWS; Camp Douglas member Mike Triplett has taken it upon himself to establish a new Sons of Confederate Veterans camp in the Peoria, Illinois, area. Best of luck, Mike. At present, there are no Illinois Division camps in that area.
THE CHALLENGE IS ON-- Camp Douglas has long been the undisputed largest camp in the Illinois Division. However, Camp 1962 in Belleville, Illinois, now has 41 full SCV members and 13 associate members. Guess we'd better get to some serious recruiting.
Confederately. --Old B-R
In the 1850s, Lexington was the Athens of the South with its two institutions, VMI and Washington College. You received a classical education at Washington and a scientific one at VMI.
Stevens received his BA from the Virginia Military Institute, MA and PhD from Connecticut.
Some Other News
GOOD NEWS; Camp Douglas member Mike Triplett has taken it upon himself to establish a new Sons of Confederate Veterans camp in the Peoria, Illinois, area. Best of luck, Mike. At present, there are no Illinois Division camps in that area.
THE CHALLENGE IS ON-- Camp Douglas has long been the undisputed largest camp in the Illinois Division. However, Camp 1962 in Belleville, Illinois, now has 41 full SCV members and 13 associate members. Guess we'd better get to some serious recruiting.
Confederately. --Old B-R
Thursday, February 26, 2009
The Last Frying Pan Shoals Light?
During the Civil War, Frying Pan Shoals, off Cape Fear River, NC, was a major hazard for both blockade runners and Union blockaders. From 1866, there had been a lightship anchored there. Before the Civil War, the Baldhead Lighthouse warned ships of the dangerous shoals.
In 1966, the lightship was replaced by a steel oil drilling platform known as a Texas Tower standing on four steel legs. It was built in Louisiana and brought by barge to Frying Pan Shoals.
The sub floor has 5,000 square feet of living space: bedrooms, kitchen, office, storage area, recreational facilities and bathroom.
It has now been replaced by a buoy. Of course, with GPS, the need of a light is no longer needed. The old tower is now up for bid, originally starting at $10,000, but today I see it is still going and the high bid is at $295,000. The US General Services Administration is conducting it.
I have read that it is in a great area for diving.
Hey, Wanna Buy a Light Tower Out in the Middle of Nowhere.
In 1966, the lightship was replaced by a steel oil drilling platform known as a Texas Tower standing on four steel legs. It was built in Louisiana and brought by barge to Frying Pan Shoals.
The sub floor has 5,000 square feet of living space: bedrooms, kitchen, office, storage area, recreational facilities and bathroom.
It has now been replaced by a buoy. Of course, with GPS, the need of a light is no longer needed. The old tower is now up for bid, originally starting at $10,000, but today I see it is still going and the high bid is at $295,000. The US General Services Administration is conducting it.
I have read that it is in a great area for diving.
Hey, Wanna Buy a Light Tower Out in the Middle of Nowhere.
A Blockade-Runner That Didn't Make It to the Confederacy
The Iona II was built in Glasgow in 1863 and used as a River Clyde ferry. It's twenty-foot paddle wheels and twin oscillating engines supposedly could give the ship a top speed of24 knots, one of the fastest vessels around.
After a year's operation, it was bought by the Confederate government and fitted out to run the blockade. Unfortunately, it was lost on its way to the southern states on Jan. 19,1864, when it encountered a bad storm and sank east of Lundy Island, Britain. It reportedly was heavily salvaged at the time.
In 1976, it was rediscovered by John Shaw and sits upright where a large part of its hull is buried.
One That Didn't Get Home. --Old B-Runner
After a year's operation, it was bought by the Confederate government and fitted out to run the blockade. Unfortunately, it was lost on its way to the southern states on Jan. 19,1864, when it encountered a bad storm and sank east of Lundy Island, Britain. It reportedly was heavily salvaged at the time.
In 1976, it was rediscovered by John Shaw and sits upright where a large part of its hull is buried.
One That Didn't Get Home. --Old B-Runner
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Battle of Aiken, South Carolina
This past weekend marked the 16th Battle and 15th reenactment of the Battle of Aiken. Local news reports said that as many as 13,000 came out to see the action of nearly 800 soldiers, 20 cavalrymen and more than a dozen cannons.
Again, Confederates kept Union forces from capturing Aiken. Author and playwright David Chauters played Lee. Said an organizer, "Hopefully people took home a little bit of history with them."
After Sherman took Savannah, he prepared to march his army through South Carolina, predicting dire consequences. "The devil himself couldn't restrain my men in that state." His cavalry commander,Judson Kilpatrick, reportedly purchased $5,000 worth of matches for the invasion.
On Feb. 11, 1865, after looting Barnwell, SC, he set fire to it and sarcastically renamed it "Burn-Well." He was heading for Aiken when, on Feb. 11th, Confederate cavalry under Joseph Wheeler scored one of the final Confederate victories, possibly saving Aiken and Augusta from the torch.
Sounds Like Quite a Show. --Old B-Runner
Again, Confederates kept Union forces from capturing Aiken. Author and playwright David Chauters played Lee. Said an organizer, "Hopefully people took home a little bit of history with them."
After Sherman took Savannah, he prepared to march his army through South Carolina, predicting dire consequences. "The devil himself couldn't restrain my men in that state." His cavalry commander,Judson Kilpatrick, reportedly purchased $5,000 worth of matches for the invasion.
On Feb. 11, 1865, after looting Barnwell, SC, he set fire to it and sarcastically renamed it "Burn-Well." He was heading for Aiken when, on Feb. 11th, Confederate cavalry under Joseph Wheeler scored one of the final Confederate victories, possibly saving Aiken and Augusta from the torch.
Sounds Like Quite a Show. --Old B-Runner
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Running the Blockade: Hinton's History-- CSA Galleries Closing
Some New News About an Old War. The Civil War, that is.
1. HINTON'S HISTORY-- Back in January, Darby Hinton was filming an episode on Fort Fisher, NC. His father is a native of Wilmington and Darby enjoys the area, but has not been back since the 1965 Azalea Festival..
Darby Hinton played the role of Israel Boone in the old Daniel Boone TV series and currently does a weekly program on a family on a mission to learn more about historic sites and events of the world.
Very handy that this was also the weekend of the Civil War re-enactment and anniversary celebration at the fort. WECT-6 TV, Wilmington, NC.
2. CSA GALLERIES CLOSING-- the South Carolina Senate leader, Glenn McConnell and his brother Sam are closing their store in North Charleston, SC, which they have operated for 20 years. They specialized in Confederate collectibles, but, there is a chance that they will continue selling items on the internet.
Some items are now at 50% off, but I did not see any great prices on their website.
Could this have something to do with pc?
www.csagalleries.com
Now, You Know. --Old B-Runner
1. HINTON'S HISTORY-- Back in January, Darby Hinton was filming an episode on Fort Fisher, NC. His father is a native of Wilmington and Darby enjoys the area, but has not been back since the 1965 Azalea Festival..
Darby Hinton played the role of Israel Boone in the old Daniel Boone TV series and currently does a weekly program on a family on a mission to learn more about historic sites and events of the world.
Very handy that this was also the weekend of the Civil War re-enactment and anniversary celebration at the fort. WECT-6 TV, Wilmington, NC.
2. CSA GALLERIES CLOSING-- the South Carolina Senate leader, Glenn McConnell and his brother Sam are closing their store in North Charleston, SC, which they have operated for 20 years. They specialized in Confederate collectibles, but, there is a chance that they will continue selling items on the internet.
Some items are now at 50% off, but I did not see any great prices on their website.
Could this have something to do with pc?
www.csagalleries.com
Now, You Know. --Old B-Runner
Monday, February 23, 2009
The Civil War in Columbus, Ohio
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
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
Camp Douglas Lee-Jackson Dinner-- Part 3
We had an excellent presentation by Norman S. Stevens who is currently executive director of the Kankakee County Historical Museum and is author of ten books.
He said that Lexington, Virginia is the Val halla of the Confederacy. Lee, one of his sons, Jackson, and other Confederate officers are buried there. He said that there was a fire in the Presbyterian church in Lexington, but Jackson's pew was not hurt. Stevens graduated from Virginia Military Institute and he said that no classes are held on Lee's birthday.
Lee's greatest moment came not on a battlefield, but happened when he received a letter from Washington University to accept its presidency. Lee had received lots of other offers and was under pressure to write his memoirs, but yet, rode, unescorted to Lexington where he found a nearly bankrupt and broken down college. He said that for the last 4 and a half years, he had overseen the death of the youth of the south and would now spend the rest of his life seeing to their education.
Later, when the Federal government required Southern officers to take a second oath of allegiance, many former soldiers were thinking about refusing, but Lee took his second oath and then it was ok.
INTEREST IN HISTORY
Mr. Stevens said his father got him interested in history. On road trips, he made it a point to stop at all roadside markers.
Went, Stevens first went to VMI, he stayed in room 425 which was made out of Jackson's former lecture hall. Then, he lived in Room 324, which was Jackson's room from 1851 to 1852. Jackson spent 1851 to 1861 in Lexington.
Continued. --Old B-Runner
He said that Lexington, Virginia is the Val halla of the Confederacy. Lee, one of his sons, Jackson, and other Confederate officers are buried there. He said that there was a fire in the Presbyterian church in Lexington, but Jackson's pew was not hurt. Stevens graduated from Virginia Military Institute and he said that no classes are held on Lee's birthday.
Lee's greatest moment came not on a battlefield, but happened when he received a letter from Washington University to accept its presidency. Lee had received lots of other offers and was under pressure to write his memoirs, but yet, rode, unescorted to Lexington where he found a nearly bankrupt and broken down college. He said that for the last 4 and a half years, he had overseen the death of the youth of the south and would now spend the rest of his life seeing to their education.
Later, when the Federal government required Southern officers to take a second oath of allegiance, many former soldiers were thinking about refusing, but Lee took his second oath and then it was ok.
INTEREST IN HISTORY
Mr. Stevens said his father got him interested in history. On road trips, he made it a point to stop at all roadside markers.
Went, Stevens first went to VMI, he stayed in room 425 which was made out of Jackson's former lecture hall. Then, he lived in Room 324, which was Jackson's room from 1851 to 1852. Jackson spent 1851 to 1861 in Lexington.
Continued. --Old B-Runner
Sunday, February 22, 2009
John W. Jones-- Part 2
The John W. Jones House/Museum is located at 1250 Davis Street, Elmira, NY, in an area known as "Slabtown" that was settled by slaves in the 1840s and 1850s.
He became an agent on the Underground Railroad in 1851 after making an arrangement with a local railroad for a "Freedom Baggage Car. He usually handled groups of escaped slaves in parties of 6-10, but sometimes as many as 30.
He buried 2,973 Confederate soldiers and did such a great job at listing them that today, only 7 are listed as unknown. The federal government made the burial site a national cemetery Dec. 7, 1877.
As an escaped slave working on the Underground Railroad, it is amazing that he would be able to show so much respect for the Confederate soldiers.
A Man Who Should Be Respected. --Old. B-Runner
He became an agent on the Underground Railroad in 1851 after making an arrangement with a local railroad for a "Freedom Baggage Car. He usually handled groups of escaped slaves in parties of 6-10, but sometimes as many as 30.
He buried 2,973 Confederate soldiers and did such a great job at listing them that today, only 7 are listed as unknown. The federal government made the burial site a national cemetery Dec. 7, 1877.
As an escaped slave working on the Underground Railroad, it is amazing that he would be able to show so much respect for the Confederate soldiers.
A Man Who Should Be Respected. --Old. B-Runner
John W. Jones-- Underground Railroad
By Salle E. Richards, "An Unforgettable Family" Feb. 11, 2008, Elmira Star-Gazette..
John W. Jones was a former slave who buried Confederate soldiers who died at the infamous Elmira Prison Camp. Lucy Brown, 80, has spent the last ten years trying to preserve his home.
John Jones was born into slavery in 1817 in Leesburg, Virginia, and escaped with five others when he was 27.
After a month, he made it to Elmira where he learned to read and write and became a sexton at the First Baptist Church and a station master on the Underground Railroad and was credited with helping 800 slaves escape to Canada.
During the Civil War, he helped bury some of the more than 3000 Confederate prisoners who died at the prison camp. He always made sure each soldier was buried with respect and kept careful records so that families could later locate their loved ones.
His house was slated for demolition in the mid-1990s when Ms. Brown started trying to save it.
A Former Slave Forgiving Confederates. That is Quite the Story. --Old B-Runner
John W. Jones was a former slave who buried Confederate soldiers who died at the infamous Elmira Prison Camp. Lucy Brown, 80, has spent the last ten years trying to preserve his home.
John Jones was born into slavery in 1817 in Leesburg, Virginia, and escaped with five others when he was 27.
After a month, he made it to Elmira where he learned to read and write and became a sexton at the First Baptist Church and a station master on the Underground Railroad and was credited with helping 800 slaves escape to Canada.
During the Civil War, he helped bury some of the more than 3000 Confederate prisoners who died at the prison camp. He always made sure each soldier was buried with respect and kept careful records so that families could later locate their loved ones.
His house was slated for demolition in the mid-1990s when Ms. Brown started trying to save it.
A Former Slave Forgiving Confederates. That is Quite the Story. --Old B-Runner
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