John Parker Collection

Captain John Parker of Prescott, Arkansas, was a member of the Confederate Army who was imprisoned at Johnson's Island Military Prison in the winter of 1863-1864. Johnson's Island Military Prison Camp for captured Confederate officers opened in April 1862. Located on Lake Erie, 2 miles from Sandusky, Ohio, Johnson Island was exclusively an officers' prison. At any one time, the prison averaged 2500 men. The officers had much better food, clothing, and shelter than the average soldier's prison camp but in 1864 the treatment became more cruel. The rations were reduced so much that many of the prisoners were emaciated. More escape attempts were made at that time. Still, even with the crueler treatment the officers were better off. The weather was pleasant in the summer, but freezing in the winter. For example, on New Year's Day in 1864 several men froze to death because of the cold winds blowing across Lake Erie. Also during January 1864, it is reported that the temperature fell to -30 degrees Fahrenheit. Johnson Island Military Prison closed in September 1865, having held a total of 7, 357 prisoners in its short history.