Johnson Island Prison

1864: “A Game They Call Base-Ball”

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / 3 Comments

25th July.

Today the order for the removal of Gen. Johnston and the appointment of Gen. Hood to the command of the Georgia army is read in our room. Grief and indignation fill nearly every breast. Probably no General of any war has been so continually unsuccessful (or, if you please, so devoid of victories) as Gen. Johnston, who at the same time has retained the almost enthusiastic confidence of the troops and generals serving with him. If they are in perpetual retreat they don’t appear to mind it, and if they suffer reverses they do not appear to regard them as such. This same feeling of unbounded confidence and trust filled the brave souls of the veterans of the Peninsula campaign even when hemmed and packed close around Richmond in 1862. It never deserted his noble army in the disastrous campaign of Mississippi, and every batch of prisoners from his army up to the present have told the same story – that the whole army has the most implicit confidence in Johnston as the man who is to bring them safely through all their trial, dangers, and conflicts…

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1864: “We Celebrated The 22nd”

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / 1 Comment

Feb. 15th
Receive a letter from Father. He says everything is bright and cheerful in the South and whatever suffering there may be it is not perceptible, but everyone appears to enjoy himself as though there was no war. (I suppose this is putting a good face over our misfortunes.) Every week a rumor is afloat about our leaving the island by way of an exchange of prisoners between the North and South.


Feb. 22nd
In the evening we celebrate the 22nd by a few appropriate speeches from Col. Lewis, Mo., Capt. Houston, Va., and Capt. Fellows (Tenn. or Ark.). The Yankee officer of the day disperses the crowd, but not until we had paid the usual tribute of respect to Genl. Washington, the Father of Rebels.

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10 Things You Should Know About The Civil War & The Great Lakes

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / 1 Comment

Unless you live near them, the Great Lakes probably aren’t on your mind. That’s unfortunate because these huge bodies of water in the north eastern part of the United States – along the Canadian border – have been the scenes of many historic moments in American History.

There’s an idea that the American Civil War wasn’t fought in the North. And – generally speaking – that’s mostly true. However, there were plenty of riots, local disturbances, sabotage attempts, and other violent issues in the “Union” states. And Confederates caused disturbances around the Great Lakes.

Today – to provide some historical back-up to some plot points in Lighthouse Loyalty – we’ve rounded up ten basic things you should know about the Civil War on the Great Lakes. Continue reading →

John Y. Beall – A Confederate Spy (Who Got Hanged)

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / 2 Comments

Oops! I guess I put the spoiler in the title. Oh, well. Hopefully, it makes you more curious. After-all, unless you’ve really researched Confederate spies, hangings, secret agents, or sabotage along the Great Lakes/Canadian border, you probably haven’t heard of John Yates Beall.

How did I discover this historical character? The McGuires. If you’ve been following Gazette665 for a while or check our photos on social media, you’ll know that I’ve been researching the McGuire Family of Winchester, Virginia, for about three years now. One of the McGuire boys (Edward) was involved in some secret agent or spy stuff with John Beall. In fact, Edward was so secretive that I’m still looking for clear information about his activities. That will have to be another story at another time.

Today, we’re talking about John Yates Beall, a Confederate spy. Why was he a spy? What did he do? How did he get caught? Let’s find out: Continue reading →

The “Traitorous” Fiddler With A Connection To Jefferson Davis (Guest Post)

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / 2 Comments

David Connon

David Connon

Today, we are pleased to welcome David Connon as a guest author on Gazette665.

David Connon is a historical researcher, speaker, and writer.  He has spent the past six years documenting 75 Iowa residents who left that state and served the Confederacy. Their existence (in a strongly pro-Union state) represents a scarlet ribbon of political dissent.  He shares some of those stories in his blog, Confederates from Iowa:  Not to defend, but to understand. He is a great-great-grandson of two Union veterans.  Mr. Connon has spoken to audiences across Iowa through the Humanities Iowa Speakers Bureau.  During the season, he works as a historical interpreter at Living History Farms.  He has a master’s degree in education from Northern Illinois University.

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