On Feb. 16, 1862, about 14,000 Confederate soldiers surrendered to Ohio native and Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at Fort Donelson, Tenn. Nearly all of the Confederate officers taken at that time were sent to Camp Chase Military Prison in Columbus, Ohio.

As many as 10,000 men were jammed into quarters built for 7,000. Before 1863, prisoners' remains were buried in the City Cemetery in Columbus. They were re-interred at Camp Chase late that year. More than 2,000 men were buried on a lot smaller than 2 acres. All but 31 (who died at Camp Dennison) died while imprisoned at Camp Chase. Their graves were neglected until 1896, when Civil War veterans and Columbus citizens held a memorial at the cemetery. In 1902 a granite block memorial arch was erected, and in 1906, a white marble headstone was placed on each of 2,087 graves.

Rebecca Goodman

Ohio Moments will appear here daily during 2003. Have a suggestion? Contact Rebecca Goodman at rgoodman@enquirer.com or (513) 768-8361.