On April 15, 1862 President Lincoln issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 militiamen. A week later the first Kelley's Island men answered that call. The South had succeeded from the Union. Before the war finally ended, 100 men would be sent from the shores of Kelleys Island to fight for the reunification of the country serving in the 3rd Ohio Cavalry, the 38th, 100th, and 101st Ohio Infantries, 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery and the 130th Ohio Volunteer Militia. Their stories are told through the first-hand accounts by the soldiers themselves. By 1864, 100 of the 600 residents of Kelleys Island had enlisted.
	One soldier, Jacob Rush of the 3rd Ohio Cavalry, enrolled when he was just 15 years old. He was wounded twice and just before the end of his enlistment, he was captured as a spy and sent to Cahaba Prison. He helped organize an escape attempt and survived a brutal flood at the prison. When finally released, he boarded the steamboat Sultana which exploded on the river. Out of the 2,200 persons on board, only 550 were rescued and of those, 150 died within 24 hours of exposure. 
In September 1864 the steamers Philo Parsons and the Island Queen were seized at Put-in-Bay, part of a plan to take control of the gunboat Michigan and turn the guns on the Johnson's Island garrison, forcing the release of the Confederate prisoners. On the Island Queen were 25 soldiers of the 130th Ohio Volunteer Militia were just returning from their 100-Days service. Although the book covers the island's history during the Civil War years, it is not all about the war. Property changed hands, couples got married, and the island community prospered. Some of the island's classic houses were built and grape fever was fueling a growing wine industry. The islanders held dances, festivals and entertainments. Even at this time the island was fast becoming a place of resort where people could come to get away from the city and take in the clean, refreshing lake breezes.

Kelleys Island 1862-1865 Civil War, the Island Soldiers, & the Island Queen

Korenko, Leslie

Wine Press

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Books by Korenko, Leslie

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Korenko, Leslie. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Kelleys Island 1862-1865 Civil War, the Island Soldiers, & the Island Queen