Bosque Bello Cemetery, Fernandina Beach, Florida
Reinternment of Lt. Edward John Kent Johnston
October 2002
photos by Mark Garfinkel

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In October 2002, Cpl. Edward Gill, Pvt. Neil Fitzgibbons and Pvt. Mark Coplen were near Jacksonville Florida for the reinternment of Lieutenant Edward John Kent Johnston, Assistant Engineer of the CSS RAM ATLANTA, finally uniting husband and wife in the evocative Bosque Bello Cemetery near Fort Clinch in Fernandina Beach, FL.

A native of Dublin, Ireland, Lt. Johnston had been captured early in the war and imprisioned in an island prison camp in Boston, MA. Johnston died in the prison and was buried there. His remains were moved several times after the war as the facility was moved or rebuilt.

Johnston's final journey to Florida made national news. His remains were brought by boat on the St. John's river, to the cemetery. Many family decendents were present to welcome him. Confederate reenactors made a fine honor guard and 12 cannons were manned for the final salute. Gill and Fitzgibbons served with Jack Treadwell's section of original Dahlgren boat howitzers. Mrs. Treadwell was in attendance and the couple were still in the glow of their 55th wedding anniversary on the 25th of October.
More Information about the Reinternment!