July 20, 1863: Capture in Cheshire

“Buffington Bar, July 20, 1863.
(Received July 21.)

Col. Lewis Richmond:
I have just received 81 prisoners from General Shackelford and Colonel Wolford. At Chester there are 135 more, captured by the Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry. My command is scouting in every direction. Of those sent from this place today, 600 were captured by my command, including Cols. Dick Morgan, Duke, Ward, and others; also the notorious Captain Hines. My troops fought at two points on yesterday. The citizens have buried 47 rebels, and Dr. Scriven buried 7. They are perfectly demoralized, broken up, and are endeavoring to escape in small squads. I will use every exertion to capture them all. The pursuit of Morgan has been difficult, and required a vast amount of patience and industry to effect a success. I have Colonel Huffman, brought in since I commenced writing, also several surgeons, as prisoners; the colonel is wounded.
Very respectfully,

E. H. Hobson,
Brigadier General, Commanding.”[i]

During the last confused hours of the Battle of Buffington Island, James Edward Evans, my second great grandfather, escaped with a group of men under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel James B. McCreary. McCreary hastily, and rather disjointedly, recorded these traumatizing events in his diary.

“Jul 20. Today we reached Cheshire. There Buffington was entrenched to a certain extent. The Yankees pressed us in the rear and fired upon us from their gunboats in front, Thus forcing us back to a high hill, where, after exhausting our ammunition, we surrendered 700 men. I saw Gen. Shackleford and arranged the terms of surrender. He allowed all field officers to retain side arms and horses, and all others to retain private property. This proposition I announced to all the officers and all voted to surrender, and thus ended the saddest day of my life.”

~ Lt. Col. James B. McCreary, 11th Kentucky Cavalry CSA [ii]

James Bennett McCreary later served in the U. S. Senate and as Governor of Kentucky

Legend holds that the men escaping with Lieutenant Colonel McCreary crossed this covered bridge in Megis County, Ohio as they fled. [iii]

General Shackelford had pursued escaping Raiders through out the night of July 19th and into the next afternoon of July 20th. In the late afternoon, he over took them near Kyger Creek, roughly ten miles from Gallipolis. Shackelford’s forces skirmished with the Raiders driving them to the top of a high bluff before demanding their surrender. Colonel Cicero Coleman was select from the remaining officers to broker the terms of surrender. The sun had set and rain was falling when the Raiders moved down hill to surrender.

Members of the Fifth Kentucky Cavalry recorded their capture in their diaries and letters to loved ones.

“20th of July at 4 P.M. we arrived at Cheshire ,O., on the river some 50 or 60 miles below Buffington. For several hours previous to arriving at Cheshire the 5th Ky. under my Comd. & the 6th Comd. by R. D. Logan were actively engaged with Woolford's and Judah's Cavalry that hotly pressed our rear. Ammunition being entirely exhausted, and one-half the command having lost their guns during the rapid retreat of the preceding day and night, and the river being impassable, we were forced to surrender. We held a Council of War on a high hill about 4 mi. below Cheshire and sent a flag of truce to [the commanding Union officer]. Col. Coleman, of Cluke's Regt. was our senior officer left, & the terms of surrender was agreed about sunset.”

~ Captain Thomas Monroe Coombs, Co. c, 5th KY Cavalry, Morgan’s Division, CSA [iv]

“Here an act of General Morgan’s gives the emphatic lie to the base slander started by Federal Officers and the Yankee Press that the General was taking care of himself and trying to leave his men to get out the best way they could. Some of our men had crossed and the General, who was riding a splendid horse, had started into the river, when the advancing gun boat attracted his attention. His practiced eye saw at a glance that it would arrive before one-third of our men could cross, he turned his horse and came back to the Ohio shore, nobly disdaining to place himself in safety and leave his followers under existing difficulties. Failing the second attempt to cross the river, we again turned and taking a course nearly north, we traveled almost incessantly for twenty-five or thirty miles, passing on the night of the 19th almost through a large camp of the enemy; then turning to the left we again came to the river on the evening of the 20th at Cheshire, some sixty or seventy miles below Buffington.

Here, again we found the river past fording and gun boats covering its surface, while overpowering numbers of the enemy were rapidly advancing in our rear; half our men were without guns, having left them in the fight and retreat of the previous day, and nearly all without ammunition. Confusion took the place of order, and Officers could not control the men, and thus every man for himself, we again commenced to retreat down the river. In the confusion the general part of Duke’s and Cluke’s regiments became separated from the rest of the command. We kept our way down the river three or four miles, took a position on a high hill and prepared to fight them again, but soon discovered that we were not only cut off from our leader and the head of the column, but that we were surrounded by a vastly superior force of the enemy. ‘Twas madness to contend against fate, and after a consultation, we surrendered. General Morgan with the remainder of the force was not captured until the 26th.”

~ Captain Thomas M. Combs, Company G, 5th KY Cavalry[v]

General Judah eagerly reported their capture.

“Pomeroy, July 21, 1863 – 3 a. m.

General Burnside:
I have just returned form Champaign Creek and Cheshire. One thousand and twenty prisoners are on the river at the latter place. They surrendered to General Shackelford at 5 p. m. last evening. I have seen them myself. I think the Fifth Indiana and Fourteenth Illinois will finish up tomorrow, if other forces do not. Boats should be sent up with infantry guards as soon as possible to these points and Cheshire for prisoners. I shall be here till daylight, perhaps longer.

H. M. Judah,
Brigadier –General, Commanding.”[vi]

The Raiders, now Union prisoners, were loaded onto steamboats.

“Pomeroy, July 21, 1863.

General Burnside:
I dare not trust the prisoners going down with the Cincinnati six months’ men. I will wait for Manson’s or other infantry. The Fifth Indiana Cavalry found roads obstructed. I detained the regiment for the present. It is needed as guard to prisoners. Shackleford was last night at Cheshire.

H. M. Judah,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.”[vii]


“Pomeroy, July 22, 1863.

Major-General Burnside:
The following is a list of prisoners: Sent on Starlight and Ingomar, 790; sent by General Hobson, 96; to go from here, 227; at Cheshire, 1,100; taken down by General Scammon, 160; total 2,321 [2,373]. Assuming at least 100 to have crossed the river, 2,450 are accounted for. Colonel Duke assured me that Morgan had but 2,800 men to cross the Ohio River with. I believe him. He accounted for the balance. Where shall I order General Shackelford’s forces to go, and where the troops of my division? I leave Kautz in command of 1,000 men, until all is quiet. I must dismount cavalry as guards to prisoners; the men can thus more readily join their commands. Captured horses will go by land; it is less expensive, and better for them.

H. M. Judah,
Brigadier-General.”[viii]

James Edward Evans, captured in Cheshire, Gallia County, Ohio on July 20, 1863, was one of the prisoners taken by steamboat to Cincinnati, Ohio for processing. On July 26, 1863 he was moved to Camp Chase, near Columbus, Ohio.[ix] Camp Chase was originally a prison for civilian political prisoners but began processing military prisoners in preparation for exchange in 1862. After the collapses of the Dix-Hill Cartel, July 13, 1863, the population of Camp Chase rose dramatically. The prisoners were “accommodated” in wood frame buildings and huts. [x]

“Monday, July 20
The rest of his men leave full chisel during night. Daylight press after them again. Go out foraging for company. Get lot of bread. 1012 rebs surrender to union forces. Take them to Chester on river.

Tuesday, July 21 .
Changing old horses for captured ones. Several citizens claiming horses and taking them away.

Wednesday, July 22
Nothing of importance happens in camp. 180 of Morgan's men reported to have been captured.

Thursday, July 23
Orders to saddle. Prisoners to go away. 45th to guard them. Co. G takes passage on steamer Navigator. Start 5 p.m. Travel all night. On duty from 12 p.m. till 4 a.m. Friday evening very pleasant.

Friday, July 24
Still floating on the bosom of the old Ohio. Prisoners very quiet. Halt at Maysville. Plenty of apples to be had. Land at Cincinnati at dusk. ”

~ Charles W. Durling, Company G, 45th Ohio Infantry [xi]

Everywhere the prisoners were taken, local citizens pressed around them hoping to catch a glimpse of "Morgan’s celebrated horse thieves."

“I was afraid that my journal would be taken from me so I hid most of it in my comfort [blanket] and the rest I hid under sand where I was sitting. The bank above was crowded with union citizens and soldiers looking at us, making it hard to hide anything. Fortunately, before it came to my turn to be searched, Major Coffee of Wolford’s cavalry came along and stopped the search, making the Yanks give back the things that they had taken. Major Coffee was once a prisoner in the hands of Morgan’s command and had been treated well. I found all of my papers again, but three or four days items of the raid.”

~ Curtis R. Burke, 14th Kentucky Calvary, Co. B [xii]

“The prisoners arrived on the afternoon train from Cincinnati, which stopped at the State Avenue crossing, thus saving the trouble of marching them from the depot. A detachment of the Provost Guard had been detailed to keep the road from the track to the penitentiary clear of people —a measure that was absolutely necessary, considering: the large crowd that had collected.”

~ Harper’s Weekly [xiii]

“Cincinnati, July 24, 1863.

General Hartsuff:
I am granting no permits whatever to se the prisoners. Morgan, with his small remnant of 400 to 500, is across Muskingum, and evidently making for the Ohio. Shackelford is only 5 miles behind, and Major Rue with cavalry in front. We hope to get him yet.

A. E. Burnside,
Major-General.”[xiv]

The last of the stolen horses, whose fate I have pondered for over 30 years, were distributed to local Ohio farmers or became property of the Union army.

“Pomeroy, July 21, 1863.

General Burnside:
Most of the captured horses belong to farmers, who are suffering for want of them. Are you willing that they be restored to owners upon affidavit of proprietorship, the whole to be collected here and placed in hands of the provost-marshal of this county or some other agent or officer? I am beleaguered with applications for restoration.

H. M. Judah,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.”[xv]

On July 26, 1863 John Hunt Morgan was surrendered to James Burbick, a Union "Home Guard" who was acting as Morgan’s guide, near Salineville, Ohio. Burbick, overwhelmed at the prospect of accepting a surrender, conveyed Morgan’s desire to Major Rue who in turn notified General Shackelford.

The Great Raid was at last over.

"Cincinnati, July 27, 1863.

Governor Tod:

Salineville, 26th.

General Burnside:
I captured John Morgan today at 2 p.m. taking 336 prisoners, 400 horses and arms. Morgan presented me his fine sorrel mare.

G. W. Rue,
Major Ninth Kentucky Cavalry.

This is one of the commands which you recommended should go to Bellaire, and Way, who brought him to a stand, was the other command, that were sent over the railroad. Your suggestions were good.

A. E. Burnside,
Major-General.” [xvi]


ENDNOTES

[i] “Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” Part I –Reports, p. 780.
[ii] Diary of James B. McCreary
[iii] Ohio Historical Society
[iv] Diary of Thomas M. Coombs
[v] Letter from Thomas M. Combs to his Wife Lou, August 14-15, 1863 http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~greenwolf/coombs/letter.htm
[vi] “Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” Part I –Reports, pages 783 - 784.
[vii] “Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” Part I –Reports, p. 784.
[viii] “Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” Part I –Reports, p. 788.
[ix] Compiled Military Service Record of James Edward Evans 1862 – 1865
[x] Further information regarding Camp Chase provided by the National Parks Service can be found at: http://www.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/123camp_chase/123facts1.htm
[xi] Diary of Charles W. Durling. Charles was killed in the siege of Knoxville, November 18, 1863
[xii] Journal of Curtis R. Burke.
[xiii] Harper’s Weekly, “Morgan’s Raid” August 15, 1863
[xiv] “Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” Part I –Reports, pages 796 - 797.
[xv] “Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” Part I –Reports, p. 785.

[xvi]"Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies," Part I - Reports, p. 808.

July 19, 1863: The Battle of Buffington Island

* WARNING: This section contains period writing in which racial slurs appear. These remarks in no manner reflect the views or opinions of the blog’s author. Frank and open discussions regarding racism are strongly encouraged and advised.

With the raiders nearly encircled by Union troops, the Battle of Buffington Island erupted during the early morning hours of July 19. Amazingly, this battle involved three future presidents of the United States: James Garfield, Rutherford B. Hayes, and William McKinley.[i]

Dawn found the Raiders on a flood plain between Union gunboats on the Ohio River to the East and the forces of Brig. Generals Henry Judah, James Shackelford and Edward Hobson to the West. Eager to return to Southern soil, the Raiders approached the river discovering that earthworks, built by the local militia, had been abandoned during the night. But all was not well. Too late, the Raiders realized they had entered a well laid trap.

“With its cloud of skirmishers in advance,
With now the sound of a single shot, snapping like a whip, and now an irregular volley,
The swarming ranks press on and on, the dense brigades press on;
Glittering dimly, toiling under the sun – the dust-cover’d men,
In columns rise and fall to the undulations of the ground,
With artillery interspers’d – the wheels rumble, the horses sweat…
As the army corps advances.”[ii]

Union Artillery rolled over a bluff. As the morning fog lifted, it became plain to see that the Raiders had been ambushed. The Raiders were standing in a v shaped funnel with Union defenders at each side and gunboats on the river. They were faced attack from three directions.

Hobson’s cavalry had finally caught up with Morgan.

“Just as the sky was growing gray with coming dawn on July 19th the welcome sound of half a dozen shots by our advanced guard told us we had struck Morgan’s outpost. Colonel Kautz immediately pushed his command forward at a brisk gait. Debouching from the river hills into the valley of the Ohio, near Buffington Island, we developed Morgan’s force where it had been delayed by fog, waiting for daylight to ford the river into West Virginia. Morgan’s two thousand horsemen were waiting on the lower end of a valley that lay between the hills and the river. The Union troops under General Judah, coming up the river from Pomeroy, where the steamboats had landed them, approached the enemy about the same time our vanguard of General Hobson’s force, led by Colonel Kautz, began the decent into the middle of the valley occupied by Morgan. Colonel Kautz attacked immediately upon arrival; our two pieces of artillery, answering Judah’s guns, informed Morgan that those who had followed him from the Cumberland River had closed in on him.

With the rising of the sun the fog lifted, showing the gunboats in the river, and to Morgan all hope of escape by fording the shallow bar was gone.”

~ Captain Theodore F. Allen, 7th Ohio Cavalry [iii]

Northern soldiers and gunboats commenced shelling from the Ohio River.

Parkersburg, July 19,1863. (Received 4:10 p. m.)

General Burnside:
News just in that the gunboats prevented Morgan crossing 18 miles below here. This was seen by the scout himself. The boats are loaded and ready to start.

Wm. Wallace,
Colonel Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.”[iv]

General Judah had arrived during the night as Morgan slept.

“Headquarters United States Forces, Buffington Bar, July 19, 1863 – 10 a. m. (Received July 23.)

Major-General Burnside:
Agreeably with my promise by telegraph last night, I announce the defeat of Morgan’s force. I traveled all night from Pomeroy; reached Buffington Flats at 5:30 this morning. A dense fog pervades everything. I took a small advance guard, and, with my escort, advanced with my staff, to reconnoiter down a road surrounded by enclosed fields. I had proceeded cautiously but one-fourth of a mile, when I found myself surrounded by the enemy, in front and on my flanks, dismounted, who poured in a heavy fire. Before I could get a piece of artillery in position it was captured. Two men were killed –Major McCook and Lieutenant Price – and some enlisted men wounded; Captain Kise, assistant adjutant-general, and Captain Grafton, volunteer aide-de-camp, with about 30 men, were captured. Finding it impossible to resist the heavy force of three regiments brought up against me, led by Basil Duke, I retreated upon the main body, brought it into action, and, in less than half an hour, completely routed the enemy. I recaptured the piece I lost; captured large quantities of camp equipage, two pieces of the enemy’s artillery, and forced him to abandon the only three he had left, driving him upon General Hobson. Particulars given more fully in report. Large number of prisoners taken. Enemy’s loss not yet ascertained; it cannot fall short of 100 killed and wounded.

H. M. Judah,
Brigadier-General.”[v]

The Raiders’ luck had run out. There was little choice but to try to evade capture.

“Cincinnati, July 19, 1863.

Lieutenant-Colonel Drake, Lexington, KY.:
Morgan’s force broken up today; about 1,000 prisoners already captured; a great many killed and wounded. Troops pursuing and picking them up. Colonels Ward and Dick Morgan among the prisoners. I will telegraph Colonel Harney direct. Expect to start back in noon train.

Geo. L. Hartsuff,
Major-General.”[vi]

Morgan encouraged those who dared to swim across the river under an unholy rain of cannon fire.

“In the early morning General Morgan rode into the river, but when about half way across, seeing that the greater number of his men would be forced to remain on the Ohio shore, he turned and rode back to that side of the stream, resolved to share the fate of his men.

Accompanying the raiders were a number of active and intelligent colored boys serving their young masters, to whom they were singularly devoted. Among them was a little fellow named “Box,” a privileged character, whose impudent airs were condoned by the cavaliers in consideration of his uniform cheerfulness and enlivening plantation melodies. When General Morgan had returned to the Ohio shore he saw Box plunge into the river and boldly swim toward the other side. Fearing the little fellow would be drowned, The General called him to return. ‘No, Marse John,’ cried Box, ‘if dey ketch you dey may parole you, but if dey ketch dis nigger in a free State he ain’t a-gwine ter git away while de wah lasts.’ Narrowly missing collision with a gunboat, Box crossed the river all right and escaped southward to the old plantation.”

~ Private George Dallas Mosgrove, 4th Kentucky Cavalry[vii]

Morgan turned northeast and made a second attempt to cross the Ohio River into West Virginia.

“Columbus, Ohio, July 19, 1863. (Received 9:30 p. m.)

Major-General Burnside:
Morgan struck the river at Buffington Island and was there repulsed. Proceeded up the river. Has twice tried to cross, without success. We have a good force at Marietta, and at Parkersburg militia force under command of Colonel Runkle. I doubt not we will take his entire command.

David Tod,
Governor.”[viii]

“The one desperate chance of escape was by the road leading out of the upper end of the valley, and towards this Morgan’s confused troopers swept through the standing grain fields of the fertile farm lands, with Colonel Kautz’s command in hot pursuit.”

~ Captain Theodore F. Allen, 7th Ohio Cavalry [ix]

“Sunday, July 19
Still pressing hard on Johnny. Came up with him about noon. Capture over 1000 prisoners at eight mile island.”

~ Charles W. Durling, Company G, 45th Ohio Infantry[x]

“July 18 – 19. All are on the ‘qui vive,’ for the Ohio River is full of gunboats and transports, and an immense force of cavalry is hovering in our rear. We reached Buffington tonight. All was quiet. A dense fog wrapped this woodland scene. Early in the morning of the 19th the Yankees guarding the ford were attacked by our force, and driven away and their artillery captured. Immediately after this, and whilst we were trying the river to ascertain if it was fordable, the gunboats steamed up the river. The transports landed their infantry, thousands of cavalry moved down upon us, and the artillery commenced its deadly work. We formed and fought here to no purpose. The river was very full inconsequence of a heavy rain away up the river. Shells and Minnie balls were ricocheting and exploding in every direction, cavalry were charging and the infantry with its slow, measured tread moved upon us, while broadside after broadside was poured upon our doomed command from the gunboats. It seemed as if our comparatively small command would be swallowed up by the innumerable hordes. About half of it was captured or killed. I made my way out by charging through the enemy’s lines with about one-half the Regiment, and finally formed a juncture with the remnant of our command under Gen Morgan, now numbering 1,200. With these we moved toward Cheshire, traveling rapidly all night, passing around the enemy’s pickets, over cliffs and ravines, which, under ordinary circumstances, would have been considered insurmountable.”

~ Lt. Col. James B. McCreary, 11th Kentucky Cavalry CSA[xi]

“ The first streak of morning light aroused us from our weary slumbers and mounting our tired and starving horses we prepared to meet the enemy, who in overwhelming numbers were rapidly closing around us, and several Gun Boats Gun Boats had ascended the river immediately in our front. We fought until our ammunition was expended and then retreated up the river, losing three or four hundred men; among them Cols. Duke, Smith & Morgan. I now had the command of our right & moving 9 m. up the river we again attempted to cross. Col. Johnson with about 300 men succeeded, but Gen. Morgan with the main body of the Comd. was nearly all night and making a wide detour on the 20th of July at 4 P.M. we arrived at Cheshire, O., on the river some 50 or 60 miles below Buffington. For several hours previous to arriving at Cheshire the 5th Ky. under my Comd. & the 6th Comd. by R. D. Logan were actively engaged with Woolford’s and Judah’s Cavalry that hotly pressed our rear. Ammunition being entirely exhausted, and one-half the command having lost their guns during the rapid retreat of the preceding day and night, and the river being impassable, we were forced to surrender. We held a Council of War on a high hill about 4 mi. below Cheshire and sent a flag of truce to Col. Coleman, of Cluke’s Regt. Was our senior officer left, & the terms of surrender was agreed about sunset.”

~ Captain Thomas M. Coombs[xii]

With about one thousand gallant but hopeless men, General Morgan withdrew form the Melee at Buffington Island and rode eastward, closely pursued by Hobson’s indefatigable cavalry. Weary and harassed, the Confederate chieftain continued to elude his relentless pursuers for six days, when, his followers reduced to two hundred men, he surrendered, July 26th, to a detachment of Hobson’s Kentucky Cavalrymen – Greek against Greek.”

~ Private George Dallas Mosgrove, 4th Kentucky Cavalry[xiii]

Another 700 Raiders became trapped with Basil Duke and Col. Smith and fought stubbornly until they were completely overwhelmed and forced to surrender.

“The dreaded missiles passed overhead and their hiss increased the panic. A shell struck the road throwing up a cloud of dust. Troopers began unloading their booty of the raid. Shoes, parasols, skates, birdcages were scatted to the wind. Long bolts of muslin and calico spun out in banners of brilliant colors, streaming in the morning sunlight. The wounded and terror-stricken occupants of the ambulance wagons urged the scared horses into headlong flight. Often they became locked together and were hurdled over as if by an earthquake. Occasionally a solid shot or unexploded shell would strike one, and dash it into splinters. The remaining section of Confederate artillery tumbled into a ravine as if the guns had been as light as feathers. The gunboats raked the road with grapeshot. In a moment the panic was complete and the disaster irretrievable.”

~ Brigadier-General Basil Duke[xiv]

“Immediately after the stampede began each one of Morgan’s troopers began to unload the plunder carried on his horse – boots, shoes, stockings, gloves, skates, sleigh bells, and bird cages scattered to the winds. Then the flying horsemen let loose their bolts of muslin and calico; holding one end, each cavalryman let the whole hundred yards stream out behind him. The most gorgeous kaleidoscopic view imaginable would not serve to describe the retreat of this ‘army with banners,’ and instantly, though greatly to our surprise, we found ourselves to be rainbow chasers in almost the literal sense of the word. No road could accommodate such a confused mass of two thousand flying horsemen, and they spread across the narrowing valley. Across the upper end of the valley a stream came down out of the hills to the river, cutting its way through the plain in a deep gorge. Into this gorge plunged and piled the flying cavalry, with their wagons of plunder, and our force close behind them. Some succeeded in getting beyond this sunken gorge to continue their flight, though many, dismounted and disabled, were captured here, while some halted a short distance beyond in the forest-clad hills to surrender, rather than continue a hopeless flight.”

~ Captain Theodore F. Allen, 7th Ohio Cavalry [xv]

“Sunday, July 19th, 1863. Weather clear. Day light came slow. We went to a stable and got corn for our horses before the fog cleared off. After feeding we rode down the river bank four or five hundred yards to a little village called Portland, Ohio where we dismounted to rest. I went to a house and got some bread and meat. About half of the people had left their houses. I had not been in town more than an hour when a detail of thirty men was called for to strengthen the pickets a few hundred yards below town. Sergeant Miller detailed me for one. We all went to the picket base and halted. We learned that one of our Brigades had taken some earthworks and a piece of artillery a short distance below us. About fifteen prisoners passed to the rear. We were on the river bank. Three of four of us gave our horses in charge of others and went down to the river and took a wash. We heard the boats puffing very plain and hurried to our horses. Buffington Island lay just below us. In five minutes more a shell burst some distance below us. The next one burst nearer on a bee line with us. We knew at once that the Yanks were shelling us. I dismounted and held my horse. The next shell burst right over us about fifty feet high. The boys commenced moving back slow, and I led my horse thinking it safer from the shells. Then two or three of the boats followed us up the river shelling us every few minutes. I saw a shell or solid shot strike the ground within two feet of the heels of a horse in the rear of one of the regiments, giving both horse and rider a shower of dirt. On reaching the hills our regiment bore a little too far to the left and got separated form the rest of the command. Myself, Henry Allen, Sergeant Brown and several others in going through the thick woods and bushes got separated from the regiment. We could hear them ahead of us. Sergeant Brown dropped a bundle and as he was leading an extra horse I dismounted and got it for him. The Yanks getting pretty close in our rear, we moved on. I took the lead. We crossed gullies, climbed steep banks, through thick matted undergrowth that I would have thought impossible to do. I felt proud of my horse for the manner in which he carried me through. In climbing a steep bank a grape vine took off my hat and nearly pulled me off my horse. I had to choose between my hat and my gun which I would loose. I concluded to let the hat go and save my gun and went on without going back for it. I reached an open road and found myself alone. I passed several pieces of our artillery upside down in a ditch with the horses cut loose. I soon found the regiment. A shell or two passed over us about tree top high showing that the Yanks were determined to shell us as long as we were within range. We still had hopes of getting with the balance of the command. The Yanks came up and fired into our rear. Co. A dismounted and fought them till the balance of the regiment reached a rise in the woods, and formed a line. We dismounted to fight and advanced about twenty-five yards. We stood behind trees waiting for the enemy to come up again. There was about two hundred stragglers from other regiments with us. They attempted to get away while we were in line, but they did not go more than a few hundred yards when a sharp fire was opened on them from the front and they came back in a hurry. Nothing coming up in the rear we mounted our horses, but had hardly done so when the Yanks came up and fired into us. We moved back slowly firing a few shots. I saw one Yankee horse loose in the front without a rider. No one hurt on our side. We soon found out that we were surrounded and cut of from the command entirely. Some of the officers by order of Col. Dick Morgan, who had been lost and just got with us, raised a white flag in the shape of a handkerchief on a ram rod. I left the regiment and took a road to the left in hopes of getting away. I did not go far till I met three or four of our boys coming back. They said they had tried to get out on several roads but the Yanks were all around us. I picked up a new hat that was too large for me and went back with them to the regiment. While Col. Dick Morgan was making the conditions of our surrender, we threw away nearly everything we had got on the raid. All of the pistols were thrown as far into the bushes as we could throw them. Some were thrown away in pieces. I met Pa [Burke’s father was a member of the same Company] looking as if he had lost something. I laughed and told him that we were trapped and had better make the best of it. Some of the boys even threw away greenbacks and watches for fear that the Yanks would treat them rough if they found such things about them. We cleared our saddles of everything new. There was enough things scatted through the woods to set up quite a respectable variety store. I got a hat to fit me. Most of us put on what ready made clothing we had on hand. There was some eight or ten left us with the bold intention of cutting their way out. We mounted, took our places, and rode four or five hundred yards down the road handing a Yank our guns as we passed. This made the second gun the Yanks had gotten from me. We came to where two or three regiments of Yankee cavalry and some artillery were in line. We formed two lines in front of them and were counted. The boys gave their spurs to the Yanks standing around. I called a young Yank and told him to take mine off and he did so thanking me for them. We then dismounted and stood in front of our horses. I loosened my saddle girt and slipped my bed comfort out knowing that I would need it to sleep on. I also took my journal from my saddle pockets and wrapped it up in the comfort, feeling very uneasy for its safety. We went through a light examination for arms and were marched into a field near by in the shade. We silently bid our horses good-by as they were led away. It was very warm and we were all very thirsty. Some of the Yankees took our canteens to a spring and filled them for us. WE were impressed with the unwelcome fact that we were no longer at liberty to do as we pleased. We were all in hopes that our being captured would give the rest of the command ample opportunity to escape from the large army in pursuit. Pa came across Lt. J. S. Pankey who before the war was one of his best marble agents in business. Lieut. Pankey said he would do anything he could for us. He appeared a little tipsy and gave me a fifty cent green back bill and would not let me give it back. We then marched through the dust back to our old camp near the river, a distance of three miles, where we found Lieut. Peddicord and a lot more of our boys. We halted in the middle of a wheat field with infantry guards around us. I noticed a good many pieces of artillery, also our own pieces that the yanks got before we could get them out of the bottom. I saw but one of our men dead on the field, but I heard that our loss in killed was five. In an hour or two Cols. Basil Duke and D. Howard Smith with about a hundred more of our command was brought in. The boys were all sorry that Duke was captured, but they cheered him when they found he was unharmed. The yanks issued some fat bacon and army crackers to us, and I picked up one of their haversacks with a tin cup and a spoon in it. I soon silenced all honest scruples and kept them. They were just the things that I needed. The guards and by standers handed us the nearest wheat shocks to sit on and sleep on. I opened three or four bundles of wheat and spread it on the ground myself. Henry White and Leven Young slept on it, and covered with my comfort. It was a warm one and the only thing in the mess in the way of bed clothing. I slept very well.

~Curtis R. Burke, 14th Kentucky Calvary, Co. B[xvi]

Very few Confederates managed to swim across the Ohio River and flee into West Virginia. Reports vary, giving numbers between 300 and 400 men managing to reach the opposite shore.

“About 350 of the boys crossed the river some distance above Buffington Island in the afternoon of July 19th under the command of Col. Adam R. Jackson [Johnson].”

~John Weatherred, 9th Tennessee Cavalry[xvii]

Among those who escaped across the river were David Berry, Colonel Adam “Stovepipe” Johnson, Warren Grigsby, and George Lighting Ellsworth.

“Looking back across the river I saw a number of hats floating on the surface, and knew that each represented a brave and gallant Confederate who had found a watery grave…”

~ Colonel Adam R. Johnson[xviii]

ENDNOTES

[i] Wittenberg, Eric J. “The Fight to Save The Buffington Island Battlefield” http://www.civilwarhome.com/buffington.htm
[ii] Whitman, Walt. “An Army Corps on the March.”
[iii] Allen, Theodore F. “In Pursuit of John Morgan,” Sketches of War History 1861-1865, Papers prepared for the Commandery of the Sate of Ohio, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States 1896 -1903, pages 236-237.
[iv] “Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” Part I –Reports, p. 779.
[v] “Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” Part I –Reports, p. 776.
[vi] “Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” Part I –Reports, p. 775.
[vii] Mosgrove, George Dallas. “Following Morgan’s Plume Through Indiana And Ohio.” Southern Historical Society papers. Vol. XXXV. Richmond, VA., January – December. 1907.
[viii] “Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” Part I –Reports, pages 778 -779.
[ix] Allen, Theodore F. “In Pursuit of John Morgan,” Sketches of War History 1861-1865, Papers prepared for the Commandery of the Sate of Ohio, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States 1896 -1903, p. 237.
[x] Diary of Charles W. Durling.
[xi] Diary of James B. McCreary.
[xii] The Diary of Captain Thomas M. Coombs.
[xiii] Mosgrove, George Dallas. “Following Morgan’s Plume Through Indiana And Ohio.” Southern Historical Society papers. Vol. XXXV. Richmond, VA., January – December. 1907.
[xiv] Duke, Basil W. “History of Morgan’s Cavalry,” 1867, pages 452.
[xv] Allen, Theodore F. “In Pursuit of John Morgan,” Sketches of War History 1861-1865, Papers prepared for the Commandery of the Sate of Ohio, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States 1896 -1903, pages 237-238.
[xvi] Journal of Curtis R. Burke.
[xvii] Diary of John Weatherred.
[xviii] Walsh, George. “”Those Damned Horse Soldiers” p. 195.

July 18, 1863: Going Home to Dixie

As Morgan’s men drew nearer the Ohio River, a change in attitude swept over the ranks. Hunger, exhaustion, and the anticipation of returning home mingled with the uneasy fears that the Union troops were still all too close and that the next bullet fired by a bushwhacker or Ohio militia member might not miss.

“Athens, [July 18, 1863.]

General Burnside:
I have obtained the following from the military committee:

We sent out yesterday at 4 p.m. 100 men with axes, under Lieutenant Long, Seventh Ohio Cavalry, with 50 scouts, to impede Morgan’s progress; also 250 armed men from our county to their support. We have had dispatches from our front this fore-noon, saying that Morgan was moving on line of road through Rutland to Pomeroy. Our forces expected that they would move to get on his front in case he moved to go up river. Colonel Gilmore’s forces moved from here this morning at 3 a. m. on the line of our force. Will have 50 mounted men here waiting our orders, and we are all the time at our headquarters, and will forward any dispatches you may wish to any point desired.

M. M. Greene,
Chairman Athens County Military Committee.”[i]

The morale of the Raiders had faded. Only the promise of returning to the South propelled them onward toward the river.

“There is a land where cotton grows,
A land where milk and honey flows,
I'm going home to Dixie; Yes; I am going home
I've got no time to tarry, I've got no time to stay,
'Tis a rocky road to travel, to Dixie far away.
I've got no time to tarry, I've got no time to stay,
'Tis a rocky road to travel, to Dixie far away.”[ii]

At every possible location, the Ohio militia had blocked the roads with fallen trees and destroyed bridges. Thus, the engineers among the Raiders, known as sappers and miners, found themselves in constant demand.

Saturday, July 18th, 1863. Weather pleasant. We fed our horses well and saddled up. We moved early passing through the little village of D. where we saw a company of sappers and miners from our command with axes and shovels. The planks had been removed from the floor of a little bridge in the village by some home guards and hid so we had to go some distance to get by. We rode lively till about twelve o’clock when we came to a place in the road that was blockaded with trees cut across the road which brought us to a halt.”

~Curtis R. Burke, 14th Kentucky Calvary, Co. B [iii]

Burnside was pushing harder than ever for Morgan’s capture. Constantly pestering his field commanders by telegraph, he obsessively “micromanaged.”

“Cincinnati, July 18, 1863.

Captain Barringer, Parkersburg:
Keep the boats on your side of the river, and let nothing pass below for the present. Send messenger to Conine, asking him to scour the country well, and urge the blockading of the roads from Big Hocking to Athens. Will telegraph Colonel Wallace.

A. E. Burnside,
Major-General.”[iv]

“July 18, 1863.

Commanding Officer or Operator at Hamden:
Send following dispatch to General Hobson by swift courier:
General Hobson:
Push your command to the utmost of its capacity. If you can overtake Morgan with half your force, I am satisfied you can whip him. Judah ought to have been in front of Morgan, but stopped at Centreville last night. Left there this morning at 5 in pursuit. Send message by this courier.

A. E. Burnside,
Major-General.
P. S. General Hobson no doubt passed through Jackson this morning.”[v]

“Cincinnati, July 18, 1863.

General Manson: Portsmouth:
Have any of your command gone up the river? Am I to understand that Judah was at Centreville last night with his whole force, and was to leave there this morning at 5? Did you leave any of your command with him? Telegraph all you know of the position of the enemy. It was reported at Pomeroy that he was at Rutland at 2 this morning.

A. E. Burnside,
Major-General.”[vi]

Union troops advanced on the Raiders from the west and south.

“Saturday, July 18 .
John said to be moving towards Gallipolis. Feed at Keystone furnace. Travel all night till broad day light and passed through Manchester, Vinton, Winchester, Rutland & Chester.”

~ Charles W. Durling, Company G, 45th Ohio Infantry[vii]

“Gallipolis, July 18, 1863.

General Burnside:
A part of Morgan’s forces camped 15 miles from here last night. He is supposed to be in neighborhood of Pomeroy. General Scammon, with a portion of his command, left here early this morning. Three gunboats above. Re-enforcements, infantry and artillery, en route from the Kanawha. I can hold this place. Hobson and Judah about 10 miles behind Morgan. He will likely be surrounded tomorrow, if line is closed between Hamden and Athens.
A. A. Hunter,
Captain, Commanding Post.

Pomeroy, July 18, 1863

Major-General Burnside:
I marched all night from Portsmouth, and continued to Centreville yesterday. Morgan’s Advance got to within 4 miles of me ignorantly, then fell back, and made for Keystone Furnace, Rutland, and Chester. I pushed on to this place, 30 miles, where I arrived two hours since. Hobson is on this side of Rutland. All information assures me that Morgan passed Chester some three hours since, for Buffington Island. So certain, that I sent word to Hobson to push on all that can keep up in track of enemy, via Chester. I move in less than one hour to Buffington, via Racine, my best road. Moving thus, Morgan is in a trap, from which he can’t escape. I think I will be able to telegraph you his defeat tomorrow morning, should he have taken the route I am almost certain he has. A prisoner, who has been with Morgan all day, and released and came on foot from Chester, tells me that Morgan thinks Hobson has given out and given up pursuit. He does not know my position. He thinks he can manage the gunboats with his 10-pounder pieces. Scammon has gone from here to Buffington. I have sent boat to Gallipolis for rations for Hobson and myself.

H. M. Judah,
Brigadier-General”[viii]


Gunboats and Union transports plied the Ohio River delivering troops and supplies.

“Parkersburg, July 18, 1863.

Major-General Burnside:
One of my messengers just in, and reports Morgan at Chester, 26 miles from here, and 5 miles from Pomeroy, at 4 p.m. Four hundred militia went down to Buffington, with artillery, yesterday. Lieutenant Conine is at Little Hocking Bridge, with 1,200 men. I have no steamboat; expecting one down hourly, from Pittsburg, drawing 30 inches, The ferry-boat, drawing 26 inches, is at Blennerhassett’s Island, helping off steamer Eagle, which draws 36 inches. Stores all in Parkersburg, on Virginia side. Can use floats, if necessary, to help artillery or men.

A. V. Barringer,
Captain, and Commissary of Subsistence.”[ix]

Yet, Morgan seemed almost cavalier and completely heedless to the difficulties laying before him. Alas, crossing the Ohio into West Virginia would prove to be a far more difficult matter than simply splashing across a shallow ford.

Early on the morning of July 18th, the Raiders regrouped at Pomeroy. The area swarmed with Union troops and local militia.

“In passing near Pomeroy, there was one continual fight, but, now not with the militia only, for some regular troops made their appearance and took part in the programme. Colonel Grigsby took the lead with the Sixth Kentucky, and dashed through at a gallop, halting when fired on, dismounting his men and dislodging the enemy, and again resuming his rapid march. Major Webber Brought up the rear of the division and held back the enemy, who closed eagerly upon our track.”

~ Brigadier-General Basil Duke[x]

“General John Hunt Morgan led a force of 2,000 Confederate cavalrymen into Meigs County on July 18, 1863, during a forty-six day raid north of the Ohio River. After a skirmish with the 23rd Ohio Infantry, the Confederates paused to drink and replenish their canteens with cool spring water found in Rocksprings. Nearby, Isaac Carleton, a Meigs County native, was shot and wounded by a Confederate soldier.”[xi]

Finding the Ohio River swollen by recent rainfall to the north, the Raiders discovered it would not be possible to cross the river, normally shallow at this time of year, without a ferry or boat. They were forced to keep moving down a narrow canyon with Union troops firing at them from both sides.

"Every bridge had been destroyed, and at every pass and ravine the road was blockaded and defended by troops in concealment. A large number of 'blockaders' were captured and compelled to clear away the obstructions that many of them had assisted in making. Poor fellows, they felt their time had come, so badly were they frightened. Oftentimes the boys would dismount, and go in pursuit of these bushwhackers and command them to halt, but on they ran....never stopping until the boys laid violent hands upon them, holding them fast by main force. Even then they would strive hard to get away, just as some wild animals would do."

~ Lieutenant Peddicord

“We were within a few miles of Pomeroy, O. on the Ohio River where we intended going. The blockade was in a place where the road run between hills, besides it was defended by a strong force of home guards and bushwhackers to prevent our clearing away the obstructions. While we were waiting orders a lot of us went to a large white house on our right and got as much milk, bread, preserves, molasses, honey, etc. as we could eat and took some to the balance of the boys. The people had run off from home. Where people stayed at home and behaved themselves we did not disturb the house, but where people run away from home we rated them as home guards or bushwhackers, and took everything in the way of something to eat in the house. We waited about an hour and finding that we would lose too much time in clearing out the obstructions we turned back nearly a mile and took a road to our tight. The road was in a bottom or valley following the course of a branch [creek]. As usual the dust flew in clouds. We did not go far before the advance guard was stopped by a volley from home guards on a high bluff of rocks in a fork in the road. A ridge on our left sheltered us. We dismounted to fight. The enemy’s firing sounded as if it was nearing the fence on top of the ridge. So we hurried up to get the fence first. On reaching the fence we were surprised to find a deep wide valley with the left fork of the road between us and the enemy. We were ordered not to waste our ammunition as they were too far off to do any execution. Their spent balls passed over us once in a while. We fired a shot a piece at them to get the old loads out and load fresh again. Co. C and D. with assistance of [Colonel Adam “Stovepipe”] Johnson’s regiment dismounted and took up the hill on the right and flanked the party at the bluff driving them off. The right hand fork of the road led to the river but it was strongly blockaded. I could see the black clouds of smoke rising from the gunboats and transports on the other side of the hills in front of us. I was surprised to find that we were so close to the river. We mounted our horses and took the left fork about five hundred yards and dismounted to fight again. We nearly reached the enemy’s old position on the bluff when we were ordered back to our horses, the firing had ceased and we moved on the road still following the course of the branch with high hills and ridges on either side. The road was of gravel and a very good one. The rumor was that we were going some distance up the river to cross into Virginia. I began to wish that Gen. Morgan would take us to the river so high up that the gunboats could not get at us. We were bothered a great deal by the bushwhackers firing on us from the hills. In several places I saw them walking leisurely along firing and loading. I heard of several persons being wounded by them. We came to a place where the bridge was destroyed. The planks were taken off and hid and the balance burnt. The branch on both sides of the bridge was filled with fallen trees. The water was two or three feet deep and not running. Our only chance was to fill the branch up and make a solid bridge. Our regiment was dismounted to help the sappers and miners. We carried logs, rails, rocks, and dirt, throwing them in the branch till the pile was well out of the water then took the planks of the old bridge and made a good floor on ours. We cut the bank a little and the bridge was completed to the satisfaction of Gen. Morgan who was present. We had worked like Turks making some citizens living near work also. We mounted and moved on. Every mile or so we would come to places where trees were cut across the road. The advance guard would sing out ‘Sappers and miners to the front! Pass it back!” The sappers and miners would pass us in a jump and go clearing the road. We would hardly stop but pick our way around the obstacle and dash ahead to the next blockade. Sometimes the sappers and miners would be called in front before finishing their last job. We made all the citizens we could catch help clear the road. In this way the command did not have to wait. At last we got ahead of the blockades and double quicked five miles to the town of Chester, Ohio. We halted in the street and dismounted to rest. We opened a store and found a lot of provisions cooked in boxes and baskets that had been cooked for home guards who were to collect to blockade the roads, but we made good use of all the good things. I got two hats, a few yards of cotton and calico, a new curry comb and brush, a hand full of nutmegs, and a few other little tricks. The command coming up, we mounted our horses and moved a square down the street and halted a few minutes. One of the boys went into a grocery and brought us out some hard cider. Then we rode hard till dusk when we halted and dismounted to fight. We were told we were within a half mile of the Ohio River. The advance guard went ahead. We received no orders to move forward so we laid around by our horses and all came near going to sleep.”

~Curtis R. Burke, 14th Kentucky Calvary, Co. B [xii]

By late evening, they reached Buffington Island. Morgan’s scouts informed him that it would be too dangerous to attempt a crossing in the darkness as the ford was guarded infantry who had entrenched themselves in an earthworks and installed artillery.

“The General and staff passed us. We mounted our horses and rode quietly down a lane and halted within a hundred yards of the river. We were ordered not to unsaddle or make any noise. We dismounted and sat or lay in the fence corners holding our horses. Everything was quiet except a shot now and then from the advance guard and a scout from the regiment who were after home guards. Three or four squads of prisoners passed us to the rear. A thick fog arose and the night grew very chilly.

~Curtis R. Burke, 14th Kentucky Calvary, Co. B [xiii]

Morgan postponed the crossing until morning, allowing his weary men to rest. His sympathy for the condition of his men exhausted would prove their undoing. Union gunboats were making their way toward Buffington Island.

“From the 9th until the 19th through Indiana and Ohio was almost a continual skirmish day & night with Soldiers, Home Guards, & Citizens. We marched very hard and fast, breaking down our horses and procuring fresh ones. On the night of the 18th of July we reached the Ohio River at Buffington Bar and found a wide, deep and unfordable river, rapidly rising. We could not cross in the Stygian Darkness by which we were surrounded, and sinking down upon its shores, exhausted nature found repose in sleep.”

~ Captain Thomas M. Coombs[xiv]

“Deciding to wait, Morgan ordered Warren Grigsby's 6th Kentucky, D. Howard Smith's 5th Kentucky, and Captain Byrne's battery to approach within four hundred yards of the earthwork. At the first light of dawn these units were to storm the Yankee defenders. In the meantime scouts moved out in both directions along the river, searching for other possible fords. One of these parties found a number of leaky flatboats about a mile and a half upstream, and as best they could in the darkness set about caulking the seams. Junior Officers and sergeants making a hasty check of ammunition supplies found that some men had no more than two or three rounds left. But no one worried too much about that; Virginia and safety lay across the ford.

Here and there musicians with guitars, banjos, and fiddles - confiscated from luckless Ohio merchants along the way - began playing sentimental tunes. In the darkness the musicians drew together, and a few of the boys came to listen. Soon they were singing and playing "My Old Kentucky Home," then "Juanita," and "The Hills of Tennessee." To show off his dexterity a fiddler played a fast version of "The Arkansas Traveler," and some of the listeners tried to dance a mock reel on the wet stubble of the wheat field in which they were camped.”[xv]

Morgan slept comfortably that night, secure in the belief that the greatest risks were behind him. He was confident that his scouts had, in pre-raid planning, determined optimal crossing points. So secure was he that no videttes were posted that night.

While the leadership refused to acknowledge it, the average Cavalryman knew the hour for escape was at hand.

“In passing near Pomeroy, Ohio on the 18th of July, we had to fight at every cross road and every joint where the Blue Boys could find a good position to fight us and they were regular, who had come up by boats to Pomeroy from Cincinnati and had come out on every road from Pomeroy to fight us. After passing this the road ran through a deep ravine for 4 or 5 miles. We were fired on from the hills about all the way through. About 1 p. m. we reached Chester where we stopped for about two hours. This stop brought us to the Village of Portland on the Banks of the Ohio; a short distant above Buffington Island about 8 p. m. and the night was very dark and we remained all night holding our horses by the bridle reigns. Sleeping and talking and saying to one another often we would wake up at intervals through the night. That if we stay here until morning we will be surrounded and many of us will be captured.”

~ John Weatherred, 9th Tennessee Cavalry [xvi]

“ I was detailed about midnight with nine others under Lieut. [K. F.] Peddicord to cross the river in a couple of skiffs, and hunt for boats to cross the command in. We went to the river and the fog was so thick that we could not see ten feet in front of us. We could not see how wide the river was or anything about it. We had a citizen with us but he did not give us any information that was satisfactory. We stumbled around there for awhile and the Lieut. Postponed the project till day light. We were chilled through. I could hardly have put a cap on my gun, and we were glad to return to our horses. The boys made a few small rail fires, but were soon ordered to put them out for fear that the Yanks would see them and send a gun boat up and shell us. We could hear the boats puffing away on the river below us. I laid three rails near a deadened fire and slept about ten minutes."

~Curtis R. Burke, 14th Kentucky Calvary, Co. B [xvii]


ENDNOTES
[i] “Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” Part I –Reports, p. 769.
[ii] Emmett, Daniel Decatur and Grafulla, C. S. "I'm Going Home to Dixie."
[iii] Journal of Curtis R. Burke.
[iv] “Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” Part I –Reports, p. 769.
[v]“ Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” Part I –Reports, p. 770.
[vi]“ Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” Part I –Reports, p. 771.
[vii] Diary of Charles W. Durling.
[viii] “Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” Part I –Reports, p. 770.
[ix] “ Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” Part I –Reports, p. 769.
[x] Duke, Basil W. “History of Morgan’s Cavalry,” 1867, pages 445-446.
[xi] Marker #6-53: Morgan's Raid Route, Ohio Historical Society.
[xii] Journal of Curtis R. Burke.
[xiii] Journal of Curtis R. Burke.
[xiv] The Diary of Captain Thomas M. Combs.
[xv]“ Morgan, the Hope of the West: Jackson to Buffington Island” http://www.civilwarhistory.com/Morgan/mogam.htm
[xvi] The Wartime Diary of John Weatherred.
[xvii] Journal of Curtis R. Burke.

Morgan’s Path Across Ohio

*Warning: An excerpt from period writing quoted in today’s posting contains derogatory racial remarks. These remarks in no way reflect the views and beliefs of the blogger. Parental and/or teacher discretion advised. Frank and open discussions regarding racism strongly recommended.

“Relieved of the depressing suspense incident to the march around Cincinnati, and having enjoyed a night’s rest at Williamsburg, the invaders resumed their merry ways. Looking toward the bordering little hills beyond the river they began to sing ‘The Old Kentucky Home.’ Among them were many musicians, white and colored. Somewhere, en route, they had ‘confiscated’ two violins, a guitar and a banjo. The sentimental guitarist was softly singing ‘Juanita,’ when he was interrupted by a rollicking fiddler who played ‘The Hills of Tennessee.’ Simultaneously another gay violinist broke one of the three strings in an attempt to play ‘The Arkansas Traveler’ and then inconsiderately threw away the fiddle and the bow. A homesick little darky took possession of the banjo and sang: ‘All up and down the whole creation, Sadly I roam, Still longing for the old plantation, And for the old folks at home.’ Bugle sounds interrupted the inharmonic musicale, and soon the cavaliers were in their saddles, bound for the ford at Buffington Island.”

~ George Dallas Mosgrove, 4th Kentucky Cavalry[i]

The Union troops were rapidly gaining ground and closing on the rear of Morgan’s main column.

“Wednesday, July 15
After Johnny again. Country very fine. Pass through Batavia.”

~ Charles W. Durling, Company G, 45th Ohio Infantry[ii]

“We were now at home in Southern Ohio, and many of the troopers of our regiment passed their own doorsteps, stopping only long enough to kiss the members of their families. The Second Lieutenant of my company picked up two of his children on the road-side, they having run to meet him from their home near by.”

~ Captain Theodore F. Allen, 7th Ohio Calvary [iii]

Burnside increased the number of troops pursuing Morgan. Union forces closed on Morgan from the west and southwest.

“Two Miles East Of Williamsburg, July 15, 1863

Major-General Burnside:
Morgan has gone in the direction of Hillsborough. He possibly designs crossing at Portsmouth. I am pushing on as fast as my stock and men can travel. If I had fresh cavalry to pursue with, or could get him intercepted, there would be some hope of capturing or dispersing his forces. It is difficult to procure fresh horses, as his advantages are superior to mine, and give him the benefit of all good horses on the route. Colonel Sanders reported to me this morning with 250 men. I have been expecting, from the tone of your dispatch yesterday, to have re-enforcements of 2,500 cavalry from the city, but have not heard anything of them. I will do the best I can.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. H. Hobson,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.”[iv]

“Portsmouth, July 15, 1863 – 5:30 p.m.
(Via Maysville, July 16 – 12:35 a. m)

Major General Burnside:
The enemy reached Jasper about 2 p.m. today. He will make for Jacksonville or Oak Hill, on the Scioto or Hocking Railroad. With the lights before me, I have determined to move to Oak Hill. If anything occurs to change my determination, I will advise you of it. I have requested Captain Fitch to move immediately, with the gunboats, to Pomeroy and Gallipolis. I sent up boats to Colonel White, directing him to ship cavalry and a little infantry, and send up, under convoy of the gunboats, to Gallipolis or Pomeroy, as may be directed.

H. M. Judah,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.”[v]

“Maysville, July 15, 1863 – 7:30 a.m.

Lieutenant-Colonel Richmond:
Arrived here this morning with most of forces. Our steamer Melnott, with cavalry, not up. Cannot get any definite information of the enemy. Magnolia gone up river. Will wait further orders.

Mahlon D. Manson,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.”[vi]

In the midst of this troop buildup, Governor Morton, a Republican whose political views differed from General Burnsides’, demanded that his Indiana militia be sent home at once. Knowing that a few marginally equipped and generally untrained men were not worth a political battle in the press, Burnside complied.

“Cincinnati, July 15, 1863 – 6:45 p.m.

General Willcox, Indianapolis:
Let the militia of Indian be disbanded at once, and allowed to go to their homes, if it is in accordance with the wishes of Governor Morton. I am satisfied that their services will no longer be needed in this emergency, and their interests at home need looking after.

A. E. Burnside,
Major-General.”[vii]

The people of Ohio, including the Democrat Governor David Tod, were much more supportive of Burnside and the Union Troops.

“Cincinnati, July 15, 1863

Governor Tod, Columbus:
The chairman of military committee of Highland County says they need two thousand arms, with ammunition, for militia already organized in that vicinity. We have issued all we have. Can you send them? They should have them immediately, if possible. Morgan is closely followed by a heavy force. I have ordered roads obstructed with trees, and planking of bridges removed in his front, so as to enable our troops to overtake him. The militia along the line of the Marietta road should have first supply of arms and ammunition after Highland, so that if he turns north, he may find them prepared. The militia assembling at Gallipolis are directed to remain there till future orders.

J. D. Cox,
Brigadier-General.

Cincinnati, July 15, 1863

J. G. Dameron, Mayor of Gallipolis:
The militia of Gallipolis may remain in that vicinity. If Morgan should be heard of as positively moving in that direction, they must be used to fell timber into the roads and remove planking of bridges, so as to delay him till our troops can overtake him. Show this to the militia commanders as authority. We do not think Morgan will get across the Scioto; but if he does, the directions above should be spread everywhere and carried out by the militia and people.

J. D. Cox,
Brigadier-General, Commanding" [viii]

Even Lieutenant-Colonel Neff of Camp Dennison, which had just weathered Morgan’s attack, sent emergency rations to the beleaguered General Hobson.

“Camp Dennison, July 15, 1863

General Burnside:
General Hobson has sent me word that he has no subsistence for his men, and that Morgan has left none on his route. I am preparing a train, to send him 10,000 rations.

Geo. W. Neff,
Lieutenant-Colonel and Military Commander.

Camp Dennison, July 15, 1863

General Burnside:
Messenger just in. Left General Hobson at Batavia at noon. Advance was in Williamsburg, about 5 miles beyond Georgetown, going in direction of Mayville or Ripley.

Geo. W. Neff,
Lieutenant-Colonel .”[ix]

Knowing General Hobson’s forces were close behind him, John Hunt Morgan split his men into two groups after they had past safety through Williamsburg, Ohio. Morgan’s brother, Col. Richard Morgan, was placed in command of the group which would ride South through Bethel, Georgetown, and Ripley.

The command went straight on. I learned that our regiment was going on a scout to Georgetown, Ohio. We traveled steady and lively keeping a good lookout for bushwhackers.”

~Curtis R. Burke, 14th Kentucky Calvary, Co. B[x]

At Ripley, scouts reported that it would be impossible to cross the Ohio River due to the heavy concentration of Ohio militiamen.

“It happened sometimes at night, when we came to diverging roads, we would be at a loss to know which road to take. As it was midsummer and exceedingly hot and dry, Morgan’s two thousand troopers could not avoid leaving a broad trail of dust. At diverging roads all we had to do was to scout the roads for a short distance till we found the heavy trail of dust which had settled upon the weeds and bushes of the roadside, but generally the country people were present in large numbers, ready and willing to guide us.”

~ Captain Theodore F. Allen, Seventh Ohio Cavalry [xi]

Meanwhile, John Hunt Morgan led his group toward Buffington Island, believing they could cross the Ohio River there. Normally, in the area of Buffington Island, the river ebbed to a shallow two foot dept in heat of July. This level would be too shallow for Union gunboats to navigate but not too deep to cross on horseback. However, this year, due to heavy rains upstream, the Ohio River was flowing so deeply it was impossible to cross at Buffington Island without swimming or using a boat.

"2 a. m. -A dispatch from Hamilton says: It is believed that the main portion of Morgan's force is moving in that direction going east. At this writing, quarter past two, a. m., it is the impression that Morgan's main force is going east, while he has sent squads to burn bridges on the C. H. & D. railroad and over the Miami River, but, he may turn and come down this way on some of the roads leading through Walnut Hills or Mt. Auburn. That night while the much enduring printers were putting such stories in type, John Morgan's entire command, now reduced to a strength of bare 2,000 was marching through the suburbs of this city of a quarter million inhabitants, within reach of troops enough to eat them up absolutely unopposed, almost without meeting a solitary picket or receiving a hostile shot." [xii]

The newspapers continued to cover Morgan’s every move.

“MORGAN’S GREAT RAID –HIS MOVEMENTS IN OHIO- Camp Dennison, Near Cincinnati, Threatened.
Cincinnati, Tuesday July 14
Morgan’s rebel forces crossed the Big Miami at Venice last night and burned the bridge behind them. They passed through Burlington and Springdale and crossed the Hamilton and Dayton Railroad at Glendale this morning, moving toward Camp Dennison. It is not known how much damage the rebels have done at Glendale or to the Hamilton and Dayton Railroad. Telegraphic communication is still open with Hamilton. Morgan’s men are reported to be jaded with their rapid march, and will have to rest soon. Six of Morgan’s men were captured at Milford, Clermont County, on Sunday night, and four more at New Boston.
Cincinnati, Tuesday July 14 – 9 o’clock A. M.
Morgan’s rebel forces reached Miamiville on the Little Miami road this morning, tore up the track, and fired into the accommodation train coming west. The train put quickly back to Loveland.”

~ The New York Times [xiii]

Morgan’s main column passed through Piketon, Jackson, and Vinton.

“July 15. Today we traveled through several unimportant towns, destroyed one bridge, and Bivouacked at Walnut Grove.”

~ Lt. Col. James B. McCreary, 11th Kentucky Cavalry CSA[xiv]

The scouting party passed through Georgetown then traveled along the Scioto River.

“I noticed by the show bills that was pasted on blacksmith shops that a circus was but a few days ahead of us. About dust we fell in line and moved on. After riding two hours we took the wrong road and had to turn back half a mile. Then went down a long rough steep road and came to the Sciota [sic] river and rode along its bank in a deep sandy beach almost in a keen jump. It was very dark and several of the boy’s horses stumbled over stumps and logs throwing them on the sand. We soon got to Jacksville, [Jackson? Jacksonville?]Ohio where we found the command camped near the river.

~ Curtis R. Burke, 14th Kentucky Calvary, Co. B[xv]

Manson, moving northward from Maysville, took note of the Confederate scouting party moving eastward from Georgetown.

“Maysville, July 15, 1863

General Burnside:
Morgan’s line extends from near Georgetown to Eckmansville; he was, at 7 o’clock, moving toward Locust Grove. It will be very difficult to get a courier to Sardinia, as I would have to pass through his lines, but I can try. I have heard nothing from Judah.

Mahlon D. Manson,
Brigadier-General.

Maysville, July 15, 1863

Lieutenant-Colonel Richmond:
Part of Morgan’s force came within 5 miles of Riley at noon, from thence to Russellville and Winchester. His advance is at West Union, and he is in force at North Liberty, 7 miles north of West Union. This information is considered reliable. I am patrolling the river from Riley to Manchester. I think I can prevent his crossing. Have heard nothing from you today.

Mahlon D. Manson,
Brigadier-General.”[xvi]

“Maysville, July 15, 1863 – 12:50 p.m.

Colonel Richmond:
Have received information the rebels camped 24 miles from Ripley, and moved this morning at 7 o’clock in direction of that place. Last heard from them within a mile of Ripley. I will move down and ascertain whether they design crossing at that place, but I shall also watch the road from Decatur to Maysville. They are reported over 4,000 strong.

Mahlon D. Manson,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.”[xvii]

As Morgan and his “terrible men” moved across Ohio, Northern sentiment was swelling against them. Every literary tool from poetry to public speech sought to vilify his name.

"I'm sent to warn the neighbors, He isn't a mile behind;
He sweeps up all the horses, every horse that he can find;
Morgan, Morgan the raider, and Morgan's terrible men;
With bowie knives and pistols, are galloping up the glen..."[xviii]

“Even the women frowned, their voluble speech being uncomplimentary. Neither in Indiana nor in Ohio did Morgan’s ‘Rough Riders’ see any ‘bright smiles to haunt them still.’”[xix]

“I think Morgan's raid has done more good than harm, as it has aroused the people out of their lethargy and tended to unite the people."

~ J. Eberle West, St. Clairsville, Belmont County, Ohio[xx]

ENDNOTES

[i] Mosgrove, George Dallas. “Following Morgan’s Plume Through Indiana and Ohio,” Southern Historical Society Papers. Vol. XXXV. Richmond, VA., January – December. 1907.
[ii] Diary of Charles W. Durling.
[iii] Allen, Theodore F. “In Pursuit of John Morgan,” Sketches of War History 1861-1865, Papers prepared for the Commandery of the Sate of Ohio, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States 1896 -1903, p. 233.
[iv] “Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” Part I –Reports, p.752.
[v] “Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” Part I –Reports, pages 752 – 753.
[vi] “Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” Part I –Reports, p.753.
[vii] “Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” Part I –Reports, p.755.
[viii] “Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” Part I –Reports, p.755.
[ix] “Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” Part I –Reports, p.754.
[x] Journal of Curtis R. Burke.
[xi] Allen, Theodore F. “In Pursuit of John Morgan,” Sketches of War History 1861-1865, Papers prepared for the Commandery of the Sate of Ohio, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States 1896 -1903, p. 226.
[xii] Reid, Whitelaw. "Ohio in the War: Her Statesmen, Her Generals, and Soldiers" Vol. 1, 1868, page 140.
[xiii] The New York Times, July 15, 1863.
[xiv] Diary of James B. McCreary.
[xv] Journal of Curtis R. Burke.
[xvi] “Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” Part I –Reports, p.753.
[xvii] “Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” Part I –Reports, p.754.
[xviii] Woolson, Constance Fenimore .“Kentucky Belle.”
[xix] Mosgrove, George Dallas. “Following Morgan’s Plume Through Indiana and Ohio,” Southern Historical Society Papers. Vol. XXXV. Richmond, VA., January – December. 1907.
[xx] West, J. Eberle. "Morgan's Raid," Indiana Magazine of History 20, no. 1, March 1924, p.92-96.