There is a 2 cd set available that compliments this trip with
narration, eye-witness accounts and sound effects available at
http://www.hhhills.org/jhmht/.
We have a copy disguised as a travel bug #
TBEF42. This bug's idea of a good time is to make the
complete trek as many times as possible ending up back home at the
InKy Geo Social
held each third tuesday of the month.
As Historic Hoosier Hills people say, "Before starting this unique
experience, be aware that much of the 185 mile heritage trail
passes over narrow, low speed road. Many of the back roads are
gravel and vision will be limited at times. There are only a few
places to eat, use rest rooms, or buy gas on this trail."
We found road construction caused a couple of interesting detours
to get back on the trail. Also somewhere along the trail is a creek
bed to cross. They say it is sometimes dry. We found it to have
about 2 feet of water. Any more than that and I would have
seriously considered another self imposed detour. I would rate this
particular crossing at the time we went through as "Jeep". Use your
best judgment.
On
Tuesday, July 7, 1863, the first units of General Morgan's
cavalry command arrived at Brandenburg, Kentucky. Their
mission was to capture boats to be used for ferrying Morgan's
two thousand men across the 800 - 100 yard wide Ohio
River into Indiana. Promptly, two steamboats were captured,
the J.T. McCombs, a mail boat, and the Alice Dean, a passenger
boat.
In the early morning of the 8th, Morgan arrived at Brandenburg with
the main body of his command. Just as the ferrying operation got
underway, artillery shells fired by the Indiana Home Guard were
finding a mark on the Kentucky shore. Morgan ordered two regiments
to board the captured steamers and quickly Proceed across the Ohio.
The first Raiders stepped onto Indiana soil at Morvin's Landing.
Others followed as the sporadic exchange of cannon fire ceased,
with little damage being done. Union gunboats approached the scene
but were driven back by Morgan's artillery fire. By midnight, all
of Morgan's men and horses were across. The Alice Dean was set
afire, but the J.T. McCombs was left unharmed because the boat's
captain ws a friend of one of Morgan's officers.
The pursuing 4,000 Union troops of General Edward Hobson completed
the crossing of the Ohio River 26 hours behind Morgan, at 2 a.m. on
July 10.
July 7,1863
General,
At this point, you are 26 hours behind the rebel forces. More
Information is available at these coordinates.