GENERAL JOHN HUNT MORGAN'S HERITAGE TRAIL #23
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MORGAN'S RAIDERS ENTER OHIO AND BURN THE BRIDGE BEHIND THEM.
The Impact on Ohio
More than 200 northern lives were lost in the two week period of Morgan's Raid of Ohio with at least 350 casualties.
4,375 people in twenty-nine counties filed claims for damages and were awarded $428,168. The Union forces were also charged with damages totaling $141,855, the militia being held accountable for $6,202. Upwards of 2,5000 horses were commandeered and collected by Morgan. There were 49,357 militia men called to duty costing the state $450,000. The cost to the state was more than $100,000.
The biggest impact on Ohio at the time was the realization that they were truly unprepared for the war to be in their own "backyard". They had felt secure by the distance from the south and had not put much effort into preparations for defense. The fact that Morgan was able to almost traverse the whole state, from Harrison in the west to West Point in the east (only about 10 miles from Virginia (WV) and Pennsylvania, with little or no resistance is testimony to this fact.
In West Point, Ohio, there stands a stone monument to the events of July 1863. It was erected in 1909 by Will L. Thompson of East Liverpool. It states:
"This stone marks the spot where the Confederate raider General John H. Morgan surrendered his command to Major General George W. Rue, July 26, 1863, and this is the farthest point north ever reached by any body of Confederate troops during the Civil War."
The events in Ohio day-by-day.
The Events of Morgan's Raid through Ohio July 12, 1863- July 26, 1863
Date:
Events
Military Involved
Sunday July 12, 1863
Anticipating Morgan's attack on Cincinnati General Ambrose E. Burnside declares martial law in the city and Governor Tod calls out the militia.
Monday July 13, 1863
Morgan is sighted near Harrison in Hamilton County and passes through Glendale north of Cincinnati in the night.
Tuesday July 14, 1863
At dawn he rests the horses in sight of Camp Dennison, he skirmishes there and was in Williamsburg by 4pm that afternoon. Camp Dennison---Ohio Militia
Wednesday July 15, 1863
After dividing for some pillaging the forces converge at Locust Grove.
Thursday July 16, 1863
Morgan reaches the Scioto River and ransacks Jasper and Piketon.
Friday July 17, 1863
Morgan and his raiders enter Jackson after riding 45 miles during the night. He clashes several times with Ohio forces. Berlin---Ohio Militia
Hamden---Ohio Militia
Centerville---9th Michigan Cavalry
Saturday July 18, 1863
At 1pm he arrives at Chester on the Ohio River near Pomeroy and runs into a skirmish there. Pomeroy---23rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry
Sunday July 19, 1863
Whilst attempting to cross the Ohio at Bluffington Island he is ambushed by the combined Judah-Hobson forces in the rear and 2 gunboats to the front.
Buffington Island---14th Illinois Cavalry, Henshaw's (Illinois) Independent Light Infantry, 5th Indiana Cavalry, Kentucky 1st, 3rd,8th,11th & 12th Cavalries, Ohio 2nd & 7th Cavalries, 45th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 2nd Mounted Tennessee (Federal) Infantry, Ohio Militia & 2 Federal Gunboats.
Monday July 20, 1863
Skirmishes as he tries to flee and find another crossing of the river.
Hockingport---23rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry
Coal Hill---45th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
Cheshire---65th Indiana Infantry
Tuesday July 21, 1863
Morgan and his men ride all day and are becoming extremely weary.
Wednesday July 22, 1863
Their horses are falling in exhaustion and the men are falling from their horses asleep. The Infantry is waiting at Eaglesport. Eaglesport--- 86th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
Thursday July 23, 1863
They crossed the Muskingham River in darkness. Rockville--- Ohio Militia
Friday July 24, 1863
Morgan and his raiders reach Campbell Station east of Cambridge on the National Rd. and run into skirmishes throughout the day. Morgan doubles-back toward Antrim, rests a couple of hours before heading east toward the river where he has to fight again Old Washington---Ohio Militia
Hendrysburg---Ohio Militia
New Athens---Ohio Militia
Saturday July 25, 1863
Clashes in Wintersville with the military, the citizens in New Springfield and spend the night in Bergholz. Wintersville---44th Pennsylvania Militia
New Springfield---Citizens
Sunday July 26, 1863 Routed by his pursuers they flee north to Salineville. By 8 am they are overtaken with 30 killed, 50 wounded and 200 taken prisoner. Morgan escapes but surrenders 6 hours later in a field near West Point, Columbiana County. Salineville---9th Michigan Cavalry
West Point--- 15th Indiana Independent Battery of Light Infantry, Kentucky 1st, 9th, 11th & 12th Cavalries, 8th Michigan Cavalry.
Morgan surrenders after 24 days in the saddle, riding and fighting through Indiana and Ohio.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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