Buffington Island | July 19, 1863

In July 1863, as the Confederacy was reeling from losses at Vicksburg and Gettysburg, General John Hunt Morgan and his men made their way to Buffington Island where he hoped to cross back over the river and get out of Ohio unscathed. On the very ground we are trying to save, General Morgan encountered 3,000 Union artillery, infantry, and cavalry accompanied by U.S. Navy gunboats. The fighting ended with 700 Confederates surrendering and others captured, wounded, or killed. General Morgan escaped but surrendered eight days later.