Where in Ohio is Janice?: November 2008

Buffington Island
Portland, Ohio

Buffington Island is the site of the only Civil War battle in Ohio. Today it is a park with markers to commemorate the event that took place July 19, 1863. The park is very small compared to the acreage that contained the battle. After raids on Ohio towns, over 2000 Confederate cavalry troops were pursued by the Union army to this site.

Most of the Confederates were captured and relegated to serving the rest of the war in prison camps.

This trip was a pilgrimage of sorts for me because of my family history. Two of my ancestors, a great-grandfather and a great-great-grandfather, were involved in this battle.

To make it interesting one is from my mother’s family, and the other is from my father’s family. To make it even more interesting one is Confederate and one is Union. Who knows if they actually came in contact with one another, but luckily one did not shoot the other – otherwise I might not be around today!

Joseph Benjamin Ward was an 18 year-old private in the 12th Kentucky Cavalry for the Union Army. He survived the war and was discharged August 1865.

James Thomas Yount served under General John Hunt Morgan in the 8th Kentucky Calvary, Co. C., as a private. He was captured July 19, 1863 at Buffington Island and spent the rest of the war interred at Camp Douglas near Chicago, Illinois. I have included the only images I have of these men – photographs taken many years after the Civil War.

July 19, 1863 is the date of the battle, but it began July 2 with General John Hunt Morgan’s raid into Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio and continued until July 26 when the remaining soldiers were captured. The Confederates frequently did raids into Union territory to terrorize the citizens and disrupt Union troop movements. For this raid Morgan’s Raiders may have stayed too long in the northern territory and were trapped at Buffington Island.

Due to high water at the Ohio River, the cavalry was stranded on the Ohio side and unable to cross the river and escape back to the South. Capturing Morgan’s Raiders was a blow to the Confederacy, and the capture of General Morgan was a plus for the Union.

A monument to Daniel McCook is on the site. Daniel McCook, aged 65, died as a result of wounds from the battle. He is the father of the “Fighting McCooks” who served as generals in the Union army during the Civil War. The McCook home in Carrollton, OH is also an Ohio Historical Society site.

The park contains an Indian Burial Mound. There are stepping-stones so people can walk up to the top. I am not used to being allowed to do that as most mounds have signs indicating stay off. Going to the top of the mound gives a better view of the area.

The park is in Portland, Ohio, consisting of a few buildings. Cornfields surround the park itself.

When planning your trip, the directions on the OHS site are not as clear. Use Mapquest go to Portland, Ohio, and the site is in the town on OH-124, the scenic route along the Ohio River.

The park makes a nice picnic location. Because of the autumn foliage and falling leaves, it was a beautiful 70-degree day when I visited. I had brought my picnic and enjoyed the quiet while I ate. It may seem that this was a long trip for a picnic, but I enjoyed the opportunity to experience some history that involved my ancestors.

Upcoming Exhibits and Events –
Groups are usually at the site on July 19 for memorial services. If interested in visiting Buffington Island the time to go would be on the anniversary of the battle.

Age Appropriateness –
Young Children – medium
School Age Children –medium
Teens – medium
Adults – medium
Senior Friendly – medium

Physical vs. Mental –
This site will not challenge physically or mentally.

Time to Allow for Visit –
Reading the monuments can take 15 minutes so bring a picnic and enjoy the facilities.