A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF BUFFINGTON ISLAND

Almost three weeks after embarking on his three-state raid, Morgan and his troopers found themselves hotly pursued by Federal cavalry under Generals Hobson and Judah. After crossing through southern Ohio in a week's time Morgan had generated panic throughout the state. County treasurers and bank presidents in Morgan's path sent their assets to the state capitol under armed guard for protection. The countryside was on alert and the militia was mustered by the thousands.

Morgan knew about a ford on the Ohio River near Buffington Island, at the Great Bend. All sources indicated that this is where he was heading. Telegraphy between the field commanders and General Burnside's headquarters in Cincinnati clearly show that this is also the point upon which the Union forces were heading to cut off the advance of the Rebels. 24 hours before the fact, the Federals knew that there would be a battle at Buffington Island.

Morgan's men had a hard day on July 18th. They were harassed by militia for the better part of the day and literally ran a gauntlet of fire. By evening they reached the town of Portland, near the ford. Scouts indicated that a force of infantry and artillery were behind prepared works, however it was too dark to get a true idea of the actual strength and composition of these forces. This was the only time during the entire raid that Morgan showed any sign of caution. He camped his exhausted troopers for the night, setting out pickets. Had Morgan taken time to carefully reconnoiter and probe the position before him, he would have found that it was defended only by a couple of hundred home guard who could have been easily swept away. As it was, they melted away during the night, but they had done their job and prevented the Confederates from crossing the Ohio. Soon it would be too late.

Early in the morning on July 19, close to 6:00 a.m., General Judah and his advance party ran headlong into the Confederate pickets. In the ensuing engagement this groups was almost captured and Judah was lucky to escape unscathed. Major Daniel McCook, however was not so lucky. McCook, a Union paymaster, and patriarch of the "Fifteen Fighting McCooks" of Ohio was riding with Judah, and was mortally wounded.

The fighting continued, and during that time Hobson's column joined the fight. More important, though, was the arrival of Federal gunboats, which kept most of Morgan's troops from crossing the Ohio. Buffington Island was one of only a handful of battles during the Civil War, which employed men from all branches of service.