Visit Buffington Island, Ohio’s Only Civil War Battlefield
Buffington Island Battlefield Memorial Park is located in rural southeast Ohio. The park is only 4 acres big, but what it lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in historical significance.
The park protects a portion of the only significant Civil War battle in Ohio. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
A Brief History of the Buffington Island Battle
The battle was a part of the famed “Morgan’s Raid,” which covered 1,000 miles from Tennessee to Ohio from June 11 to July 26, 1863, led by Confederate General John H. Morgan. The raid aimed to draw Union troops away from the Vicksburg Campaign and the Gettysburg Campaigns, which were happening simultaneously. The attack initially had a few successes but ultimately failed, resulting in General Morgan’s capture on July 26, 1883.
The Battle of Buffington Island was fought on a foggy morning, July 19, 1863, between Confederate General John H. Morgan and Union forces under the command of Generals Henry N. Judah and Edward H. Hobson. The surrounding area still looks much like it did during the battle. The battle would be a decisive Union victory, with many Confederates captured and those that escaped on the run.
Other historical facts
The battle was small on the grand scale of Civil War battles but featured some interesting historical facts. Major Daniel McCook, the patriarch of the legendary fighting McCook family, was mortally wounded early in the Battle of Buffington Island.
The Fighting McCooks were members of an Ohio family. Two brothers, Daniel and John McCook, and thirteen of their sons were involved in the army. This makes them one of the most prolific families in American military history. Many of the McCooks rose through the ranks of the Union army during the Civil War, six of them to the rank of brigadier general or higher.
Another cool tidbit of history. Two future United States presidents took part in the battle. BOTH Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley, the 19th and 25th presidents, respectively, fought at the battle.
Another thing to check out while visiting the battlefield is the Buffington Island Mound. The Native American burial mound is 20 feet high and has a 125 diameter at its base. Its cultural affiliation has yet to be discovered for sure. Still, it is believed to have been constructed by the Adena Culture circa 800 BC AD 100.
During your visit, make sure to pack a picnic and relax. There are plenty of tables and some fire pits to make snacks.
