Bridgeport Marker

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Bridgeport in Harrison County, West Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Bridgeport
A Target of the Raid
— Jones-Imboden Raid —

Bridgeport Marker Photo, Click for full size

By Don Morfe, August 1, 2012

1. Bridgeport Marker

Inscription. (Preface): On April 20, 1863, Confederate Gens. William E. “Grumble” Jones and John D. Imboden began a raid from Virginia through present-day West Virginia against the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Taking separate routes, they later reported that they marched 1,100 miles, fought several engagements, captured 100 Federals, seized about 1,200 horses and 4,000 cattle, and burned 4 turnpike bridges, more than 20 railroad bridges, 2 trains, and 150,000 barrels of oil. Most bridges were soon repaired. Confederate losses were slight. By May 26, both commands had returned to Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

During the Jones-Imboden Raid of April 1863, Confederate Gen. William E. “Grumble” Jones moved toward Clarksburg from the north after attacking Fairmount while Gen John D. Imboden approached the town from the east. When Jones approached Clarksburg, he found that the Union forces had erected strong fortifications around the town. After determining that the garrison was too strong to attack, Jones’s cavalrymen raided the surrounding area, seizing a large number of horses and cattle that were sent back to the Shenandoah Valley. On April 30, a detachment of the 1st Maryland Cavalry Battalion (CSA) under Capt. Frank A. Bond, who was later wounded and captured during the retreat from Gettysburg,

By Don Morfe, August 1, 2012

2. Bridgeport Marker

attacked Bridgeport. Lt Timothy Blaine, Co. E, 3rd West Virginia Cavalry (US), with 85 cavalrymen and 20 civilians from Clarksburg attacked Jones’s men at the West Fork River Ford seven miles north of here. The Confederates drove through to Bridgeport and captured 47 Federal soldiers with their arms and a few horses, then burned a railroad bridge and tore up track. A boxcar full of government carpenters’ tools was also burned, and a locomotive was run off the tracks and into Simpson Creek where the Federals had burned the bridge to deny its use to the Confederates. The Union soldiers were paroled and Jones’s Confederate raiders moved on to Philippi.

Erected by West Virginia Civil War Trails.

Marker series. This marker is included in the West Virginia Civil War Trails marker series.

Location. 39° 17.04′ N, 80° 15.522′ W. Marker is in Bridgeport, West Virginia, in Harrison County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Water Avenue and Virginia Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bridgeport WV 26330, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. John Powers' Fort (approx. 0.2 miles away); Simpson Creek Covered Bridge (approx. 2 miles away); Northwest Academy (approx. 4.2 miles away); Stonewall Jackson Birthplace (approx. 4.4 miles away); Clarksburg Defenses (approx. 4.4 miles away); B & O Depot (approx. 9.9 miles away); David Morgan (1721–1813) / Patriot, Defender (approx. 14.8 miles away); Confederate Cemetery (approx. 15 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Bridgeport.

By Don Morfe, August 1, 2012

3. Bridgeport Marker

Credits. This page originally submitted on August 24, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Md 21234. This page has been viewed 70 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on August 24, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Md 21234. 2. submitted on September 1, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Md 21234. 3. submitted on September 10, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Md 21234. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.