Old Washington in Guernsey County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Old Washington
Rebel Respite Cut Short
— John Hunt Morgan Heritage Trail —
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, February 11, 2016
1. Old Washington Marker
At mid-morning on Friday, July 24, 1863, Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan and fewer than 600 Confederate raiders approached Washington (now Old Washington) from the south.
The billowing smoke rising from nearby Campbell's Station had alerted residents of the Confederates' approach. In alarm, they removed money from the Guernsey County Bank and sent it to Wheeling. While the fear-gripped citizens took refuge in their cellars and behind locked doors, a local Presbyterian minister, William Ferguson, stood at these crossroads, waving a white handkerchief. Begging the raiders to spare the community, Ferguson was assured by Morgan that his men required only food and fresh horses.
Morgan and several officers entered the American Hotel and compelled the owner, James Smith, to provide a hot meal. The men collapsed, exhausted, in the hotel bedrooms. Many of the raiders spread out through town, looking for food or a bed, some even sleeping in the streets. One group emptied the Lawrence Store of a variety of goods.
Brigadier General James M. Shackelford and his Union cavalry arrived on the cemetery hill just south of town and began firing on Morgan's guards as the sun reached high noon. Morgan's raiders quickly mounted their tired horses and fled north toward Winterset and east along the National Road. Morgan
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Erected 2013 by the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Ohio History Connection, and the Ohio Civil War Trail Commission. (Marker Number 42.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the John Hunt Morgan Heritage Trail in Ohio series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 24, 1863.
Location. 40° 2.247′ N, 81° 26.709′ W. Marker is in Old Washington, Ohio, in Guernsey County. Marker is at the intersection of Old Mill Road and Morgan Way (Highway 40), on the right when traveling west on Old Mill Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Old Washington OH 43768, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Morgan’s Raid in Old Washington (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Bodies of Three Confederate Cavalrymen (about 400 feet away); Morgan’s Raiders (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Old Washington (approx. ¼ mile away); Eisenhower Interstate System (approx. 2.7 miles away); Peacock Road (approx. 3.1 miles away); Lore City Honor Roll (approx. 3.7 miles away); Lore City (approx. 3.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Old Washington.
Regarding Old Washington.
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, February 11, 2016
2. Old Washington Marker
photo 1
Most residents of Washington hid from the approaching Confederates. Only Reverend William Ferguson was brave enough to receive the raiders and ask for mercy.
Most residents of Washington hid from the approaching Confederates. Only Reverend William Ferguson was brave enough to receive the raiders and ask for mercy.
Also see . . . Take our Morgan’s Raid driving tour. Southeast Ohio website entry (Submitted on July 4, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, February 11, 2016
3. Old Washington Marker
photo 2
The most urgent needs of Morgan and his men were food and rest. Still, some could not resist the opportunity to search through the goods in the Lawrence Store for things worth plundering.
photo 3
After only a few hours of rest, Confederate Brigadier General Morgan and his men were startled by warning shots from their posted guards. Rifle fire from General Shackelford's Union troops, positioned along Cemetery Hill south of town, began to rain down upon them. Immediately, the raiders leapt to their tired horses and escaped. Eight raiders were captured during the skirmishes, and three of their comrades were wounded and died within a few hours. Their final resting place is marked in the cemetery on this hill.
The most urgent needs of Morgan and his men were food and rest. Still, some could not resist the opportunity to search through the goods in the Lawrence Store for things worth plundering.
photo 3
After only a few hours of rest, Confederate Brigadier General Morgan and his men were startled by warning shots from their posted guards. Rifle fire from General Shackelford's Union troops, positioned along Cemetery Hill south of town, began to rain down upon them. Immediately, the raiders leapt to their tired horses and escaped. Eight raiders were captured during the skirmishes, and three of their comrades were wounded and died within a few hours. Their final resting place is marked in the cemetery on this hill.
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, February 11, 2016
4. Morgan's Raid Map
Engaged in a raid to divert Union forces away from the rebel army in Tennessee, Confederate Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan and about 2,000 cavalrymen entered Ohio near Cincinnati on July 13, 1863. In less than two weeks, they rode across southern Ohio, encountering and fighting off home guardsmen and militia units, as well as regular Union forces. Major General Ambrose Burnside, commander of the Department of the Ohio, directed the Union pursuit.
The Confederate raiders lived off the land and coerced food from local residents, gathering fresh amounts wherever possible. By the time they reached Old Washington, the raiders were hungry, sore and sleep deprived. Union forces were quickly catching up to Morgan and his weary men.
The Confederate raiders lived off the land and coerced food from local residents, gathering fresh amounts wherever possible. By the time they reached Old Washington, the raiders were hungry, sore and sleep deprived. Union forces were quickly catching up to Morgan and his weary men.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, Unknown
5. Morgan’s Raid: Epic Civil War Story Takes Place in Guernsey County.
Gurnsey County Historical Society website entry
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, February 11, 2016
6. Old Washington Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2016, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 858 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 11, 2016, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on February 12, 2016, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on August 20, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 6. submitted on February 11, 2016, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
