New Alsace in Dearborn County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Raiders Steal the Priest’s Horses

John Hunt Morgan Heritage Trail

Photographed By Tom Bosse, October 14, 2016

1. Raider's Steal the Priest's Horses Marker

Inscription. General Morgan and his raiders struck New Alsace on Monday, July 13, 1863. Here at St. Paul Church, Father Roman Weinzapfel was celebrating Mass at 8:30 a.m. when the Raiders stole his horses. Today, the church appears much as it did in 1863. Across the street are two building which were taverns at the time of Morgan's Great Raid.

The Blettner Tavern (now Klump's) was used as Morgan's headquarters, and the Gephard Tavern (now the first house east of Klump's) was where Morgan slept for four hours. In 1863 there were 14 taverns in New Alsace to accommodate the many travelers on this major route from Cincinnati.

Approximately 1,000 feet west of the church is the site of the Yaeger store, which was ransacked by the the Raiders. The widowed Margaretha Yaeger had lost her only son at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in April 1863.

Pursuing Union horsemen entered New Alsace two hours after Morgan's rearguard had departed.

Erected by Historic Hoosier Hills RC&D. (Marker Number 21.)

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 Indiana series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 13, 1863.

Location. 39° 14.048′ N, 84° 59.945′

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W. Marker is in New Alsace, Indiana, in Dearborn County. Marker is at the intersection of North Dearborn Road and Kildeer Lane, on the left when traveling east on North Dearborn Road. Marker in front of St. Paul Catholic Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9788 N Dearborn Rd, Guilford IN 47022, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. General John Morgan (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Saint John Lutheran Church (approx. 2.7 miles away); Dover (approx. 2.8 miles away); a different marker also named General John Morgan (approx. 2.8 miles away); St. John The Baptist Church (approx. 2.8 miles away); Exhausted Morgan Troops (approx. 5½ miles away); a different marker also named General John Morgan (approx. 5.7 miles away); East Fork Stone Chapel (approx. 6 miles away).

Also see . . . Fr Roman Weinzapfel. (Submitted on November 29, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

The Gephard Tavern image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tom Bosse, October 14, 2016

2. The Gephard Tavern

Photographed By Tom Bosse, April 14, 2017

3. Raider's Steal the Priest's Horses Marker

The Blettner Tavern image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tom Bosse, October 14, 2016

4. The Blettner Tavern

St. Paul Catholic Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tom Bosse, October 14, 2016

5. St. Paul Catholic Church

Photographed By Tom Bosse, October 14, 2016

6. St. Paul Catholic Church

Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 906 times since then and 154 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 29, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 3. submitted on April 15, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 29, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.