Near Sherman in Jackson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Battle of Buffington Island

Battle of Bluffington Island Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 28, 2018

1. Battle of Bluffington Island Marker

Inscription. As General John H. Morgan’s raid into Indiana and Ohio came to a close, he tried to cross the Ohio River into WV. Reaching the Buffington Island ford late on July 18, 1863, he waited until the 19th to cross. Union troops and gunboats blocked his escape and splintered his men, leading to the capture of over 700 Confederates. The battle was the only naval action in WV waters.

Erected 2016 by West Virginia Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 18, 1863.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 38° 59.293′ N, 81° 45.795′ W. Marker was near Sherman, West Virginia, in Jackson County. It was on West Virginia Route 68 south of Little Sandy-Median Road (County Route 8), on the left when traveling south. The marker stands at the Sherman Community Roadside Park just south of the post office. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 3210 Ravenswood Rd, Ravenswood WV 26164, United States of America.

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Regionally, this marker was in West Virginia’s Mid-Ohio Valley. It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Major Daniel McCook (approx. ¾ mile away in Ohio); Grand Army of the Republic Memorial (approx. ¾ mile away in Ohio); Dry Run (approx. ¾ mile away in Ohio); Old Portland Road (approx. 0.9 miles away in Ohio); First Ohio Invasion (approx. 1.1 miles away in Ohio); a different marker also named The Battle of Buffington Island (approx. 1.1 miles away in Ohio); a different marker also named The Battle of Buffington Island (approx. 1.1 miles away in Ohio); a different marker also named The Battle of Buffington Island (approx. 1.1 miles away in Ohio).

Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 28, 2018

2. Battle of Bluffington Island Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 628 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on July 21, 2025, by Darryl R Smith of Cincinnati, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 7, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.