Portland in Meigs County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Marietta Militia and Redoubt Site

Photographed by Darryl R Smith

1. Marietta Militia and Redoubt Site Marker

Inscription.
(side 1)
The Marletta Militia was organized by Col. William R. Putnam Jr., July 15, 1863, at Camp Marietta in Marietta, Ohio. Led by Capt. David L. Wood, 18th U.S. Infantry, this Union force contained 150 Infantrymen (Co. A, 129th Ohio Infantry, Capt. F.H. Stedman, and Putnam's Company, Capt. I.P. Putnam); 50 cavalrymen (Volunteer Mounted Company, Capt. W.J. Bloomfield; and 50 artillerymen (Nye's Marietta 2-Gun Battery - two iron cannons from Nye's foundry in Harmar, Ohio - Lt. A.T. Nye Jr.). Arrived here at James Williamson's orchard on evening of July 17-18, 1863. Encamped with orders to guard Buffington lsland's Lower Ford, located 130 yds SSE of here. Built earthen redoubt fortification at this site. (continued on other side) (side 2) (continued from other side) Cavalry picketed roads to Portland, watching for Confederate general John H. Morgan's 1,930-man cavalry division. About 8 p.m. July 18, Morgan's scouts found Wood's militia blocking entrance to the ford. Despite capturing some of Wood's pickets, the intrenched militia, nightfall, and flooding of Ohio River convinced Morgan to postpone division's fording

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until morning. At midnight, Union general Eliakim Scammon ordered Marietta militia to abandon their redoubt. They rolled their cannons over the riverbank here and embarked on steamboat Starlight to Ravenswood, West Virginia, undetected by the enemy. Contributed decisive delay to Morgan's raid, allowing pursuing Union forces to defeat Morgan's men in battle on morning of July 19. Escorted prisoners to Cincinnati. Returned to Marietta July 24.

Erected 2026 by Civil War Roundtable Mid-Ohio Valley.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 15, 1863.

Location. 38° 59.675′ N, 81° 46.489′ W. Marker is in Portland, Ohio, in Meigs County. It is on Ohio River Scenic Byway (Ohio Route 124) 0.3 miles south of Portland Road (County Route 69), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Portland OH 45770, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the

Photographed by Darryl R Smith

2. Marietta Militia and Redoubt Site Marker

Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Major Daniel McCook (a few steps from this marker); Grand Army of the Republic Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Dry Run (a few steps from this marker); First Ohio Invasion (approx. half a mile away); The Battle of Buffington Island (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named The Battle of Buffington Island (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Battle of Buffington Island (approx. half a mile away); Buffington Island (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portland.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2026, by Darryl R Smith of Cincinnati, Ohio. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 10, 2026, by Darryl R Smith of Cincinnati, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.