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

Battle of Buffington Island

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 9, 2017

1. The 4 plaques on the Battle of Buffington Island monument.

Inscription.

Battle of Buffington Island. . (Front side): , On and near this spot, July 19, 1863, occurred what is known as the Battle of Buffington Island between the forces of Gen. John H. Morgan, Confederate leader, who was attempting to cross the river near the middle of the island - a short distance south of this monument - and the pursuing Union forces under Brig. Gens. Henry M. Judah and Edward H. Hobson, who intercepted the Confederates and prevented the main force from crossing at this ford. Union Gunboats materially assisted in the encounter., The engagement was brief but spirited and extended up and down the valley for a considerable distance. A small group of Confederates reached the southern bank of the river and escaped., About seven hundred, including a number of officers, were captured, but General Morgan the remainder of his men were forced to flee up the Ohio side of the river until finally captured near New Lisbon, Ohio, on July 26, 1863., (Left side): , The ground on which this monument stands was donated to the State of Ohio by Mrs. Norma Calkins Peoples of Pomeroy, O., granddaughter of Charles and Sarah Price, owners of this land at the time of the battle, for a state park to perpetuate the memory of the United States troops and the Ohio volunteers who fought and fell in the Battle of Buffington Island. Erected for the State of Ohio by the Ohio State Historical Society, 1931., (Back side): , Major Daniel McCook , Paymaster United States Army, eldest of the "Fighting McCooks," lost his life at the age of 65, in the Battle of Buffington Island. He fell, mortally wounded, at a point about one mile south of this monument, and died the next day on a gunboat bound for Cincinnati, where he was buried in Spring Grove Cemetery., (Right side): , This tablet commemorates the Moundbuilders of the Ohio Valley whose presence in this region is attested by the nearby burial mounds. . This historical marker was erected in 1931 by Ohio State Historical Society. It is in Portland in Meigs County Ohio

(Front side):
On and near this spot, July 19, 1863, occurred what is known as the Battle of Buffington Island between the forces of Gen. John H. Morgan, Confederate leader, who was attempting to cross the river near the middle of the island - a short distance south of this monument - and the pursuing Union forces under Brig. Gens. Henry M. Judah and Edward H. Hobson, who intercepted the Confederates and prevented the main force from crossing at this ford. Union Gunboats materially assisted in the encounter.

The engagement was brief but spirited and extended up and down the valley for a considerable distance. A small group of Confederates reached the southern bank of the river and escaped.

About seven hundred, including a number of officers, were captured, but General Morgan the remainder of his men were forced to flee up the Ohio side of the river until finally captured near New Lisbon, Ohio, on July 26, 1863.

(Left side):
The ground on which this monument stands was donated to the State of Ohio by Mrs. Norma Calkins Peoples of Pomeroy, O., granddaughter of Charles and Sarah Price, owners

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of this land at the time of the battle, for a state park to perpetuate the memory of the United States troops and the Ohio volunteers who fought and fell in the Battle of Buffington Island. Erected for the State of Ohio by the Ohio State Historical Society, 1931.

(Back side):
Major Daniel McCook
Paymaster United States Army, eldest of the "Fighting McCooks," lost his life at the age of 65, in the Battle of Buffington Island. He fell, mortally wounded, at a point about one mile south of this monument, and died the next day on a gunboat bound for Cincinnati, where he was buried in Spring Grove Cemetery.

(Right side):
This tablet commemorates the Moundbuilders of the Ohio Valley whose presence in this region is attested by the nearby burial mounds.

Erected 1931 by Ohio State Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1822.

Location. 39° 0.137′ N, 81° 46.503′ W. Marker is in Portland, Ohio, in Meigs County. Marker is on Ohio Route 124, 0.1 miles south of Local Highway 153, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 56944 Ohio 124, Portland OH 45770, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. In Grateful Remembrance (within shouting distance of this marker); Path of Destruction and Damage

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

Photographed By Jamie Abel, circa 2000

2. Battle of Buffington Island Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Battle of Buffington Island (within shouting distance of this marker); Attack from the West (within shouting distance of this marker); Surprise Encounter (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Buffington Island (about 300 feet away); Escape from the Ohio Penitentiary (about 300 feet away); Capture in Columbiana County (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portland.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on the Battle of Buffington Island (aka the St. Georges Creek Skirmish). (Submitted on September 15, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Battle of Buffington Island Monument with plaques restored and battlefield park. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 9, 2017

3. Battle of Buffington Island Monument with plaques restored and battlefield park.

Battle of Buffington Island park entrance. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 9, 2017

4. Battle of Buffington Island park entrance.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2017. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2010, by Jamie Abel of Westerville, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,042 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 15, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 2. submitted on September 16, 2010, by Jamie Abel of Westerville, Ohio. 3, 4. submitted on September 15, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.

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