Wilkesville in Vinton County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Morgan's Raid in Vinton County
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 18, 2009
1. Morgan's Raid in Vinton County Marker
During the summer of 1863, General John Hunt Morgan, a Confederate cavalry leader from Kentucky, invaded southern Ohio with 2,460 mounted men. Throughout the campaign Morgan's men plundered and looted before being captured by Union forces. On July 17, Morgan led his troops into Wilkesville stealing horses, sacking stores, and robbing private citizens. That night Morgan and some of his troops took lodging and meals with his first cousin Ruth Virginia Althar Cline and her husband Dr. William Cline. Morgan's troops camped near the house of John and Eliza Levis where Eliza cooked for the men for fear they would harm her family. Additional soldiers of the raiding party stayed on the village square. Legend has it that while Morgan slept at the Cline Mansion, his black servant stole his looted money, and abolitionists Dr. Cline and Abraham Morris, helped him escape to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
Erected 2002 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, Village of Wilkesville Council, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 3-82.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Civil. In addition,
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Location. 39° 4.545′ N, 82° 19.659′ W. Marker is in Wilkesville, Ohio, in Vinton County. Marker is on Main Street (Ohio Route 124), on the left when traveling east. Marker is in the town park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wilkesville OH 45695, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Henry Duc and the Defenders of Our Country (within shouting distance of this marker); Wilkesville (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ewington Academy (approx. 4.8 miles away); Bridge Loft / Charging House (approx. 6.9 miles away); Charcoal (approx. 7 miles away); Raw Materials (approx. 7 miles away); Limestone (approx. 7.1 miles away); Stock Shed (approx. 7.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilkesville.
Also see . . . Morgan's Raid. (Submitted on February 21, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 18, 2009
2. Morgan's Raid in Vinton County Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,129 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 21, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
