Near Vernon in Jennings County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Morgan is Forced to Turn Back,
First and Only Time in Indiana
— John Hunt Morgan Heritage Trail —
Early Saturday morning, July 11, General Morgan and his raiders followed the roads northward from Lexington toward Vernon. At Vernon, Morgan demanded the surrender of the town, but was rebuffed. The Home Guard commander responded that the town was swarming with troops, and that it was Morgan who should capitulate. No agreement was reached and a message was sent to Morgan asking for a two-hour delay - time needed for the women and children to be removed. During the lull, additional Federal troops arrived in North Vernon, raising the total to approximately 2,000. Morgan, already aware of the pursuing Union cavalry, learned of the reinforcements to the north and realized he was in a precarious situation.
As darkness fell, Morgan retreated toward Dupont, to the southeast. General Lew Wallace and 1,300 men arrived in North Vernon at 9 p.m. Wallace set up headquarters in a red brick house (still standing) at the southwest corner of Vernon Square. The incident at Vernon would represent the only time that Morgan was stopped and turned back in Indiana.
As Morgan fell back toward Dupont, an incident occurred in Vernon to become known at the "Battle of Finney's Ford". In the dark of the night, nervous northern defenders lined the Muscatatuck River, when suddenly they heard loud splashing noises. Assuming the clatter was created by Morgan's Raiders, the defenders bolted to action, only to lose their way and fall over the bluffs. Several were injured before it was learned the noise was the result of a local farmer herding his animals across the shallow river; and the the "Battle of Finney's Ford".
Erected by Historic Hoosier Hills RC&D. (Marker Number 15.)
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 11, 1863.
Location. 38° 58.75′ N, 85° 36.35′ W. Marker is near Vernon, Indiana, in Jennings County. Marker is on State Road 3, 0.1 miles south of State Road 7, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: North Vernon IN 47265, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Jennings County Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Jonathan Jennings (approx. 0.4 miles away); Morgan's Raid (approx. 0.4 miles away); New Survey Markers Set (approx. 0.4 miles away); Vernon Historic District (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Morgan's Raid (approx. 0.4 miles away); Muscatatuck Park (approx. one mile away); Walnut Grove One-room School 1913 (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vernon.
Also see . . .
1. John Hunt Morgan. American Battlefield Trust website entry (Submitted on November 19, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
2. Lewis “Lew” Wallace. American Battlefield Trust website entry (Submitted on November 19, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 798 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 19, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 2. submitted on November 27, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 3, 4. submitted on November 6, 2023, by Kyle Luers of Greensburg, IN. 5, 6. submitted on November 19, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.