Historical Markers and War Memorials in Meigs County
Pomeroy is the county seat for Meigs County
Adjacent to Meigs County, Ohio
Athens County(74) ► Gallia County(53) ► Vinton County(25) ► Jackson County, West Virginia(26) ► Mason County, West Virginia(96) ► Wood County, West Virginia(114) ►
Touch name on this list to highlight map location. Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
The original site of church and cemetery was 1.5 acres donated in 1821 by Solomon Townsend. The present site includes grants of 2.61 acres by William Howard Townsend in 1898, and of 2.4 acres by Augustus Dailey Townsend in 1944. — — Map (db m247557) HM
Confederate Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan and his raiders arrived in Chester
around 1 pm on July 18, 1863, after a grueling ride across Meigs County. Knowing that Union forces were close behind, Morgan expected an attack at any moment. . . . — — Map (db m108280) HM
Chester Academy
Built 1840
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior — — Map (db m209397) HM
Chester Courthouse
Built 1823
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior — — Map (db m209396) HM
Side A: Morgan's Raid Route
General John Hunt Morgan of Kentucky led a force of Confederate calvarymen into Meigs County during a forty-six-day raid north of the Ohio River. The advance forces burned Benjamin Knight's carding mill and . . . — — Map (db m30456) HM
This garden is a living tribute to all of America's veterans and their families. In silence and respect, this is a place to remember why millions of Americans have fought and died for our liberty and our freedom.
Here we renew our promise to . . . — — Map (db m214469) WM
On July 18, 1863, Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan and his Confederate raiders rode through Bashan on their way to Buffington Island. At the Old Bashan Church crossroads, they encountered a funeral party. Morgan stopped his column and, out of . . . — — Map (db m122833) HM
On Sunday morning, July 19, 1863, Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan led
the remainder of his tired and weary Confederate raiders out of the whirlwind
of Buffington Island. Colonel Basil Duke stayed behind with a small force to delay
the . . . — — Map (db m108290) HM
General John Hunt Morgan led 2,000 Confederate cavalrymen into Meigs County on July 18, 1863, during a 45-day raid north of the Ohio
River. In pursuit, Union forces under Gen.
James M. Shackelford and Col. Frank L. Wolford
deployed near Bashan . . . — — Map (db m122828) HM
While exploring the lands of "the Ohio Country" in 1770, George Washington reached this point on October 28 and encamped over night. The impressions gained on this trip influenced his entire later life. — — Map (db m222790) HM
General James V. Hartinger, 1925-2000, was born in Middleport, Ohio, and graduated from Middleport High School in 1943. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1949 and was a career-long fighter pilot with the United . . . — — Map (db m28498) HM
Major John B. Downing was born in Rutland in February 1834, son of Rodney and Marian Black Downing. Educated at Marietta College, he spent 27 years as a pilot and boat owner on the Mississippi River, operating between St. Louis and New Orleans. . . . — — Map (db m28508) HM
Rear Admiral Arthur Clark served two tours as in-country military advisor to South Vietnam military and with USMAV and was one of the last to leave in 1973. He went on to serve in many leadership roles which transformed the U.S. Navy and . . . — — Map (db m28510) HM
Middleport native William Outerbridge (1906-1986) initiated the first shots of American involvement in World War II at 6:37 a.m. prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Outerbridge was commander of the destroyer USS Ward, . . . — — Map (db m28507) HM
Side A: The Ohio River
The Ohio River begins at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and flows 981 miles to join the Mississippi River at Cairo, Illinois. The Iroquois called the river "Oyo" or . . . — — Map (db m28497) HM
Edward A. Bennett, PFC, Co. B., 358th. Inf. Regt., 90th Inf. Div. Honored for bravery during combat in Germany, Feb., 1945. Award presented by President Truman in October. Bennett retired from service with the rank of Major on Feb. 1, 1965. He was . . . — — Map (db m224695) HM
George Sumner Huntington was born on April 9, 1850, in East Hampton, Long Island, New York. His father and grandfather had both been medical practitioners, and George followed them into the medical profession, graduating from Columbia University . . . — — Map (db m224526) HM
James Edwin Campbell was born on September 28, 1867, in the Kerr's Run area of Pomeroy to James and Letha Campbell. He graduated from Pomeroy High School with the class of 1884. After graduation, Campbell taught in various parts of Meigs County. . . . — — Map (db m28478) HM
Educated children from first to eighth grade, including James Edwin Campbell and James McHenry Jones, first and third presidents of what is now West Virginia State University. These children, through incredible odds, became some of the first . . . — — Map (db m178588) HM
In memory of the
Soldiers of Meigs County
1861 - 1866
Their country asked their lives,
Their lives they gave
[Honor Roll of County Veterans] — — Map (db m28964) HM
General John Hunt Morgan led a force of 2,000 Confederate cavalrymen
into Meigs County during a raid north of the Ohio River. More
than 500,000 Union troops and militia pursued Morgan across
Ohio. Colonel Basil Duke wrote that while passing near . . . — — Map (db m122850) HM
General John Hunt Morgan led a force of
2,000 Confederate cavalrymen into Meigs
County on July 18, 1863, during a forty-six day
raid north of the Ohio River. After a skirmish
with the 23rd Ohio Infantry, the Confederates
paused to drink and . . . — — Map (db m108185) HM
Side A: Morgan's Raid Route
Pursuers converge at Pomeroy
As Morgan's Raiders rode eastward across southern Ohio during the third week of July 1863, the scattered defensive forces pursuing him consolidated and drew closer. Four regiments . . . — — Map (db m28480) HM
After riding through a gauntlet of Union troops in Salisbury Township, Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan and his Confederate raiders desperately needed time to reorganize and rest. The fight had taken a toll on their physical reserves and cost . . . — — Map (db m108189) HM
Upon approaching the road to Pomeroy just before noon on July 18, 1863, Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan and his Confederate raiders faced a major challenge. Colonel Adam Johnson's detachment, which had been sent south to investigate a river . . . — — Map (db m108278) HM
The Three Sycamore Trees
were planted on the Ohio River bank by George Nye shortly after the close of WWI, as a memorial for the first three soldiers from Meigs County killed in WWI.
Pvt McKinley (Kinney) Thompson of . . . — — Map (db m178591) HM WM
He built in Pomeroy in 1836, the world's first towboat, the Condor. Member the 34th, 35th, and 37th Congresses of the U.S. Member of President Lincoln's peace conference in 1860 [sic - 1861]. President of the board that established the Ohio . . . — — Map (db m28481) HM
Since it was formed in 1819, Meigs County was fostered by its location on 57 miles of the Ohio River, named by the Indians"Oyo," meaning beautiful river. Pomeroy, the county seat, was named for Samuel Wyllys Pomeroy, an early landholder. His . . . — — Map (db m28500) HM
Closing the Net
Frustrated by multiple failed attempts to overtake
Morgan in Kentucky, Major General Ambrose Burnside
dispatched Union Brigadier General Edward Hobson
and 2,500 Union soldiers on July 6 with specific
orders to intercept . . . — — Map (db m108368) HM
(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 . . . — — Map (db m35822) HM
After thirty-eight days of raiding for supplies,
damaging bridges and rail lines, and drawing
the pursuit of Union troops, Morgan's men arrived
here on the evening of July 18, 1863. His objective
was to reach the Buffington Island ford . . . — — Map (db m108335) HM
End of the Longest Raid
Under fire from three directions, Morgan and
his troops scrambled for cover by following the
River Road upriver in hopes that they could cross
at another ford. Confederate Colonel Basil Duke
brought up the rear . . . — — Map (db m108395) HM
A Naval River Blockade
As darkness and dense fog set in on July 18,
Morgan's men stopped to rest in the fields near
Portland. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Commander Leroy
Fitch and his tinclad U.S.S. Moose headed upstream
from Pomeroy . . . — — Map (db m108398) HM
On the morning of July 19, 1863, Confederate Brigadier General
John Hunt Morgan learned that the Union redoubt guarding
the ford had been abandoned in the night. Colonel Basil Duke
was ordered to send a force south to try to preserve the . . . — — Map (db m108315) HM
Was it an Inside Job?
Entering the prison gates, the captured Confederate
officers were immediately stripped, washed, shaved,
and taken to their section of the prison. The men
were treated much like the other inmates rather
than . . . — — Map (db m108372) HM
Brigadier General Albert G. Jenkins of Virginia, with 350 Confederate cavalrymen, crossed the Ohio River near this point on September 3, 1862 and advanced to Racine. After occupying the town for a few hours and after seizing a dozen horses, the . . . — — Map (db m143872) HM
Public-spirited Meigs countians whose names are perpetuated below, through their generosity made possible the acquisition of a 1.5 acre tract which is incorporated within this public State Park. The prehistoric Indian Mound, standing on the area so . . . — — Map (db m108400) HM
About one thousand feet southwest of this monument, Major Daniel McCook of the famous "Fighting McCooks" fell mortally wounded in the Battle of Buffington Island, July 19, 1863. — — Map (db m108227) HM
The Battle Site Then and Now
The Battle of Buffington Island did not take place
on the island in the Ohio River. Rather, Confederate
and Union troops fought in this area. Much of
the battlefield has not changed and continues
to be used . . . — — Map (db m108396) HM
While Confederate Colonel Basil Duke attempted to
stop the Union advance up the Ohio River Valley from
the south early on July 19, 1863, Brigadier General
John Hunt Morgan still thought that the path to the
Buffington Island ford was clear. . . . — — Map (db m108291) HM
Confederate Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan had
been searching for a place like Buffington Island — a ford
where he could lead his 1,900-man raider force back onto
friendly soil — since crossing into Ohio. This ford, which . . . — — Map (db m108311) HM
Claims Against the Rebels
Morgan's prime objective was striking
fear in the civilian population. Along
the route of the raid, Morgan's men
took horses and provisions, destroyed
property, and pillaged items from
homes and businesses. . . . — — Map (db m108367) HM
Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan and about 1,900 Confederate raiders
arrived in the Ohio River Valley near Portland late in the evening of July 18, 1863.
He established his headquarters in the Middleswart House, which stood on the
rise directly . . . — — Map (db m108295) HM
Union Troops Withdraw
In the early morning of July 19, Union Brigadier
General Henry Judah's forces, dispatched the day
before from Pomeroy, surprised both themselves
and the raiders by virtually running right into
Confederates hidden . . . — — Map (db m108361) HM
Dedicated to the Men and Women of the Portland community who braved the atrocities of the Battle of Buffington Island fought in the Portland bottom lands on July 19, 1863, and to the generosity of these people in feeding and caring for the wounded . . . — — Map (db m35741) HM
(Side A):
Department of the Ohio - Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside
Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Division XXIII Corps - Brig. Gen. Henry M. Judah
5th Indiana Cavalry (2 companies) (Lt. John O'Neil)
11th Kentucky Cavalry (Maj. Milton Graham) . . . — — Map (db m35744) HM
Born at Oak Grove, prospected in the California
goldfields in 1849. During the Civil War he
raised a militia company at Racine, and was
later promoted Captain of Co. K. 18th O.V.I.
After the war, he served on the Racine Village
council, Sheriff . . . — — Map (db m122848) HM
In honor of the veterans
who dutifully served our country
Dedicated 26 May 1997
Dedicated to the honor
and sacrifice of the
men and women who served
our country in
World War I
World War II
The Korean War
The Vietnam War . . . — — Map (db m28738) HM
An influential American journalist of the late nineteenth century, Ambrose
Bierce (1842 c. 1914) was born in Meigs County and reared in Kosciusko
County, Indiana. He fought in the Union Army during the Civil War,
a formative experience related in . . . — — Map (db m122825) HM
Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan arrived at the Ohio River
crossing at Reedsville late on July 19, 1863, with the 1,100
Confederate raiders remaining after the battle at Buffington
Island. The raiders could plainly see West Virginia — . . . — — Map (db m108288) HM
After the Battle of Buffington Island, Brigadier General John Hunt
Morgan and his remaining Confederate force of about 800 raiders
turned inland from the Ohio River to escape the navy's gunboats
and avoid pursuit. Union Brigadier General James M. . . . — — Map (db m108283) HM
Situated in an agriculturally rich area, county fairs have long been a significant tradition and event in Meigs County. The Meigs County Agricultural Society held its first fair on October 22, 1851, in Middleport and its second at the Rock-Spring . . . — — Map (db m28495) HM
Surgeon and songwriter Brewster Higley VI was born in Rutland in 1823, the grandson of Brewster Higley IV, a veteran of the American Revolution and founder of Rutland. Higley began studying medicine at age 18 and opened his first practice in . . . — — Map (db m30463) HM
General John Hunt Morgan led a force of 2,000 Confederate
cavalrymen into Meigs County during a raid north of the
Ohio River. More than 50,000 Union troops and militia
had been in pursuit of Morgan across Ohio. Near this site
on July 18. 1863, . . . — — Map (db m122882) HM
In 1830, President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act. It ended the century long treaty relation that had defined Anglo-American, Cherokee relations. The debates that preceded the removal legislation set off fierce debates.
Public . . . — — Map (db m39497) HM
As they trudged westward, the parties that left Blythe's Ferry in the early fall of 1838 endured lingering health problems from diseases, such as diarrhea, dysentery, measles, and whooping cough, which began during their long stay in stockades. . . . — — Map (db m39538) HM
The Cherokee people made their homes in the river valleys that spread out of the southern Appalachian Mountains. They claimed a domain that stretched across present-day North and South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama. They also claimed hunting . . . — — Map (db m39494) HM
In addition to losing their land to the American government, many Cherokees fell prey to robbers and thieves who operated near the camps and along the roads leading west.
"We are now about to take our final leave and kind . . . — — Map (db m39532) HM
In hopes of avoiding bloodshed, American military leaders made one final appeal to the Cherokee people. It contained both promises of protection and threats of doom. The President, as well as Congress, have decreed that you should remove from . . . — — Map (db m39499) HM
During the 18th century, Cherokees worked hard to defend their homeland from invasion by Anglo-Americans. The nature of Cherokee politics - dispersed and locally defined - often hampered unified resistance to the invaders. In 1809, the Cherokee . . . — — Map (db m39495) HM
Although American legislation declared an end to Cherokee sovereignty, most of those remaining in the Nation continued to resist. In December 1835, however, a small party of Cherokee signed the Treaty of New Echota. The agreement promised that the . . . — — Map (db m39498) HM
Cherokees! The President of the United States has sent me with a powerful army, to cause you, in obedience to the treaty of 1835, to join that part of your people who have already established in prosperity on the other side of the Mississippi. . . . — — Map (db m39491) HM
Moving the thousand's of people and about 5,000 horses and 500 wagons across the Tennessee River at Blythe's Ferry proved slow. Some crossings took as long as three days. "I reached Blythe's ferry on Sunday evening last, and found the great body . . . — — Map (db m39536) HM
Beginning on May 26, 1838, soldiers began rounding up Cherokee women, men, and children. They showed little concern or respect for families or their property. In the first days, confusion abounded as soldiers and militiamen gathered individuals . . . — — Map (db m39530) HM
In the spring of 1838, American military forces evicted the Cherokee Nation from its homeland. Nearly 16,000 women, men, and children - including nearly five hundred Muskogee Creek Indians, and slaves belonging to Cherokee owners -- were forced from . . . — — Map (db m39492) HM
"The Trail of Tears was a tragedy for a progressive and independent people whose population was markedly decreased as a result of the hardships associated with lengthy confinements and a lengthy arduous journey. The forced Removal left an . . . — — Map (db m39540) HM
The detachments approached Walden's Ridge within days of leaving Blythe's Ferry. The climb up the mountain proved difficult. Supplying food to both people and animals became a major problem. Particular hardship accompanied the climb up Walden's . . . — — Map (db m39537) HM
Both the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the Treaty of New Echota aimed to accomplish removal through voluntary emigration. Such efforts largely failed and by 1838 only about 2,000 Cherokee affected by the treaty had moved west. For those remaining, . . . — — Map (db m39493) HM
Both the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the Treaty of New Echota aimed to accomplish removal through voluntary emigration. Such efforts largely failed and by 1838 only about 2,000 Cherokee affected by the treaty had moved west. For those remaining, . . . — — Map (db m39529) HM
One of the worst acts of "man's inhumanity" took place when an entire race of peoples were driven from their lands in 1838. It was here at Blythe Ferry that approx. 9000 Cherokees and Creeks camped while waiting to cross the Tennessee River on their . . . — — Map (db m39469) HM
Around 1809, William Blythe, a Cherokee, established a ferry at this site to provide transportation for the settlers to the west and the Cherokees to the east. During the 1838 Trail of Tears, it was an important crossing, and it played a military . . . — — Map (db m62612) HM
Around 1809, William Blythe, a Cherokee, established a ferry at this site to provide transportation for the settlers to the west and the Cherokees to the east. During the 1838 Trail of Tears, it was an important crossing, and it played a military . . . — — Map (db m39468) HM
Nine detachments ranging in size from 729 to 1,766 individuals began crossing the Tennessee River at Blythe's Ferry in October, 1838. Cherokee leaders, called conductors, Hair Conrad, Elijah Hicks, Reverend Jesse Bushyhead, Situwakee, Captain Old . . . — — Map (db m82269) HM
Throughout the spring and summer of 1838 Principal Chief John Ross and a group of Cherokee delegates negotiated with the United States War Department to take control of conducting the parties west. Just as the first groups departed under United . . . — — Map (db m82270) HM
By the beginning of the 19th century, many Cherokee had adopted many white ways of living. They built American type farms, wore American style clothes, developed American style systems of government and began buying African slaves to work on . . . — — Map (db m82271) HM
General Winfield Scott followed John Wool (1836-1837) and William Lindsay (1837-1838) as commander of Federal troops in the Cherokee nation. Scott arrived at New Echota, Cherokee Nation on April 16, 1838 and assumed command of the "Army of the . . . — — Map (db m39454) HM
Sir The several detachments of Emigrating Cherokees under the charge of Messrs. Hair Conrad, Elijah Hicks, John Benge, Jesse Bushyhead, Sitewakee, James D. Wofford, Stephen Foreman, & Moses Daniel having signified their readiness for the road will . . . — — Map (db m39535) HM
Upon arrival in the western territory, the Cherokee emigrants settled among several thousand Cherokee Old Settlers. Relations proved rocky and a generation of conflict followed. Despite the tensions the Cherokee began to rebuild their lives and . . . — — Map (db m39539) HM
This old road bed echoes back to 1838 for a nation of peoples that walked here, not by choice, but by force. Each agonizing step by thousands of people, horses and wagons etched a trench between August and November in 1838. No turning back, their . . . — — Map (db m178070) HM
The Methodist Church became active in this area after 1820 when the Tennessee Conference authorized activity among the Cherokees of the Hiwassee District and established the Hiwassee Circuit with Thomas Paine as pastor. Á church located to the . . . — — Map (db m184591) HM
Dedicated to the honor of the men of Meigs County who served in defense of our Country in World War I and II.
World War I
Albert Burton •
James F. Collins •
Charles Fitch •
Ben Gates •
Sam Mason Hall •
James Oscar Huff •
Grundy . . . — — Map (db m165901) HM
About 1 mile east, at the mouth of Agency Creek, the U.S. Agency for the Cherokees was located from 1816 to 1821. Here, on July 8. 1817, Maj. Gen. Andrew Jackson, Governor Joseph McMinn, and David Meriwether, U.S. Commissioners, concluded a treaty . . . — — Map (db m150444) HM
About 1807, Conley Hastings established a ferry at this site. Originally, it provided transportation between the town of Washington to the west and the Cherokee Territory to the east of the river, and later between the Rhea and Meigs County seats of . . . — — Map (db m150311) HM
Union Gen. William Rosecrans's Army of the Cumberland, pushed back into Chattanooga after the disastrous Battle of Chickamauga on September 19-20, 1863, found itself short of food and ammunition. Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg besieged the city and . . . — — Map (db m165900) HM
Early 19th Century Methodist revival meetings were held 300 yds. SE on the farm of Thomas Palmer, Jr. Later, David Campbell gave 1¼ acres to the Hiwassee Cumberland Presbyterian Campground and Church October 1, 1844. Troops bivouacked here during . . . — — Map (db m73931) HM
