Southeast Ohio History Center to host talk on the Battle of Buffington Island

The Southeast Ohio History Center will host author, David Mowery, at 2 p.m. Saturday as he discusses the Battle of Buffington Island, Ohio’s only Civil War clash.

Ohio contributed more men per capita to fight for the Union in the American Civil War than any other state. Most of their engagements in conflict occurred in Southern states. However, the Confederacy brought the conflict to Southeast Ohio in the summer of 1863. Morgan and his men were hoping to divert attention of the Union Army of Ohio from Confederate forces in Tennessee.

General John Hunt Morgan and nearly 2,000 members of his cavalry brigade raided towns and farmsteads across southern Indiana and Ohio until they were caught attempting to re-cross the Ohio River.

On July 19, 1863, Morgan and his men were met by local militia and Union gunboats near Buffington Island in Meigs County. Ohio’s only Civil War battle ensued. More than 70 soldiers were killed, 130 wounded and 750 were captured before Morgan and his remaining troops fled north where they were finally captured in Columbiana County.

Mowery, author of "Morgan’s Great Raid" and "Cincinnati in the Civil War," will tell the story of the Battle of Buffington Island and other incidents in the region. Mowery will also discuss efforts to preserve Ohio’s only Civil War battlefield.

The Southeast Ohio History Center, at 24 W. State St., Athens, has limited parking in the rear. For information about this presentation or about the History Center call (740) 593-3380 or visit www.southeastohiohistory.org.