Institution

Continuing from Blue Ash, Morgan and his men moved toward present-day Deer Park, known in 1863 as East Sycamore. This was not where the raiders had intended to go but Morgan’s guide had led them away from their intended rendezvous point in Montgomery. The guide, William Landenburgh, was a farmer from Sharon who had been taken prisoner after exchanging shots with the rebels. While he was released by Morgan, despite threats of death for leading them astray, Landenburgh was later captured by US forces on suspicion of being a rebel. He was eventually released by the commander of Camp Dennison and allowed to return home. 	Morgan stopped, despite not being at his intended destination, for breakfast at the home of the Schenck family. Having prepared for the possible arrival of the raiders, the Schenck’s offered to feed the General and his men but instructed that it would be best to do so outside as there was a child quarantined inside with smallpox. They had closed the shutters, hung a sheet over the door, and had one of the women dress as a nurse. The deception was successful and while Morgan dined on the front lawn, two prized horses and the family of John Henry Thompson remained safe inside. The Thompson family were runaway slaves from Kentucky and following the help of the Schenck family, made a permanent home in the area. Thirty minutes later, Morgan rode away unaware that he was not the only one capable of a successful ruse. 	Today, the John Schenck House remains private property. The home and the tours seventh interpretive sign can be viewed from the sidewalk in front of the home.

While many tried to hide their valuables or fled their homes during Morgan’s raid, some families did fight back but through wit rather than force of arms. The Schenck family was able to successfully deceive Morgan himself, saving a family of runaway slaves and two prized horses.

Deer Park - A Courageous Bluff

The Morgan Heritage Trail covers more than 500 miles and consists of 56 informational signs that allow visitors to follow the path of Confederate General Morgan and his 2,000 troops during their 13-day raid into southern Ohio. 

Beginning on June 11, 1863, Confederate (CSA) General John Hunt Moran departed from Sparta, Tennessee with 2,460 cavalrymen, four artillery batteries, and a wagon train of supplies. The goal? Distract the United States (US) forces in Indiana and Ohio. Morgan’s superior, General Braxton Bragg, had given Morgan free run over Tennessee and Kentucky but ordered that under no circumstances were Morgan’s forces to cross the Ohio River. On July 8th, Morgan would disobey this order when he crossed into Indiana. After five days of raiding, he and his troops would begin their raid of Ohio.               It was mid-morning on July 13, 1863, when the “Rebel Raider” arrived on Ohio’s doorstep. Morgan and his men crossed the covered bridge over the Whitewater River before descending into the town of Harrison. The night before, Ohio Governor David Tod issued a proclamation calling out the Ohio militia. While many did not hear this order in a timely manner, 10,000 militiamen did gather to defend Cincinnati and Hamilton but this would do little to help Harrison, some 20 miles northwest of Cincinnati.               Throughout the Civil War, foraging was necessary for both sides to sustain their war effort. During Morgan’s Raid, both sides would commandeer horses, saddles, bridles, and other supplies to keep horses going, as well as clothes, boots, and food for their riders. While foraging for supplies was necessary some men could not resist the temptation to loot items of value, gifts for loved ones back home, and keepsakes from the homes and business in US territory. Money, tobacco, alcohol, jewelry, dresses, and ribbons were commonly looted items throughout the raid.               Today, the first interpretive sign of the Morgan Trail stands in front of the Harrison Fire Department. On this site in 1863 stood the Market House which housed the post office run by Abram Clark and a store owned by Robert A. Keen. CSA troops stole stamps and money from the post office, while boots and shoes were taken from the store. They also looted several other businesses and homes while they held many citizens of Harrison prisoner. These prisoners were allowed to overhear plans that Morgan intended to launch an attack on Cincinnati in an attempt to confuse the US information network and hide Morgan’s real intentions.               This first stop in Ohio would be brief. Morgan intended for US officers to believe that he would attack Cincinnati or Hamilton. While US forces concentrated on the protection of these cities, Morgan and his men used the cover of night to slip past them and put even more ground between themselves and the US cavalry forces that were in pursuit. United States Brigadier General Edward Hobson and his 2,000 cavalrymen were only about five hours behind the raiders. Morgan’s men began moving out at 14:00, cutting the telegraph lines as they went. By 17:00, the last of the Confederate rear guard was leaving the town. About 30 minutes later, Hobson’s advance guard arrived the find the Whitewater River Bridge in smoldering ruins.

It was in Harrison, Hamilton County, where the Confederate invasion of Ohio began. Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan led more than 2,000 Confederate cavalrymen into Ohio after a five day raid of southern Indiana. Their stop in Harrison would be brief but like many towns and villages over the next 13 days, they looted Harrison of horses, food and anything of value.

Morgan Invades Ohio

After arriving in Ohio, Morgan divided his forces in an effort to maintain the deception of an attack on Cincinnati. In the move out from Harrison, some 500 riders continued toward Miamitown, where they burned the bridge across the Great Miami River. Before leaving the Harrison area, the detachment encountered a funeral procession. The funeral was allowed to continue after the carriage drivers agreed to return and surrender their horses following the procession. The drivers changed their mind and returned home after the funeral by another route, depriving the raiders of fresh horses.               Morgan’s main column continued on New Haven Road moving toward New Haven. The location of the 1863 road is now the location of a shopping center after the road was rerouted to make way for Interstate 74. While moving toward New Haven, Morgan’s troops fanned out looking for horses and supplies. CSA forces looted several homes along this route including the home of John G. Oyler who filed a claim for the loss of a watch, pistol, clothing, jewelry, provisions, grain, and $50 in cash.               In an attempt to convince US forces that Morgan was heading for Hamilton, a small detachment went north from New Haven. They reached Venice in Butler County and despite attempts, failed to burn the Great Miami River Bridge there. Morgan’s main column continued on the roads, unable to take artillery batteries, and wagon cross-country. While in Venice, raiders captured James Poole, a local famer, and later forced him to guide Morgan to Bevis before releasing him.               After arriving in New Baltimore and crossing the river, the raiders burnt the New Baltimore Bridge, a huge and expensive loss as the bridge had just recently been completed and was valued at more than $8,000. Moving into the town of Bevis, the chosen rendezvous point for Morgan’s scattered and exhausted raiders, did the General finally allow his men some rest. The second interpretive sign on the tour stands looking over the field where Morgan and his men rested, waiting for the rest of their comrades to arrive. In 1863 the field was owned by Martin Bevis. Originally serving as a meeting ground for the Methodist Congregations of Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, this site also served as Camp Colerain from May to August 1861. Camp Colerain was a rendezvous point for US recruits including men from the 28th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, seven companies of the 39th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, the 1st and 2nd Kentucky Infantries’, and Major Edward F. Noyes who would later serve as Governor of Ohio from 1872 – 1874.

With two US strongholds nearby and 2,000 cavalrymen hot on his heels, Morgan ordered his men to keep moving with no noise, no light, and no rest. Officers rode from the head of their companies to the rear and back again trying to keep their exhausted men and horses awake and moving

Bevis - "The Darkest of All Nights"

Leaving Bevis, Morgan led his reformed brigade toward New Burlington. While there, Morgan stopped at the home of Colonel J. Williamson. The Colonel was not home but his wife stated that Morgan requested a light which he used while viewing maps of the region. After a brief rest, Morgan moved north through present-day Forest Park and Springdale.In Springdale, Morgan and his weary men stopped for a rest. The General and his brother, rested at the home of John Watson, the local butcher, where other raiders forced Watson to cook breakfast for them. Two Confederates fell asleep in the Churchyard and in the morning were taken prisoner by armed local citizens.30 minutes before the arrival of Morgan’s scouts into Glendale, a train passed through carrying US troops to reinforce the garrison at Hamilton. Before leaving, rebels damaged the railroad and used the telegraph office to send out telegraphs to further confuse US forces.Today, the third interpretive sign in the tour sits outside the Glendale Heritage Preservation Society Museum and Gift Shop. The museum is located in the train depot built in 1880 after the original white frame railroad depot burned in 1879.

Morgan had feared that the Glendale railroad crossing could be a disaster area. If he was unsuccessful in his deception of an attack on Cincinnati and Hamilton US forces could be waiting for them. Fortunately for the raiders, the deception had been successful, not one US soldier waited for them.

Glendale - Morgan's Confederates Arrive from Springdale

The ladies of Glendale College who had remained indoors as the Confederates came through, came out and greeted the US forces under Brigadier General James M. Shackelford. They served the men in their saddles from trays and pitchers. Morgan’s men moved on, stopping for water at Steven’s Sulfur Spring, which in 1863 was the eastern outskirt of Glendale. Today, Canal Road covers the bed of the old Miami and Erie Canal which was filled in in the 1990s. In 1863, this was the Miami Canal. In an attempt to slow the pursuing US forces, the Confederates burnt the Sharon Road Bridge across the canal. They also attempted to burn the nearby bridge across Mill Creek but before serious damage could be done, local were able to out the flames out. Built in 1842, the Twelve-Mile House in Sharonville served as Morgan’s headquarters. The tavern-keeper was a southern sympathizer and provided a good bottle of brandy to the General and his staff. While the officers did pay Mr. Myer $200, they confiscated his horse and four boxes of cigars. It was later said that there was none more critical of Morgan than Christopher Myer. It is outside of the Twelve Mill House, which still stands in Sharonville, that the fourth interpretive sign of the tour can be found. Seven hours after the raiders left Sharonville, the US forces in pursuit arrived, equally as weary, hungry, and in need of fresh horses. Unfortunately, as in previous towns, they were left with little in the way of horses or supplies. The local people did feed and supply them with what they could but the most important supply was fresh mounts, and the US soldiers were left with only what the CSA forces couldn’t find or did not want..

After less than 24 hours in Ohio, with little food or rest, Morgan and his weary men rode into Sharonville. At 03:00, citizens were roused, their horses, saddles, and bridles confiscated and they were forced to hand over clothes, tobacco, and any cooked provisions. The citizens were forced to provide again a mere seven hours later when US forces in pursuit arrived.

Sharonville - "The Greatest Excitement That I Ever Seen"

Morgan’s Raid was not the only major event of the Civil War in the summer of 1863. 10 Days before Morgan entered Ohio the Battle of Gettysburg, the bloodiest battle in American history, came to an end. Union forces had defeated the Confederates, forcing them onto a retreat back south. Despite this victory, 11 days later, Morgan and his 2,000 raider were still riding almost unopposed through Union territory. Pursuing US forces were unable to gain ground on the Confederates without access to fresh horses and provisions.Now past the feared railroad crossing in Glendale, Morgan once again divided his forces. Divided into two main columns, from there the rebels further divided into small squads, fanning out to forage for horses, food, and other supplies. Morgan and General Adam Johnson led one column south toward Reading. The other column was led by General Basil Duke, who led his force east. Morgan’s force arrived in the village of Evendale. A group watered their horses at George Brown’s lower springhouse. The raiders also stole two horses from the barn. Eventually, one horse was returned though it was badly damaged due to hard use. The other horse was later recovered by the 8th Kentucky cavalry but never returned. Brown was granted $150 in compensation for the lost horse but his claim for the damaged horse was rejected.Today, the village of Evendale operates the site as the Gorman Heritage Farm, named for the original owners from whom George Brown bought the property. The fifth interpretive sign on the tour is located near the entrance of the Heritage Fam.

It was now July 14, Morgan and his men had been in Ohio for just under two days and had managed to move more than 30 miles almost entirely unopposed. Though US cavalry forces remained in pursuit, a lack of access to fresh horses and supplies had cause them to lose precious time. Morgan and his men retained an advantage by arriving in towns first to get their pick of the best horses and food.

Evendale - Morgan's Raiders Spread Out from Sharonville

As his men moved out of Sharonville, Morgan sent small squads in multiple directions to mask the movements of the larger columns and to forage. Thomas Spooner, the Internal Revenue Collector for the First District of Ohio, witnessed the main column passing on Cooper Road. He stated that it took nearly two hours for the column to pass by his home, estimating the size to be near 2,000 men strong. He recounted that many of the men were not wearing standard uniforms and despite continuing to press on, appeared very fatigued. Spooner lost two horses to the raiders, later recovering one.	The raiders made their way to the home of John C. Hunt in Blue Ash. Ten year old Wilson Hunt watched with his father from an upstairs window of the family home as the Confederates took six horses from the barn. Unable to stop them, locals like the Hunt family had no choice but to watch as their animals were taken. Two of the six were later recovered and Mr. Hunt filed a claim of $495 for the other four. Eight hours later when US forces under General Hobson arrived in Blue Ash, they discovered to their dismay that almost every useful horse within three miles had already been stolen by the rebels. 	After the Civil War, the Hunt home remained in the family until the 21st century when it was acquired by the city of Blue Ash. It was acquired from Betty Hunt Bell, granddaughter of Wilson Hunt. Today the John C. Hunt House serves as the Blue Ash Museum and meeting facility. The sixth interpretive sign of the tour is located in front of the Historic Hunt House.

The small squads of Confederates moved swiftly across the countryside, having been sent on multiple routes from Sharonville. In Blue Ash, a famer and his son watched as Confederate troops stole horses from their barn. The rebels would press almost every useful horse in a three mile radius.

Blue Ash - "You Can't Stop an Army"

On April 27, 1861, Camp Dennison was established under Major General George B. McClellan at the request of the Governor William Dennison. The camp was meant to serve as a place to muster, train, and discharge volunteers’ soldiers. It is estimated that between 75,000 and 100,000 union soldiers passed through Camp Dennison throughout the Civil War. With 2,300 beds, the hospital added to the camp in April 1862, was one of the largest military hospitals in the Union. In July 1863, Camp Dennison was located at a strategically important crossroads but was manned with fewer than 600 men, most of whom were convalescing after being wounded or were new recruits. 	After leaving the Schenck house, Morgan continued east, most of his force moving on Kugler Mill Road. Other companies moved south, visiting several homes in the present-day city of Madeira. It was early Tuesday, July 14, when Morgan and his men neared Camp Dennison. The day before, to defend the camp, Lieutenant Colonel Neff ordered Captain Joseph L. Proctor and fifty men to dig rifle pits at the crossroads of Kugler Mill, Loveland, and present-day Camargo roads. The men also cut trees to block the roads. Brigadier General Jacob D. Cox, the District of Ohio commander, had sent word to Neff and the orders were clear: “The camp must be held!” In the day prior to Morgan’s arrival, 1400 men arrived but most were unarmed. On the morning of the 14th, Proctor was put in command of 350 men, his force made up of US convalescents, Ohio militia, and civilians. It was about 06:00 when the Confederates advance guard reached the intersection, finding felled trees and other obstacles in their path, and entered a skirmish with the US forces. Morgan ordered his artillery, two 12-pounder howitzers, to begin shelling from about a quarter mile away in an attempt to disperse the union troops but without success. 	Morgan himself was never involved in the skirmish beyond ordering the artillery into action. With Hobson’s forces still on his trail, Morgan didn’t have time to get involved in a lengthy battle. After being forced to backtrack, Morgan’s main column retreated north to Montgomery, where he was met by Duke’s brigade after their own series skirmishes	In 1863, Camp Dennison encompassed more than 700 acres. It was dismantled between November 1865 and June 1866.Today, in the town of Camp Dennison houses the Camp Dennison Civil War Museum in the Stone house that served as the camp’s guard house. The eighth interpretive sign on the tour is located across the street from the museum on OH-126.

With Morgan’s arrival imminent, Lieutenant Colonel George W. Neff commandant of Camp Dennison, prepared to defend the camp. Of his 600 troops about 200 were unarmed and most were either new recruits or convalescents. By daybreak of July 14, 350 convalescent soldiers and militia men manned the newly constructed earthworks. By 06:00, they engaged the rebel forces with the understanding that their strategic position had to be held.

Camp Dennison - "The Camp Must Be Held"

While the advance guard from Morgan’s main column began skirmishing with US troops at Kugler Mill Road, Basil Duke’s brigade, with riders from the 14th Kentucky cavalry, crossed the Little Miami River at Porter’s Mill, north of Camp Dennison. They crossed about 07:00 moving toward Miamiville. Guards at the Camargo Road Bridge, then known as the Madisonville Pike Bridge, were caught by surprise and, after a brief engagement, scattered. Duke posted guards of his own at the bridge before continuing.	In Miamiville, Duke’s men attempted to burn the wooden railroad bridge, today a metal bridge, known as the Loveland Bike Trail Bridge, stands on the site. The bridge was guarded by a US detachment led by Captain Jacob Shuman. Shuman’s forces were able to hold the south end of the bridge but eventually Duke’s men outflanked them and captured most of the US soldiers. Lieutenant William H.H. Smith was ordered to take 200 Miami Volunteers to defend the bridge. They marched the mile to the bridge at a grueling pace, arriving to find the Confederates trying to burn the bridge. After dispersing them, the militia fanned out along the south banks of the river prepared to defend the bridge from further attack. 	Morgan rode, with a guide that who forced into service, to Miamiville. At the top of the hill above town, he could Camp Dennison laid out in the distance. It was from here that he ordered the artillery batteries run out. Leaving the men in command of Duke, Morgan rode back to his main column to hurry it forward. This artillery engagement lasted until about 10:30, when Neff arrived with a company of convalescents. Charging across the bridge they successful drove the rebels back.	During the early stages of the skirmish, a company of riders from Duke’s brigade moved about half a mile south of Procter’s Mill. There they cut telegraph lines and sabotaged the Little Miami Railroad by wedging railroad ties into a cattle gap. Half a mile back up the track, at Dangerous Crossing, rebels hid in the corn fields and began firing on the first train that appeared. The passenger train pulled by the engine “Kilgour” was also carrying 115 US troops bound for Camp Dennison. The train sped up after exchanging shots with the raiders and after going around a blind curve, hit the ties at an estimated 40 mph, causing the train to derail. One man was killed, and the engineer was seriously wounded. Miraculously, none of the other passengers suffered serious injuries. The rebels evacuated the train, taking the soldiers prisoner, before setting it ablaze. Morgan paroled the prisoners, making them walk the rest of the way to Camp Dennison.	Morgan’s men discovered Camp Shady, a US supply depot at the corner of present-day Branch Hill-Guinea Road and SR 28. The depot was deserted when the raiders arrived around 11:00. Horses, mules, and fifty covered wagons had been left behind. Morgan ordered the wagons searched for needed items and then burnt. With fresh horses the rebels set off again. 	By the end of the series of skirmishes, the bridges had been saved and Camp Dennison held. Morgan and his men had also been occupied, giving the US cavalry under Hobson time to make up ground though they were still several hours behind the raiders. Neff’s US casualties totaled one dead, several wounded, four captured, and one missing. Morgan’s casualties totaled six dead, four wounded, and seven captured. Due to his successful defense of the area, Neff was promoted to Colonel. 	The ninth and tenth interpretive signs are located together and can be found on the Little Mami Scenic Trail in Miamiville, Clermont County. The trail is the third longest paved trail in the country. The signs are located at Bike Trail Milepost 47.59.  A short distance away, at Milepost 47.80, is the old railroad bridge.

Basil Duke’s brigade crossed the Little Miami River at Porter’s Mill near Miamiville. Raiders cut telegraph lines and sabotaged the railroad causing the derailment of a passenger train. The main body of Duke’s brigade moved into Miamiville, intent on destroying the Little Miami Railroad Bridge. What ensued was a three-hour skirmish that ended in a Confederate retreat.

John Hunt Morgan Heritage Trail

Deer Park - A Courageous Bluff

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Sources