Battle of Buffington Island

Other Names: St. Georges Creek

Location: Portland, Ohio, and Buffington Island, West Virginia

Campaign: Morgan's Raid in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio (July 1863)

Date: July 19, 1863

Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. Edward H. Hobson [US]; Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan [CS]

Forces Engaged: Brigades: 4,700 total (US 3,000; CS 1,700)

Casualties and losses: 925 total (US 25; CS 900)

Result(s): Union victory

Brief Description:

On July 13, Morgan's raiders crossed into Ohio at Harrison, pursued by several columns of Union cavalry under overall direction of Brig. Gen. Edward H. Hobson. On July 19, Kautz's and Judah's brigades attacked Morgan near Buffington Island. During the night, Morgan and about 400 men escaped encirclement by following a narrow woods path. The rest of his force surrendered. Many of those captured at Buffington Island were taken via steamboat to Cincinnati as prisoners of war, including most of the wounded. Morgan and most of his officers were confined to the Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus. Morgan, Thomas Hines, and a few others would later escape and flee to Kentucky.