Buffington Island and Morgan's Raid through Jefferson County
"The 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, OH", Doyle, 1910, pgs. 186-192
"A portion of the 23rd corps of mounted infantry followed MORGAN from Kentucky, but for the reasons given could not overtake him until he was brought to bay. Nevertheless he created quite a scare. His force was greatly exaggerated and Governors Morton of Indiana and Tod of Ohio, called out the state militia, in which call Jefferson County was not included, it not being supposed that Morton (Morgan, sic) would reach here. But he was quicker than the militia, and by the 13th (July 1863), he was within 13 miles of Cincinnati, which city was considerably alarmed. But had no notion of trying to enter the city, and marched almost directly east to BUFFINGTON ISLAND above Pomeroy, where he was brought to bay and attempted to cross the river in which he signally failed. In the engagement here, Judge Daniel McCOOK, father of the late George W. McCOOK, and brother of Dr. John McCOOK, of Steubenville, was killed, he having already lost two sons in the war. Here between 600 and 700 prisoners were taken and about 300 managed to get across the river to West Virginia while MORGAN with 1,100 retreated back into the country closely pursued by Hobson's cavalry. It was not a race across the country, and MORGAN's force probably did not exceed 600 when he entered this county at Adena on the western border on the early morning of Saturday, the 25th. He had spent the previous day in Harrison County which he entered from Guernsey passing about six miles southeast of Cadiz, reaching Georgetown about three miles from Adena at 7 in the evening, where he remained until 10 p.m. when he moved on, spending the night between there and Adena."
Other Jefferson County areas where MORGAN crossed include, York, Mt. Pleasant Road, Short Creek to the river, attempting to cross at Warrenton, northward toward Smithfield, . . . Thus they marched through the main street of Smithfield, and compelled Captain COLLINS and his associates to announce to the people that these were HOBSON's men, and to give them plenty to eat and treat them well. The citizens in their loyalty brought out a plentiful supply of provisions, which they freely gave to their hungry enemies, and did not discover the deception until it was too late to remedy it. MORGAN moved on with a fresh supply of horses, allowing his prisoners to escape, . ..
The next point was New Alexandria . . . they turned northward towards Wintersville. The raiders began plundering the store of J. C. GRAHAM at New Alexandria but MORGAN stopped them and directed Mr. GRAHAM to close his store. . . He then marched up Dry Fork, halting at Nathan PORTER's place and taking him prisoner, releasing him the following day and stopping for a late dinner at the houses of John HANNA and John STONE. . . . Morgan's course being now pretty well known at 2 p.m. they (Col. James COLLIER and the Steubenville militia) marched out the old plank road in the direction of Wintersville, between 500 and 600 strong, with one piece of artillery, a six (?) pound cannon which now rests in the G. A. R. lot in the Union Cemetery.
Between 5 and 6 o'clock the advance of Capt. PRENTISS's company reached the Dry Fork road with MORGAN's force just ahead of them. . . one bullet struck Henry L. PARKS, son of the late James PARKS, in the abdomen. He lingered until Monday morning the 27th when he died amid universal regret.
During this or subsequent firing Miss Margaret DOUGHERTY was standing at a window in Thomas MAXWELL's house at the forks of the road beyond Wintersville was accidentally shot in the region of the lungs by a rebel bullet which passed through her body and came out at the shoulder. She was supposed to be mortally wounded but recovered and is still living (in 1910). Morgan continued on towards Richmond, but . . was overtaken by the militia at Two Ridge Presbyterian Church where a skirmish occurred. . . . . one of the cavalrymen was mortally wounded and afterwards buried there. One of MORGAN's men, W. G. PAGE, was also wounded, but was tenderly cared for at Benjamin COE's, and when he recovered took the oath of allegiance. James NELSON and Martin KANE, two of the Michigan men were also wounded but recovered.
MORGAN reached Richmond about 7 p.m. . . rested awhile in the neighborhood of Fairfield hamlet while his scouts examined the road leading down Island Creek to the river six miles above Steubenville. With the regiment blocking his way there was nothing he could do but move on in the direction of East Springfield, picking up fresh horses by the way, and robbing citizens of money. They took five horses from William HUSCROFT and $180 & other things. At Springfield, MORGAN turned to the right following the road to Monroeville in Brush Creek Twp., and about 6 miles distant encamped for the night on Herdman TAYLOR's farm on the Middle Fork of Yellow Creek just west of Nebo, now Bergholz. Here he burned the county bridge across Yellow Creek and got another fresh supply of horses.
About 3 o'clock Sunday morning, MORGAN broke camp and started for Monroeville in Brush Creek Twp. near the Columbiana County line where he was followed by the Michigan Cavalry who overtook him at Monroeville, and captured his carriage with horses and several prisoners. The first charge was made by Co. H. Capt. RICE. Eight men were killed in this charge.
While MORGAN was in East Springfield, John K. MILLER, a well known citizen of that place concluded to have a little fun, and meeting the rebel chief gave him a large amount of misinformation as the surrounding country and conditions of affairs and . . was ordered to join the party which was more than MILLER had bargained for. . . .MORGAN started for Salineville . . and hoped to strike the river at Wellsville. The closing scene took place near SCROGG's meeting house not far from Salineville - surrender was made to Major RUE at 2 p.m. on Sunday, there being 336 prisoners, with 400 horses and arms.
The Jefferson County Historical Association & Museum http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohjcha/ still has a few copies of this fully indexed and hardbound 1197 paged book entitled, "20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson Co., OH" 1910, Doyle. The above is just a small sample of it's contents.
(Originally abstracted by Julia A. Krutilla for the Jefferson County Chapter, OGS Web Page in 2000)

The above inforamtion was contributed by Julia Krutilla