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2 • Morning Journal • Morgan’s Raid 150th Anniversary • July, 25th, 2013
Morning Journal • Morgan’s Raid 150th Anniversary • July, 25th, 2013 • 3
County commemorates 150th anniversary of Morgan’s Raid By TOM GIAMBRONI Staff Writer
LISBON — Hide your horses, valuables and women! That was the cry that rang out over southern Columbiana County on the evening of July 25, 1863, as word spread of the approach of Morgan’s Raiders, according to local historian Gene Krotky. “By July 26, 1863, the village of New Lisbon was preparing to defend itself against the devastation that was sure to come at the hands of Confederate General John Hunt Morgan and his calvary,” she said. Morgan never quite made it to New Lisbon, as the village was known then. On Sunday, July 26, Morgan and his 384 remaining soldiers surrendered to pursuing Union troops five miles south of town near West Point, ending the northernmost advance of Confederate troops during the Civil War and the only fighting to have occurred on county soil.
The Surrender Tree in Gavers, Ohio is depicted in this illustation. The actual tree was relocated to Beaver Creek State Park and will be available for viewing during the celebration.
To commemorate the 150th anniversary of Morgan’s surrender, the Lisbon and East Liverpool historical societies have joined forces to host a series of events on July 28 in Lisbon and at the surrender site on state Route 518.
expected to occur. Audience interaction is invited and expected, similar to what visitors find at historic Williamsburg. “Hear the speeches exhorting the young boys and old men of the village to bravery and duty as they prepare to go out and meet Morgan,” she said.
Krotky, president of the Lisbon Historical Society, said they are trying to recreate, with as much historical authenticity as possible, the events of that day, starting with an 1860s outside church service at 9 a.m., although it will only be 45 minutes long, “far short of the three hours our ancestors spent worshipping.” The focus then turns to the town square near the county courthouse, where men dressed in period clothing will deliver speeches similar to those heard that day to rally the locals and recruit volunteers to protect Lisbon from the bloodbath many
To defend New Lisbon, Krotky said the volunteer militia poured into the town square armed with rifles of varying age and quality, while farmers also brought their pitchforks. The village’s lone cannon, used only to celebrate the Fourth of July, was pressed into service, and a cannon will be fired as part of the event. Meanwhile, the ladies of town prepared a picnic in support of the volunteer militia, many of whom wondered if this would be their last meal. The ladies of the Methodist Church will be packaging and
The Lisbon Historical Society presents a
SPECIALCIVILW AR DISPLAY Featuring a Confederate Pistol left behind by Morgan’s men. To view our display, the Train Station will be open from 10am to 3pm on
SUNDAY,JULY28,2013
4 • Morning Journal • Morgan’s Raid 150th Anniversary • July, 25th, 2013 selling “knapsack meals” similar to what volunteers would have received that day. These “packet” meals will consist of hardboiled eggs, a slice of ham, homemade biscuit and piece of fruit. The cost is $6, and the “packet” will be available at the church and in the town square. Several local restaurants are getting in the spirit of things, with Sweet Jane’s offering period-appropriate sweets, while the specials of the day at the Shale Tavern will be Yankee pot roast and Southern chicken. The church service, which begins at 9 a.m., is on the Methodist Church lawn, followed by opening remarks on the courthouse steps at 10 a.m. Recruiting efforts, followed by drilling of the militia, begin at 10:45 a.m. behind the gazebo. At 11:30 a.m. on the courthouse steps, people representing county officials of the period will reenact efforts to protect the county treasury from being plundered by Morgan. Twenty minutes later a reenactment of the local militia reporting to Captain Curry will occur on the courthouse steps, followed by a patriotic speech from War of 1812 veteran and Lisbon resident John Armstrong imploring the volunteers to do their duty. At 12:30 p.m., the militia moves south to protect Lisbon from Morgan’s advance, which is when activities will shift to the surrender site, where a reenactment of the event is scheduled to be held at 2 p.m. featuring Morgan, as portrayed by Daryl Metcalf. Afterward, Metcalf will travel to Wellsville, where he is to be featured in the village’s event. Wellsville is where Morgan and his soldiers were held following their surrender until shipped to a Union prison in Columbus. The Lisbon Historical Society, which is housed in the Erie Train Station, will be open for free from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., where visitors can view the musuem’s Civil War/Morgan displays, which includes an authenticated Confederate revolver found near the surrender site. Other events are aslo scheduled that day in the county. In Wellsville, Morgan’s Raid authority Lester Horwitz will speak
Morgan look-alike, Daryl Metcalf, will portray the General John Hunt Morgan in the reenactment during the celebration.
at the River Museum at 3 p.m. At Beaver Creek State Park, the 1,000-pound, 8-foot- high trunk of the tree underwhich Morgan surrendered will be available for display from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 27 and 28. Music will be provided by the Appalachian Folk Music Club.
COLUMBIANA COUNTY’S OLDEST AND MOST TRUSTED DAILYNEW SPAPER Established 1852 Successor to the Buckeye State and Evening Journal
Morning Journal • Morgan’s Raid 150th Anniversary • July, 25th, 2013 • 5
Schedule of events JULY28,2013RE-ENACTMENTOFMORGAN’SRAID INNEWLISBON,OHIO•ONSUNDAY,JULY1863 Order of the Day
9:00 a.m.
Church Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Methodist Church Lawn
10:00 a.m. Opening Remarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Courthouse Steps Canon Firing Begins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Courthouse Parking Lot 10:45 a.m. Recruiting Militia & Drilling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Behind the Gazebo 11:30 a.m. Saving the County Treasury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Courthouse Steps 11:50 a.m. Militia Reports to Capt. Curry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Courthouse 12:15 p.m. Gen. Armstrong Speech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Courthouse Steps “Citizens Do Your Duty” 12:30 p.m. Militia Moves Out to Protect New Lisbon against “Devil Morgan”
At this time the activities will move south of Lisbon to Surrender Rock area on route 518, where a re-enactment of the surrender of the Confederate Cavalry under Gen. Morgan will begin at approximately 2 p.m.. We invite you to continue your Civil War adventure there with the East Liverpool Historical Society.
open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with special Civil War displays. Featured will be an authenticated Confederate revolver reported to have been carried by one of Morgan’s men. Other genuine Civil War weapons and military equipment will be on display too. Interesting and unique war stories also will be shared by costumed inter-preters. By donation.
Or If you are war weary and wish to remain in Lisbon, please visit the Lisbon Historical Society Museum, which will be
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6 • Morning Journal • Morgan’s Raid 150th Anniversary • July, 25th, 2013
Historian presents Raid story at Wellsville River Museum To mark the 150th Anniversary of John Hunt Morgan’s Ohio Raid, Civil War author-historian Lester V. Horwitz will tell about Morgan’s Raid at the Wellsville River Museum, 1003 Riverside Ave. at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 28.
As part of Horwitz’s presentation, there will be a large map showing the route through Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio taken by Morgan’s men. How Horwitz went about uncovering the hundreds of true stories, verifying their authenticity and collecting over two hundred historic photos, is a story unto itself. Dr. James A. Ramage, regent professor of history at Northern Kentucky University and author of Rebel Raider, said “The book is outstanding. It reads like a novel.”
The Confederate general who led the raid spent his last night in Wellsville’s Whitacre House Hotel before being transferred to the Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus. In appreLester V. Horwitz ciation of the innkeeper’s hospiAuthor/Historian tality, General Morgan presented his sword to Mr. Whitacre. The sword is part of the museum’s permanent display.
Horwitz is the first civil war author to be filmed and broadcast nationwide on C-SPAN/BookTv. He has completed a musical drama, The Rebels Are Coming! adapted from his book. It’s Morgan’s Raid in music. Autographed copies of the book and music CD will be available at the presentation.
On July 26, 1863, General Morgan and the remnants of his cavalry force, about 350 tired rebels, were captured at 2 p.m., on state Route 518 two miles west of West Point, in Columbiana County. Morgan’s men had ridden over 1,000 miles in the hot July sun. Horwitz will tell about the people and events that happened in this area when Morgan’s Raiders came through Jefferson, Carroll and Columbiana Counties. Horwitz’s book, The Longest Raid of the Civil War, was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for History. It tells the story of Morgan’s Great Raid through Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. About 2,000 of Morgan’s Raiders entered Ohio on July 13, 1863. By July 26, they reached West Point, Ohio just 70 miles south of Cleveland. After the raid, 4375 Ohioans filed claims for damages suffered in the raid.
Whitacre House Hotel in Wellsville where Gen. Morgan was held after his capture July 26, 1863
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Morning Journal • Morgan’s Raid 150th Anniversary • July, 25th, 2013 • 7
Wellsville events slated WELLSVILLE, OH The River Museum will open at 1 p.m. that day (Sunday) and, along with the usual displays, there will be a personal collection of Civil War era pistols, including three black powder rifles made by gunsmiths in Wellsville and Salineville. At 3 p.m., Lester Horowitz, author of “The Longest Raid,” will speak, followed by a reenactment of the events that took place in Wellsville following Morgan’s surrender. This will include bringing the Confederate general into town as a prisoner and him later presenting his sword to Thomas Whitacre, owner of The Whitacre House where Morgan was housed overnight. Morgan’s sword will be on display at the museum in a special case.
A reproduction of The Wellsville Patriot from July 28, 1863
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8 • Morning Journal • Morgan’s Raid 150th Anniversary • July, 25th, 2013
Alliance Youth Loses Hand in “Raid” Richard Lacher, Jr. Is Victim HORSE FALLS DEAD AFTER SHAM BATTLE (Editor’s Note: This account of the 1963 Morgan’s Raid reenactment was published in the July 19, 1963 edition of The Evening Journal)
An Alliance youth lost his left hand Sunday helping “recreate” a battle that never took place 100 years ago when the Rebel Raider surrendered near West Point. A Civil War brass cannon went off unexpectedly as Richard Lacher Jr., 16, of 72 W. Main St., Alliance rammed a charge down the barrel. The blast blew off his hand and burned his face severely. He is reported in “fair” condition today at Salem Central Clinic where he wa taken by ambulance a sheriff’s cruiser as escort. Hospital personnel said it is uncertain at this stage whether the burns will affect his eyesight. Deputy Sheriff Howard Gray said the youth was in one of the several gun crews firing cannons, and had fire the fieldpiece successfull several times. The “soldiers” said they beieve there may have been a stalk of dry grass on the powder charge and the hot cannon ignited the grass as the boy drove the charge with a ramrod. Young Lacher is a member of a Civil War light artillery unit at Alliance. Mrs. Alice Rumberger of N. Beaver St., a registered nurse, was credited with doing an oustanding job in assisting the youth immediately after the accident.
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HORSE FALLS DEAD A horse used by the Virginia Cavalry fell dead after the mock battle and was sstill aat the Howard Ketchum farm today. The sheriff’s office tried unsuccessfully to get a hide and tallow company or mink meat butchers to take the animal. Thousands of spectator watched the action as the battle raged near the Morgan Surrender Monumnet on the GaversWest Point Rd. The climax was Morgan’s surrender to Union forces at the “farthest north” reached by Confederate troops. Etimates of the crowd ranged from 10,000 to 30,000. Many people had to walk a couple of miles from parking places along Route 518.
CANNON HEARD AT LAKE During the “battle,” smoke from the guns obscured the action, and the detonations shook the ground. The cannon firing was heard at Guilford Lake, perhaps 12 miles away by direct line. A heavy shower soaked spectators at the height of the action. The Midwest Historical Railway Society excursion train from Cleveland, Mansfield, Akron and points inbetween arrived at noon Sunday at the Erie-Lackawanna station with 732 passengers. They boarded special buses for the ride to the surrender site. A couple of the buses were unable to make the Black’s Road hill amd the passengers had to get out and walk. Officials arranging the railway excursion to the village Sunday were well pleased with the project. Clark Lord of the Midwest Chapter, was program chairman. ErieLackwanna Railroad officials who handled the rail arrangements were Vernon Green of Youngstown and Graydon Lawrence of Akron.
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Morning Journal • Morgan’s Raid 150th Anniversary • July, 25th, 2013 • 9
Attendance estimates ranged from 10,000 to 30,000 for a mock battle held on the Howard Ketchum farm on state Route 518 in July 1963 to mark the 100th anniversary of Morgan’s Raid, The crowd and reenactors are shown in these photos taken by Shirley Boals of Salineville.
A salute to fallen comrades in arms 100 years later at tiny West Grove Cemetery near Monroeville south of Salineville, in what was the northernmost engagement of the great conflict.
West Grove Cemetery near Monroeville, Ohio south of Salineville. July 1963
Charlene Boals (standing in front) and John Boals (seated right on cowcatcher) of Salineville pose on the famous Civil War Train, “The General,” during the summer of 1963 in Wellsville. The General visited Wellsville during the centennial celebration of Morgan’s Raid.
10 • Morning Journal • Morgan’s Raid 150th Anniversary • July, 25th, 2013
Family remembers Morgan’s visit Editor’s note: The Ewing family’s story of the visit of Confederate Gen. John Hunt Morgan in Columbiana County during Morgan’s Raid was written by Roy B. Ewing and was first printed in the July 6, 1963 edition of The Evening Journal, predecessor of the Morning Journal. Please keep in mind that this was written in 1963 and some of the names and locations have changed since then. By Roy Ewing Special to the Evening Journal
This is the story of Morgan’s Raid, as told me by my father, who was a 5-year-old boy sitting under the table in his home as Morgan and his raiders passed by.
Roy Ewing
I shall have no quarrel with historians who differ with my statements about the raid. My father, as I have told you, was only 5 when he began gathering material for this story, and could quite easily have gotten wrong ideas about the raid.
It was a hot morning on July 26, 1863. The ordinarily peaceful little Beaver Valley, extending from Millport on the west through Gavers, on to West Point, on the east was greatly disturbed. The cause of the disturbance was a report delivered by a mounted messenger, that Morgan the Raider had broken camp at Bergholtz early that morning and was headed this way on state Route 164, which leads through Salineville and Gavers and on through Lisbon. HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 8:30-5:00
Naturally then, Salineville and Lisbon, as well a Gavers and many other small communities of the area were equally apprehensive and vigilant. A little boy stood watching his father, Sam Ewing, treasurer of Wayne Township, Columbiana County, dig a hole in the earth floor of the basement of their home. When the hole was sufficiently deep, the father placed a bag of gold belonging to the township, within the opening and began covering the gold bag with loose earth. When the earth had been heaped above the level of the cellar floor, it was tamped down and leveled to complete the job, and Sam Ewing said to his small son, “Johnny, you must not tell the soldiers about the gold.” And Johnny replied, “I will not tell the soldiers about the gold, Daddy.” Sam and Johnny then left the basement of their home, placed the spade and post chisel in the wood shed and went into their house. Within the house, Johnny and his two little sisters, Ida and Nancy, along with their mother, Elizabeth, and grandmother and baby Jim, all had to be bidden a hasty goodbye, after which Sam Ewing rushed from the house, mounted his waiting horse and rode away.
John Ewing
As Johnny stood watching his father ride away, he said “Johnny wear new suit, Mother” and the mother replied, “Johnny shall wear his new suit today and be mother’s little soldier.” It so happened that Johnny had celebrated his fifth birthday only a few days before (July 3rd) and for a birthday pres-
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Morning Journal • Morgan’s Raid 150th Anniversary • July, 25th, 2013 • 11 ent had received a brand new northern soldier’s suit of blue, brass buttons, cap and all, and for good measure he had his picture taken wearing the soldier outfit. Sam Ewing had only a few rods to ride until he joined his comrades of the Home Guard. The Ewing home was located near the west end of a semi-circle of locust trees, at John Hull’s cattle crossing, the first place east of Gavers. And the Wayne Township recruiting station and drill grounds, under the supervision of James Donaldson, was where the Wayne Garage stands at present, plus the land north and west of the grange, now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Homer Hampson. Captain Donaldson’s home was where Paul Thompson now lives, the first place west of New Lebanon Church. New Lebanon Church - Gavers, Ohio
In the Civil War, every able-bodied man was required to take military training at a local center. The family man, were he financially able, was permitted to hire a substitute soldier, at his own expense, but was still required to drill regularly, and become a member of the home guard. Furthermore, the exempted family man was still subject to draft if the ranks at the front became seriously depleted. Soon after Sam Ewing joined his comrades at the recruiting center and drill grounds at Gavers, Captain Donaldson led the Wayne Home Guard away to a point picked out for them to make their stand against General Morgan. The place chosen to meet Morgan was a heavily wooded area formerly know as Walnut Ridge on the old Steubenville-Lisbon Road, on the farm recently owned by Oscar Nightengale. At Lisbon, the covered bridge at the west end of town was mined and ready to be blown up at a moment’s notice. To the south, out Route 164 (or Hephner’s Hollow), trees had been thrown across the road, a cannon placed on a hill overlooking the road, and armed guards shielded by the heavy stand of timber on either side of the road, stood ready to defend Lisbon. Out the Wellsville Road, Captain James Burbick and his Center Township Home Guard, flanked by the Madison Township Home Guard, stood ready to stop Morgan. Lisbon was so carefully guarded because Clement Vallandigham, the noted ‘Copperhead’ (southern sympathizer) Congressman had his home in Lisbon, and was supposed to
have a house basement loaded with arms and ammunition waiting to aid General Morgan. At Salineville, Washington Township Home Guard were lined up at Monroeville, a village to the south of Salineville on the Jefferson and Columbiana County line, and within the town, a trainload of soldiers brought in from Pittsburgh that same morning stood ready for active duty. On this fateful day, when the South’s invasion of the North, during the Civil War, reached its high water mark, the mounted soldiers, the Home Guard and the dust sent aloft by their horses’ feet, form an important factor in this story. So, time out for horses. General Morgan himself came from Lexington, Ky., the very heart of the Blue Grass country, an acknowledged center for the breeding of fine horses and cattle, then as well as now. In the local communities, the work horse on the farm was primarily a saddle and carriage horse. Heavy farm machinery had not made its appearance and what heavy work there was to perform was done by ox-team. So since the horse was a means of transportation, the faster, the better. The local stock was improved by such famous sires as Mohawk Gift, Long Island Jackson, Sid Scott, Nickle, Bolivar,
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12 • Morning Journal • Morgan’s Raid 150th Anniversary • July, 25th, 2013 Selom, Red Knight, Denver Dave, The Duke of Dixie, Foxie, Tucky-ho, and Highland ‘Fling. Please, remember as Morgan’s Raid moves along, every Morgan soldier and every local soldier was mounted on a good horse. Morgan crossed the Ohio River at Steubenville and arrived at the village of Bergholz in Jefferson County, Ohio, on Saturday evening, July 25, 1863. Morgan himself took quarters at a
The road by which Morgan bypassed Salineville crosses Ohio Route 39 at Riley’s Church, a short distance west of Salineville. As the Confederates moved north across Route 39, they were fired upon by the East Township (Carroll County) Home Guard, who were stationed on the hill to the west of Riley’s Church. Morgan returned the rifle fire, but continued steadily north until he was informed by his scouts that a sizable Franklin Township Home Guard was stationed at Bethesda Church northwest of Millport, Ohio. By that time Morgan, being in a charitable mood (caused by his knowledge of the nearness of Shackleford), changed his course to the east and came down Route 518 toward Gavers. On the Fleming farm (now Thompson’s Potato Farm east of New Lebanon Church), the barn bridge covered a root cellar, which had been extensively used for a day-time hideout for runaway slaves (underground railroad). Then when night came they would be conveyed to the next hide-out until they reached Canada and freedom.
Riley’s Church - Salineville, Ohio
farmhouse at the edge of the village, where he ordered a chicken breakfast to be served to him in the morning. The chickens were slaughtered and prepared, but Morgan did not share the chicken. Before daybreak, Sunday, July 26, 1863, Morgan was informed by one of his mounted scouts, that General Shackleford of the Union Army had arrived at Yellow Creek—Ohio River, Confluence on Saturday evening, with the avowed objective, “stop Morgan.” The Confederate Raider quickly broke camp and took off to the nor th on what is now Ohio Route 164 toward Salineville. At the tiny village of Monroeville on the Columbiana-Jefferson County line, the Morgan advance guard tangled with the Salineville Home Guard, causing the Confederates to bypass Salineville to the west.
Morgan knew nothing of ‘Fleming’s station’ (underground railroad) or that barn surely would have been burned. So the barn was unmolested and, in fact, still stands today. As the morning advanced, Lisbon became anxious for news of Morgan’s activities, so William Myers, the carriage man at Lisbon, sent Jesse Daily, mounted on his best horse, on a factfinding expedition. As scout Daily proceeded west on Route 518 through Gavers, he passed the Ewing home where Johnny and his family were anxiously awaiting the days developments. Elizabeth Ewing saw Mr. Daily pass by and knew that he was riding Mr. Myers’ horse. So she watched to see which course the rider would take at McDonald’s corners, (Kirk’s Corners) west on Route 518 or south on Route 164. The horseman continued west. Proceeding west from Gavers one soon encounters a slight hill. From the little hill, the road bears in a semi-circle to the right and then back to the left again, as though in bygone days a huge creature had scooped up a mouth full of earth and the Indians had followed the tooth marks around to form a road.
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Morning Journal • Morgan’s Raid 150th Anniversary • July, 25th, 2013 • 13 As the semi-circle straightens out again, one comes to a second and higher hill which overlooks the Fleming farm and New Lebanon Church. When Daily topped the second hill, he found himself facing the advance guard of Morgan’s Army not more than a Cleveland Indians well-hit home run ball, away.
When the door opened, General Morgan was confronted by a tall, plainly dressed farm woman, who stood in front of a table, under which Johnny, whom we have already met, and his two little sisters, sat staring speechless at the horseman in front of their door. Near them sat an elderly lady who gently rocked a cradle containing a husky 3-month-old baby boy.
The Confederates instantly leveled their carbines on Daily and ordered him to “halt.” Jess Daily’s courage left him as fast as air leaves a tire in a blow-out. Wheeling his horse, he made a dash for liberty and Lisbon.
Morgan said, “Begging your pardon, m’am, do you have milk and water in the spring house across the road?” “Yes, sir,” came the proud reply. “Well,” replied Morgan, “if you
Now the sharp turn, down the hill to the left, took Daily out of range for the moment, but as soon as he rounded the semicircle and advanced up the smaller hill, Morgan’s men came in range from the larger hill and dust spots were rising before and behind him and the fence stakes on either side of the road were exploding like torpedoes. Morgan’s men were riding tired horses and Daily only had jogged his horse out from Lisbon, causing it to be just properly warmed up. So, by the time Morgan’s men reached the little hill, Daily was out of range and out of sight, and that gallant horse was giving life to save its rider. The day was hot and Elizabeth Ewing and her children lingered on the lawn after Jess Daily has passed by on his mission, headed west. Then suddenly the Ewings could hear shooting in the direction of New Lebanon Church. A short time later, Daily flashed by on his beautiful horse and sang out as he passed “Into the house and bar your door. They are killing everyone.” Needless to say, the Ewings were in the house with door barred in record time. Then all too soon the road was full of horses and riders, and the first of them seemed to be stopping just beyond the house. A tall man alighted from his horse, and brushing the dust from his hat as he came up the path, crossed the porch and rapped on the door. Elizabeth Ewing was certainly frightened, but nothing could be gained by keeping the door barred with the road in front of her home full of Confederate mounted soldiers as far as she could see to the west.
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will share the milk and water with my men and me, I pledge you the honor of a Kentucky gentleman that no harm shall come to you or yours.” “Certainly, I will help you,” said Elizabeth. “Excuse me, please, while I get my new buckets.” While Elizabeth Ewing was gone to the kitchen for the buckets, General Morgan stood smiling at Johnny and his little sisters who were huddled under the table. Suddenly Nancy, the younger child, began to whimper and turning to the grandmother, Morgan said. “Soothe the child, madam. I assure you of her mother’s safe return.” And the grandmother answered, “From one Morgan to another, I hope you will keep your word.” Bowing, Morgan replied “Good, then your name is the same as mine; I will keep my promise.”
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14 • Morning Journal • Morgan’s Raid 150th Anniversary • July, 25th, 2013 Elizabeth Ewing returned with the buckets and General Morgan led the way from the house. When they came to the walk that crossed the road to the springhouse, Morgan said, “Clear the path for the lady.” So my grandmother crossed the road to the springhouse and came to Morgan with a bucket of milk in each hand. When the milk was all gone, she carried water to Morgan until all the soldiers were satisfied. Then Morgan, the Raider, escorted the lady back to her house, bowed politely, thanking her for her services, mounted his horse and swung his arm to the right, to indicate to his advance guard that they were to proceed to the right, down Route 518 and not up to the left on Route 164 toward Lisbon, and Morgan’s Army again was on the march.
At this point, Elizabeth became panicky in earnest, and grabbed Sam’s hands, she begged, “Be careful, Sam. Morgan is every inch a soldier and his men would shoot anyone, including themselves if be said to.” Gently freeing himself from his wife’s clinging hands, Same gave with a merry laugh and replied, “Well, Liz dear, as long as Morgan’s men keep busy shooting themselves, we will be safe here from them. I should not be standing here talking to you, but you have been through a trying experience, so here goes, but fast.”
Union General Shackleford
Meanwhile the Wayne Home Guard had espied the dust column down the Gavers-West Point Rd., and scarcely had the dust settled at Ewings from the departing Morgan Army, when Captain Donaldson and the Wayne Home Guard came dashing in pursuit of Morgan. Sam Ewing stopped at his home to find out for himself if his loved ones were all right and was overjoyed to find all OK. When Sam could stop hugging his wife, and the little ones long enough to get a full breath, Elizabeth said, “Oh Sam. Frank and the horses.” “Easy, Elizabeth,” came the happy reply, “Morgan went straight through without stopping at the farm.” (Sam Martin is the present owner.) “You know, that Morgan has been stealing every horse he came to, so early this morning I took Frank (eldest son) and our horses away north in the Hephner Woods to meet Joe Benner and Johnny Roseburg and their horses. They are nearly up to McGeehan’s Mill” (Earnest Williams home.) “And now, dear, I really must rejoin the Home Guard and help capture Morgan.”
“A messenger from Captain Burbick’s Home Guard unit, who is approaching from West Point eluded Morgan by rising south at Prosperity and then west at Billy Johnson’s Corners on the Glasgow-Summitville Road. He joined us at the foot of McCullough’s hill and this is his report.”
“Shackleford is coming north on the Steubenville Road from Highlandtown. Jim Todd and Ed Huston and their neighbors have the Steubenville Road north of Prosperity blocked by fallen trees. Alec Todd, the Ramseys and their neighbors have Black’s Road from Route 518 to Lisbon blocked the same way, while Dave Crubaugh and George Hammond and their neighbors have the creek road from West Beaver Church to the Glasgow-Summitville Road timber-blocked to a standstill.” Elizabeth Ewing’s face lighted up like a clear sky at sunrise, and patting Sam on the shoulder, she said. “Well, hurry home, Sam. We must milk the cows before supper. I gave Morgan all the milk. Now catch the Home Guard and good luck, dear.” As Burbick’s messenger had reported to Captain Donaldson, Shackleford was proceeding toward Route 518 at top speed from Highlandtown. But he arrived at Beaver Creek just in time to see the rear guard of
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Morning Journal • Morgan’s Raid 150th Anniversary • July, 25th, 2013 • 15 Morgan’s Army disappear to the east of Prosperity Corners on Route 518. The Robinson farm home (Peter Chestnut’s farm today), is near the point at which Shackleford discovered that he had missed Morgan. So Shackleford appealed to Mr. Robinson to lead him on a bypass to overtake Morgan. Accordingly, Squire Robinson led Shackleford across a hayfield to a by-road that led to Dobson’s Mill (a water power mill) and crossing the creek there, Shackleford followed the Dobson outlet north to Route 518 in time to meet Captain Donaldson’s Home Guard unit, but too late to intercept Morgan. However, Morgan’s course was nearly run. Captain James Burbick at the head of the Center and Madison Township Home Guard units topped the little hill, where Morgan’s Monument used to stand, just as Morgan and his men topped the hill where Morgan’s Monument now stands today, directly on the Wayne and Madison Township line. The road to Morgan’s left was timber-blocked and the rebel chiefton knew that Shackleford was right at his heels. So holding aloft a white flag, Morgan rode out across the intervening distance between, the armies, and Captain Burbick advanced alone to meet him. When they met, Morgan bowing to Burbick, said, “I surrend to the Army of the United States.” and Burbick replied, “As a commissioned officer of the United States Army, I accept your sword and the surrender of your Confederate unit.” Then there followed a short silence, broken by the cheers of the Center and Madison Home Guard units, and by the rapid approach of General Shackleford’s horse as he worked his way through Morgan’s ranks. Wheeling his horse beside Captain Burbick and facing Morgan, Shackleford said to Morgan, “I demand your immediate and unconditional surrender to the Army of the United States.” Morgan replied, “I have already surrendered to Captain Burbick.” Shackleford roared, “Yes, but who in the hell is Captain Burbick?”As any Lisbon people know, Captain James Burbick was a veteran of the Mexican War, and furthermore had been commissioned by the United States Army as Chief Recruiting Officer and Drill Master for the Center Township contingency of draftees and enlistees, and eclipsing all other considerations, Jim Burbick was not the type of man who got pushed around by anyone. Guiding his horse away from Shackleford and facing him directly, Burbick said, “Captain James Burbick, sir, at your service. Veteran of the Mexican War, Chief Recruiting Officer and Drill Master for Center Township Home Guard.” As you notice, the words that Captain Burbick used were quite respectful, but his flashing eyes and voice fairly vibrating with anger were not respectful.
Of course, General Shackleford far outranked Captain Burbick, as they both knew quite well. But the general himself was shocked at his own ill-advised inquiry as to the identity of Burbick, and by the time Burbick had completed his harsh-voiced personal introductions, Shackleford had himself well in hand. So in reply to Burbick, he said, “Congratulations, Captain Burbick, on a good job well done, and to show my appreciation of your efforts, I am inviting you and Captain Donaldson and your men to share with my men and me the responsibility of conveying General Morgan and his men to the barracks at Wellsville. “However,” continued Shackleford, “when I report the capture of Morgan to my superiors, the sword will have to accompany the report.” At this instant, General Morgan cut in, ‘He is so right, Captain Burbick. I made my little play to discredit General Shackleford, but it was his nearness that caused me to surrender, and now I fear I have wronged a man with more courage than either General Shackleford or myself” It was now Captain Burbick’s turn to extend the olive branch, and with a chuckle he handed the sword to General Shackleford. Shackleford and Morgan shook hands. Then they each shook hands with Captain Burbick and the High Water Mark of the South’s invasion of the North during the Civil War, had been reached. At Lisbon, the fast return of Jess Daily and his shouted report, as his horse leaped one fallen tree after another, threw the Home Guard into a near panic. However, they stood by their cannon and behind their shielding trees until they knew for sure, that the crisis was over. William Myers’ horse died as a result of his fast return trip to Lisbon, but as Lisbon suffered no other fatalities, and Captain Burbick had managed to win some glory for Lisbon and himself, the community soon decided that Lisbon has been very lucky and by common consent, Morgan’s Raid was permitted to stand as is. Down Salineville way, the word had been passed that Morgan had thrown a road block across the railroad at Millport, and commandeered the train, and was going to attack Salineville from the coaches. So the Salineville Home Guard and the soldiers sent in from Pittsburgh, lined up at the depot in two columns. The front column kneeling, and the second column presenting arms over their shoulders. The passengers who were on the noon train, when it pulled in from Cleveland, were frightened out of their wits, and some women even fainted. But they all lived, and Salineville soon decided, as Lisbon had done, that their town had been lucky in Morgan’s Raid. Giving the Ewing Family’s version of Morgan’s Raid to the world, has been the life-long ambition of the author.
16 • Morning Journal • Morgan’s Raid 150th Anniversary • July, 25th, 2013
John Hunt Morgan’s Ill-Fated Raid (Editor’s note: This article, written by Lisbon resident Robert C. Cheeks, was first published in the May 1998 edition of America’s Civil War magazine. It is reprinted here with his permission.)
While apprentice tailors sewed powder bags out of flannel scraps, other townsmen gathered small arms. Squirrel rifles, muskets of various and sundry bores, shotguns, horse pistols, swords and axes were hastily assembled. Few of the villagers slept that night. In the morning, the men who were either too old or too young for Federal service quickly formed two companies of horse under the command of militia captains William Hostetter and James Burbick, and one company of infantry under Probate Judge Cornelius Curry, who acted as overall commander of the New Lisbon Militia. Soon after sunrise, the New Lisbon cannon squad had the dangerous old smoothbore (which had killed a couple of men several years earlier and blown the arm off another unfortunate volunteer) rammed full with steel and iron from the blacksmith shops.
Aroused and alarmed, Ohio militiamen scoured southeastern Ohio on the trail of the wily Confederate raider John Hunt Morgan. Near the hamlet of New Lisbon, one Buckeye militia captain did the unthinkable: He actually brought Morgan and his hard-riding Kentuckians to bay. General John Hunt
By Robert C. Cheeks
On Saturday night, July 25, 1863, the church bells in the village of New Lisbon, Ohio, chimed urgently in the warm, muggy air. There was good reason for the alarm. Outriders had brought the unwelcome news that infamous Confederate raider Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan and his men were on their way to burn and pillage. The citizenr y rallied in the square and, after much haranguing and confusion, began to develop a plan to defend their town. The blacksmith shops were open, forges lit and ammunition prepared for the lone artillery piece available to the community, a Revolutionary War-era brass smoothbore complete with its own carriage and caisson.
While the militia formed in the village square, Columbiana County Deputy Treasurer John Sturgeon quickly gathered up the rather limited wealth—described as “a little gold and silver and some greenbacks”—of the farming community. Sturgeon, acting under the auspices of the New Lisbon Union League, climbed aboard his wagon just after sunrise and headed north toward the presumed safety of Knox Township in the northwest corner of the county As good fortune would have it, Sturgeon would miss Morgan’s raiders by a few short hours. Several miles southeast of New Lisbon, a similar scene was being enacted at the West Beaver Presbyterian Church on the West Point-Hanoverton Road just above the west fork of Little Beaver Creek. Parishioners and farmers had erected an abatis across the road outside the church to block Morgan should he come that way. The alarm was also being sounded in East Liverpool, a bustling pottery center on the Ohio River. Captain James W. Gaston had rallied the home guard, some 50 strong, who were now busily marching about downtown. Telegraph wires
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Morning Journal • Morgan’s Raid 150th Anniversary • July, 25th, 2013 • 17
Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan, depicted at far left by Noel Pantig, and his Confederates gallop into Washington, Ohio, in July 1863. When New Lisbon residents heart that the Rebel raider was headed their way, they rallied and formed a militia to defend their town.
sang with Gaston’s request to Maj. Gen. William T.H. Brooks, commanding the Department of the Monongahela at Pittsburgh, for a regiment of Union regulars. While waiting for an answer, Gaston shanghaied a number of well-known “Copperheads,” forcing these sympathizers of the Southern cause into the front ranks, much to the amusement of his loyalist militia. While worried Ohio residents prepared for action, Morgan and his men camped for the night just north of the sleepy Jefferson County hamlet of Bergholz. Early the next morning,
they rode boldly into the village of Monroeville, near the southwestern border of Columbiana County and began to pillage and plunder. “Paddy” Kerr, an Irish immigrant who had established a blacksmith shop in town, was pressed into service as a guide. Kerr at first rebuffed Confederate demands, but a deftly delivered blow with the flat side of a calvalryman’s sword changed the recalcitrant Irishman’s mind. Mounted on a fine Kentucky thoroughbreds, Major W.B. Way’s 9th Michigan Cavalry (under the overall command of
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18 • Morning Journal • Morgan’s Raid 150th Anniversary • July, 25th, 2013 Brig. Gen. James W. Shackelford) overtook the Rebels outside Monroeville just after 8 a.m. and opened up with effective carbine fire. In the meantime, two of Morgan’s dust covered scouts reported that Salineville, a village a few miles away, was full of Federal infantry—the 14th Pennsylvania Reserves had begun to take up positions in the town after a four-hour ride
Morgan’s rear guard gave stout resistance, shooting off their remaining ammunition before surrendering. A section of Federal horse artillery dropped trail in the Monroeville cemetery, went into battery and opened an ineffective fire on the fleeing riders of Morgan’s main body. It was a running gun battle now, the cacophonous reports of horse pistols and carbines clearly audible in Salineville. At West Grove Cemeter y, near the corner of Jefferson, Carroll and Columbiana Counties, Way’s Michigan men got close enough to Morgan’s raiders to open a thunderous volley that knocked three Rebels out of their saddles. Union soldiers carried the wounded men across the road to the home of John Moore and placed them on the porch. The Moores gave them water and tended their wounds the best they could. By sundown, however, two of the raiders had died, and their bodies were taken back across the road to the cemetery and buried.
Militiamen take cover behind an Impromptu Barricade and fire on Morgan’s men in a desperate attempt to slow the raiders’ march across Ohio. The defenders The Michigan cavalry harwere usually poorly equipped and insufficiently trained. ried Morgan’s men as they made their way out the Mechanicstown Road. The on open-air flatcars. The scouts also reported that Yankee cav- rolling battle took the combatants across one farm and then to alrymen—Major George W. Rue’s amalgamated unit com- the Sharp farm, where the raiders made a stand. A young Fedposed of the 9th Kentucky and U.S. Regulars—were riding eral officer, Lieutenant Charles W. Fiske of the 7th Michigan, hard from Hammondsville. Morgan, who was running out of was unsaddled by a brilliant shot from some unknown Kenoptions, ordered his rear guard to make a stand and give tuckian. He would be the final casualty in the Morgan raid. themselves up for the sake of the main body. The general Way’s Michigan cavalr ymen broke off the pursuit and abandoned his fancy carriage drawn by two fine white horses, returned to Salineville. The Michiganders had all but broken mounted a mare hitched to the back of the buggy and swiftly John Morgan. In the two skirmishes and the running fight that followed, they had killed two Southerners at West Grove rode away. Cemetery, taken 240 prisoners and wounded 25 to 30 other
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Morning Journal • Morgan’s Raid 150th Anniversary • July, 25th, 2013 • 19 men. The Federals’ last charge had shattered the Confederate stand. Half the Rebels fled across the adjacent fields, while Morgan and the remainder galloped westward toward Norristown. Morgan could see his men scrampering across the fields, and he subsequently pulled his command together for a hasty rendezvous. Once united, Morgan directed the exhausted and fought-out column to halt. They would rest where they were, on the road to the Summitville Catholic Church. No Federal cavalry followed, and the Kentuckians were given a much-need respite. After a few minutes, the raiders mounted up and crossed into Columbiana County. Along the way, they picked up a 17year-old youth, John H. Carey, who was on his way to church with his sisters, and forced him to act as a guide. He was soon released when they came upon militia Captain William Swaney, who was threatened with death if he did not expeditiously lead the Rebels to their desired location, Babbs Island on the Ohio River.
Nearly 100 locals followed the Rebel column well out of sight—some mounted, others on foot. They were determined to monitor the raiders’ flight and render whatever assistance
The Ohio State Penitentiary, where Morgan and his men were incarderated after being convicted of horse stealing.
Morgan skirted the Catholic church southwest of Summitville and rode up a gentle ridge. In the distance, maybe a mile and half away, he could make out the Bethesda Presbyterian Church. Horses and carriages were tied up outside, and Morgan, wishing to avoid any confrontation, moved due east, crossed the tracks of the Cleveland & Pittsburgh Railroad and then blundered onto a millrace, a vestige of the old Sandy and Beaver Canal. The millrace was full of water, and the Rebels were unable to cross. The column therefore turned north and continued for a quarter of a mile until it came upon a bridge that led east onto the rolling fields of Squire John Williard’s impressive holdings.
But fighting preachers were far from Morgan’s mind at the time. His men and horses were exhausted. If they could make it to the Ohio River and cross it, they just might get back home. It was a fast-fading hope, but the column was still moving and had not clashed with Shackleford’s Federals for nearly an hour. Bone-weary as the raiders were, they had to press on.
All Morgan’s efforts at moving undetected on a circuitous route had come to naught, since at that very moment the good people in the church were being informed that the notorious raider was close at hand. The preacher, Reverend David. M. Miller, shouted from the pulpit: “Flee from the wrath to come! Go and wait not on the order of your going!” With that, a regular stampede started. Out the door they ran, men, women, and children. Horses were unhitched and carriages were loaded with fleeing families. All galloped away pell-mell.
It was just after 11 a.m. when the column debouched from heavy woodland and rode onto the Daniel McAllister property. There they picked up the West Point-Hanoverton Road and filed onto the dirt road heading eastward, Morgan in the lead. The raiders continued to loot and plunder as they moved. At James Donaldson’s house, the pantry was emptied and the springhouse cleaned out. The Rebels also tried to ride a big young colt that Donaldson had been unable to break. The expert Kentucky horsemen soon had the colt broken and
they could to the cavalry. Reverend Miller, a borrowed sword in his hand, joined the men following Morgan.
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20 • Morning Journal • Morgan’s Raid 150th Anniversary • July, 25th, 2013 serving the Confederacy. The column continued along the valley of the west fork of Little Beaver Creek past Lebanon Presbyterian Church, toward Gavers, a tiny, one-store hamlet five miles south of New Lisbon. About this time, the New Lisbon Militia crested the hill on Hephner Hollow Road overlooking Gavers, while Way and his cavalr ymen left Salineville riding hard for Gavers.
blooded, Kentucky-born mare, managed to escape along with Harbaugh. Maus, however was not so fortunate and fell into the hands of the Confederates. Morgan came riding up— Maus later described him as an “alert, unkempt, unshaven man in gray blouse and planter’s hat”—and began to question his prisoner. Morgan asked how far it was to the Ohio River and to what organization Maus belonged. Maus proudly responded, “The New Lisbon Militia, Captain James Burbick’s cavalry company.”
Judge Curry led the militia down the hill to the Gavers Morgan looked eastward, crossroads, their battle flags silent for a moment, then said: uncased and snapping briskly in the summer air. The local An 83-year-old Rue visited Morgan’s Monument with “I will now send you to your command, accompanied by fife and drum corps sounded his wife on September 21, 1910. The monument an appropriate martial accom- commemorating the Confederate raider’s surrender two officers and a flag of truce, to confer with your officers on paniment. Cavalr y commin- had been erected the previous month. this proposition. I do not want gled with infantry in random order. No videttes were thrown out—none of the officers, bloodshed. If they will allow me, I will pass peacably on to the elected that morning, had thought of it. The men halted on Ohio River and will not destroy any private property, nor take the northeast side of the road and began to fell ironwood trees anything.” to build abatis. The New Lisbon cannon dropped trail just to Daily, in the meantime, had galloped back to his militia the rear of the militia’s line of battle on the edge of a woodlot, cohorts. He jumped his horse over the abatis, much to the the gun covering the crossroads and the western approach. amazement of onlookers, and shouted, “Morgan is a-coming, The militia worked tirelessly for some time to complete the run for your lives!” barricade. Then scouts were sent westward on the West Daily’s remark sent a chill down many men’s spines and Point-Hanoverton Road, but they soon returned without locating Morgan. Captain Hostetter and his mounted company destroyed the icy resolve of the erstwhile patriots. One shoutgrew restless and decided to strike out for Salineville in case ed, “Men save your lives!” With that timorous exclamation, the New Lisbon Militia began to break up. the Rebels had dropped below the creek. Later, three more scouts—Lieutenant Charlie Maus, Tom Daily and P.W. Harbaugh—were ordered to head west and search for the elusive Rebels. They had not gone far and were cresting a steep hill near the Fleming farm when they stumbled into Morgan’s skirmish line. Daily, mounted on a fine,
Just then Charlie Maus and two Confederate officers, bearing a flag of truce, came galloping toward the militia’s redoubt. Burbick and his cavalrymen quickly rode off and hid in the nearby woods. When Maus road up to the abatis, he recognized Judge Curry hiding off to the left and shouted for
Morning Journal • Morgan’s Raid 150th Anniversary • July, 25th, 2013 • 21 him to come forward and speak to the Rebels. The judge wanted to know what the flag of truce meant, and Maus shouted for him to come down and find out. Maus’ captors wanted Curry to accompany them back to Morgan to parley, but Curry refused because he had no horse, or so he said. The judge pointed out Burbick, who had ridden over to hear the discussion, and suggested that he go with the Confederates instead. Burbick agreed and tried to get himself exchanged for Maus, but the raiders refused, saying both men would have to return to General Morgan.
paroles since the New Lisbon Militia was not a state-authorized body. He would, however, guarantee Morgan’s safe passage if the Confederate column bypassed New Lisbon and struck out for East Liverpool without plundering the countryside. Morgan agreed, on the condition that Maus and Burbick would continue to act as guides.
The column resumed travel slowly, the exhausted men and horses hobbling down the road. Just east of Prosperity Corners, where the West Point-Hanover ton Road intersects the Steubenville Pike, Morgan called a halt. By then his horsemen were strung out all the way back to Gavers. South of the road, Morgan and his beyond the West staff were resting on the front porch of Force of the Little Beaver Creek, MorJohn MacDonald’s gan could make out house, west of a great deal of dust, Gavers, while the farmer’s daughter indicating the presAlice MacDonald, After fighting a running gun battle with Major W.B. Way’s 9th Michi- ence of a large body fetched water for the gan Cavalry near Monroeville, Morgan tried to move through the coun- of riders. general and his men. tryside undetected. The New Lisbom Militia erected a barricade at In gratitude, the Gavers on the West Point-Hanoverton Road, however, and intercepted Major Rue had Rebels stole Alice’s the Confederates. Meanwhile, Rue’s Federals had noticed large clouds been leading a force pony (she retrieved of dust stirred up by Morgan’s column and were galloping toward of 400 U.S. Regulars the animal the next Prosperity Cornders. out of Salineville up day). Morgan and the Steubenville Pike when he spotBurbick talked for several minutes. The Confederate general asked where Gen- ted Morgan’s marching dust. He located a New Lisbon physieral Shackleford, his primary adversary, might be, but Bur- cian, Dr. David Marquis, who volunteered to act as his guide, bick did not know the answer. The antagonists then discussed and charged after the raiders. Rue could tell that he would Morgan’s proposition. Burbick informed the general that he never be able to intercept the Rebel column in time. Marquis was not empowered to accept his surrender or to issue suggested that the Federals turn east along the creek and
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22 • Morning Journal • Morgan’s Raid 150th Anniversary • July, 25th, 2013 make for a farm lane he knew that might place them ahead of Morgan’s raiders. Rue quickly agreed, and the Federal cavalrymen stormed down the creek bed and began to gallop toward the farm lane. The Kentucky loyalist reached the West Point-Hanoverton Road ahead of Morgan and quickly formed his makeshift command in line of battle. No sooner had the Federal line been formed than Morgan’s videttes rode over a small rise and drew up short. Calling for his column to mount up after its rest stop, Morgan asked Burbick if he would accept the surrender of his “sick, wounded and worn-out soldiers.” Without waiting for a reply, Morgan rode back through his column and did not return for several minutes. When he did come back to the van of the column, he asked Burbick to accept the surrender of his command on the conditions that his men to allowed to keep their sidearms, be immediately paroled and be allowed to return to Kentucky. Burbick repeated to Morgan what he had told him at Gavers, that he was not authorized to accept his surrender. “I can surrender to whom I please,” Morgan argued. Burbick gave in. A flag of truce was prepared, and the captain went to the rear, where he expected the approaching Federal cavalrymen would soon arrive. When Burbick realized that the Federals were coming to the front of the column, however, he turned and started back. Morgan was flustered by the sudden appearance of Rue’s calvary and, since Burbick had not yet returned, tried the old ruse of calling for the Federals’ surrender. Rue would have none of it. “Tell General Morgan to surrender,” the major informed the Confederate emissaries, “and do it damned quick, or fight!” Morgan stuck a rod with a handkerchief tied to the end into Charlie Maus’ hand. Maus quickly rode forward with two Confederate officers, who drew rein at the intersection of the Black Road, bordering Wayne and Madison townships. “Morgan surrenders!” Maus shouted. Several Federal calvarymen rode forward. As they approached the Confederates, the Rebels shouted, “We surrender to Captain Burbick!” Burbick, back from his ride to the rear, rode up to Rue and confirmed Morgan’s surrender. Rue and his immediate superior, General Shackleford, who later arrived at the scene, refused to accept Morgan’s surrender to the New Lisbon captain. Their refusal would have immediate repercussions. Morgan asked to be permitted to return to the field, preferring to die in battle rather than surrender to the Federals, who would undoubtedly treat him as a horse thief. But his request was denied. Instead, Morgan and his command (384 men and 400 horses) were taken that afternoon to Salineville, where a special train was ready to carry them to Wellsville, Ohio.
Early the next day, Morgan, under heavy guard, was sent by train to Cincinnati to stand trial. Found guilty of horse stealing, he and his men were incarcerated at the Ohio State Penitentiary. Insulted and disgraced by state authorities, Morgan and his officers had their hair sheared close to their skulls and their breads shaved, as if they were civilian criminals. It was an ignominious end to a comedy of errors. Morgan’s surrender became controversial immediately after his capture. A letter written the next day by Ohio Governor David Tod to Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside, commander of the Army of Ohio, stated: “I shall have some material facts to lay before you touching Morgan’s surrender to Captain Burbick. Keep the matter open until I arrive.” The following day, Rod wrote Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton: “I visit General Burnside tonight to settle the question that Morgan raises as to his surrender. From what I can learn of the matter, it is gammon on Morgan’s part.” L.W. Potter, a member of the New Lisbon Militia who was acting as the governor’s agent, took statements from James Burbick, Charlie Maus and Judge Cornelius Curry. The affable Maus, whom Potter gave $7, was sent to the governor with the affidavits as soon as they were taken. Maintaining that Burbick was not a proper officer of the state militia, Tod wrote to Michigan in prison that “I must, therefore, treat your surrender or yielding up as having been made to the forces under the command of the United States officers and therefore, as Chief Executive of this State, I can claim no control over you.” After the surrender, Morgan had given James Burbick a beautiful white mare that had been stolen from a circus in Indiana, but the captain lost her to General Shackleford a few hours later. Morgan had given Maus his Colt revolver, a finegrained leather holster and ornate bridle, telling the lieutenant that he admired his bravery. Maus was allowed to keep the gifts, but he later gave Morgan’s pistol to his great-uncle, Freeman Ward. Another relative, Alice Burnett, inherited the bridle and subsequently presented it to President Franklin Roosevelt on his birthday in 1934. After escaping form the Ohio Penitentiary in late November 1863, Morgan was killed in Greeneville, Tenn., the next September. Judge Curry served two more years on the bench, then joined a Salem, Ohio, law firm. Charlie Maus enlisted in the Union Army, served honorably and became a sergeant. But James Burbick, the humble militia captain who did the unthinkable—actually capturing the elusive John Hunt Morgan—retired from public life and disappeared from history, unhonored and unremembered...until now.
Morning Journal • Morgan’s Raid 150th Anniversary • July, 25th, 2013 • 23
24 • Morning Journal • Morgan’s Raid 150th Anniversary • July, 25th, 2013
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