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Archiver > OHLOGAN > 1999-02 > 0917993491


From: "John & Freda Jones" <>
Subject: [OHLOGAN-L] FW: [TNSUMNER-L] Battle of Buffington Island
Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 17:11:31 -0500


-----Original Message-----
From:Sterling Forsythe [mailto:]
Sent:Tuesday, February 02, 1999 6:55 AM
To:
Subject:[TNSUMNER-L] Battle of Buffington Island

Dear List Managers:

Please consider whether this is appropriate material for your respective
mailing lists, and post accordingly. Thank you for your consideration on
this.
Sterling Forsythe

****************************************************************************
*********

>From the :

> Subject:[KYWBTSVETS-L] Buffington Island, OH Preservation
> Date:Sun, 31 Jan 1999 20:35:12 -0500
> From:Glenn Belcher <>
> To:
>
> THE SECOND BATTLE OF BUFFINGTON ISLAND
>
> On July 19, 1863 Confederate forces under General John Hunt Morgan fought
> Union Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery and Navy Gunboats while attempting to
> cross the Ohio River at the Buffington Island ford at Portland in Meigs
> County, Ohio. After having traveled day and night in the saddle for over
> two weeks through southeastern Indiana and southern Ohio, the fight near
> Portland virtually ended what would become known as "Morgans Raid".
> Small as Civil War battles go, the Battle of Buffington Island was
> important for several reasons. It was one of only a few Civil War battles
> in which all branches of the Armed Forces were involved. There were at
> least two future United States Presidents engaged in the battle,
> (Rutherford B Hayes and William McKinley). Most important of all, the
> Battle of Buffington Island was the only Civil War battle fought in Ohio
> and ranks as one of only a few battles fought in the state involving
> Federal troops.
>
> Currently, another battle is being fought over the same ground. The
> Shelly Company of Thornville,Ohio is planning to strip sand and gravel
> from significant portions of the Battleground.
>
> Here in southeastern Ohio we have a battle site which is relatively
> pristine in its location and development which needs only to have the
> necessary recognition to make it a place of education and historical
> importance. Although there are twentieth century buildings present, the
> ground is relatively unchanged from what it was in 1863.
>
> The gravel companys latest proposal offered to set aside a few acres of
> the land and $100,000 as an appeasement to the public. In return, the
> public is reportedly required to drop all litigation or the monies will
> be used for the companys legal defense.The offer was reduced to $ 10,000
> and is now completely off the table !!
>
> No less than 52 Confederate dead were buried on the site by local
> residents after the battle and lie today in unmarked graves. Besides
> significantly altering the topography of the ground itself by the
> stripping process, the Shelly Company may very well mine the very bones
> of the soldiers buried there !!!!
>
> On February 18,1999, the Army Corps of Engineers, in conjunction with the
> EPA will be holding a meeting in Pomeroy with all parties involved to
> address permits for the mining and shipping of the gravel from the site.
> Write your Senators and Representatives to Congress in order to push for
> Federal Recognition of the site. One avenue may exist through the
> Department of the Interior.
>
> Contact Mr. Amos Loveday of the Ohio Historical Society Preservation
> Office and the Army Corps of Engineers (Huntington Office) urge them not
> to compromise our heritage for a few acres of land. The battlefield and
> burial sites need to be saved!
>
> Call or write today:
> Amos J. Loveday - Ohio Historical Society Preservation Office e-mail:
> 1-800-297-2470 or (614) 297-2470
> 567 E. Hudson St./Columbus, Ohio 43211
>
> Army Corps of Engineers (Huntington Dept): Attn. James Richmond -
> e-mail:
> Army Corps of Engineers (Huntington Dept): Attn. Michael Gheen
> e-mail:
> 502 Eighth Street, Huntington, WV 25701
>
> Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources
> Donald Anderson, Director
> e-mail:
> Fountain Square, 1930 Belcher Dr., Bldg. D-3, Columbus, OH 43224
>
> Write your Senators:
> c/o U.S. Senate, Washington DC 20510
> Your Congressman:
> c/o House of Representatives, Washington DC 20515.
>
> Or join the Buffington Island Battlefield Trust, a non-profit umbrella
> organization dedicated to the preservation of the battlefield and burial
> grounds of Morgan's Men. For more details, please contact:
> Marlitta H. Perkins
> Tony Ten-Barge
>
> Whatever you do, please do not forsake these brave Kentucky boys that
> fought so bravely and died for their beliefs, and for us, their
> descendants, and sadly lie buried far from their homes in Kentucky. It is
> our responsibility to care for them and see to it that their resting
> places are honored and treated with respect and reverence.
> Lets not turn our backs on them! Please share your
> thoughts/comments/suggestions with me.
> For our heritage !!
> Marlitta H. Perkins
> Spokes person, KY DIV SCV & Morgan's Men Association
> Officer, Buffington Island Battlefield Trust

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