“They pillaged like boys”: Morgan’s Raiders July 13, 1863

Part of a series.

Relieved to be leaving Indiana, General Morgan thought that perhaps the worst was behind him. Unfortunately, being in Ohio met him with new troubles, proving to be more treacherous and trying than anything the raiders had encountered yet. 

During the Civil War, Ohio ranked as the 3rd most populous state in the Union with nearly 2.5 million residents—double the population of both Indiana and Kentucky. While many in Indiana had tried to resist, there simply were not enough of them to oppose the 2,500 raiders riding through their towns, and thus Morgan’s men made it to Ohio relatively unopposed. Of the 2,500 Confederates who had crossed into Indiana, just over 2,000 of them were left once they reached Ohio, as some had been captured or killed in Indiana. 

By 11:00 am, on Monday, July 18, 1863, Morgan and the rebel raiders crossed the Whitewater River running along the southern border between Indiana and Ohio. Once all made it into Ohio, Morgan ordered the burning of the large oak bridge spanning the river. 

As Indiana’s residents rejoiced that the raiders were gone, Ohio’s citizens began to panic. Sitting just across the state line is Harrison, Ohio. Warned of the raiders’ close proximity, those locals began preparations. They closed the shops, locked the doors and windows. Merchants stayed home, tending to their families. Many had hoped Morgan would not find his way to their community, but those hopes were dashed as members of Morgan’s advance guard rode into town and soon all of Morgan’s Rebel Cavalry had descended on this state border town.

Two local residents, Richard and Mary Simmonds, were returning home when the raiders surrounded them. The first Confederates to stop them took pity on the older couple allowing them to keep their horses and wagon, before sending them on their way. The Simmonds’ luck ran out a few blocks further, when they were stopped by a second group of raiders. This new group of Confederates took their horse and wagon, leaving the older couple no option but to walk home. 

The shopkeepers hoped the locked doors would dissuade the raiders from pilfering their goods for supplies, but unfortunately the raiders simply broke down the doors and shattered the windows. Once in the stores, they helped themselves to whatever was needed: food, saddles, shoes, spurs, or cash. In all, the stolen goods totaled around $2,000. Additionally, Morgan demanded a $1,000 ransom be paid for each mill in the area or else he would burn them. 

While in Indiana on numerous occasions, the officers stepped in to prevent outright looting of the shops, insisting that their men take only what was necessary. Perhaps the officers were too tired or distracted, but in the shops in Harrison, little was done to prevent the pillaging. One Harrison resident described the raiders’ time in town, saying: “They pillaged like boys robbing an orchard. It seemed to be a mania, senseless

and purposeless.” The rebels took bolts of fabric, tied them to their saddles and rode through the town with the cloth flapping in the wind behind them, others took ladies hats and dresses. In one account a raider took a bird cage containing three canaries, which he kept with him for the next few days.

The raiders spent only three to four hours in Harrison before moving further east. Riding through the Ohio countryside, Morgan knew the closer they got to Cincinnati the threat of potential danger increased. To complicate matters, they were forced to stay on well-traveled roads, due to the artillery pieces in their possession. 

Cincinnati posed a major obstacle for Morgan and his men. However, the general had a plan. Similar to some of his early actions in Indiana, Morgan split his forces. A small portion of the rebel cavalry headed towards Hamilton, Ohio, as a diversion. Before they reached Hamilton, they turned east to meet back up with Morgan’s main column. Along this route the small group captured a few residents of Hamilton. As had often happened in Indiana, the residents were paroled shortly after their capture. This time before they were released Morgan made sure that they overheard his “plan” to attack Hamilton. He hoped that upon their release they would tell the Union leaders in Cincinnati and the surrounding area what they had overheard. If so, perhaps he could skirt the city without attack as their attention would be elsewhere. 

In Hamilton, Union Major F. M. Keith wrote to General Ambrose Burnside, in Cincinnati, saying: 

Enemies advance through New Haven about 4 o’clock. New Haven is 16 miles from here. At that place they divided, part coming this way [Hamilton] and part going further west. I have about 600 men but only about 400 armed. Will fight to the last. 

In addition to the feint towards Hamilton, Morgan sent 500 men southeast toward Miamitown while the remaining men headed northeast. 

Outside of Miamitown, two of the raiders were shot and killed and three others wounded, including Lt. William Kirby of Co. G, 10th Kentucky Cavalry. Returning fire, the Confederates killed one of the Union soldiers from Collins’ 11th OH Battalion. The Union stand against the small contingent near Miamitown proved fruitful despite their own loss. The Union captured both Lt. Kirby as well as Ike Snow, a trusted and invaluable scout. 

The other two Confederate columns rejoined each other at Colerain Pike near Bevis, resting for a short bit. Morgan found three within his ranks familiar with Cincinnati and sent them into the city to gather information, including the number of troops stationed there and any possible movements. Unfortunately, one of the spies was captured. The other two, however, successfully made it back to Morgan to report that the city seemed to be in mass confusion, and nothing indicated that they were making an advance against the raiders. 

As their first day in Ohio faded to night skies, Morgan knew he had to keep pressing on but not stray too far from the Ohio River, unless an opportunity or need arose to cross back into the Kentucky’s moderate safety. Only time would tell what the next 12 days would bring.