In the Wrong Spot? Considering the First Ohio Invasion Marker

Courtesy hmdb.org

I’ve always enjoyed the story beyond the story, meaning the more obscure facets of our history, particularly when it comes to the Civil War. And at Buffington Island State Memorial there is one marker that speaks to a more obscure portion of the Civil War history of Meigs County.

Marker 1-53, The First Ohio Invasion, is located at the State Memorial. It provides a brief summary of Albert G. Jenkins’ raid in September 1862 that saw Jenkins with about 350-400 men cross the Ohio River, march eleven miles, and return to what was then Virginia near Racine. In the annuals of the Civil War, it is but a sentence, a mere mention. But the fact that Confederates crossed into Ohio, nearly a year before Morgan’s more famous raid, is an interesting story to ponder.

Jenkins’ Raid through Virginia and into Ohio lasted a few weeks. It consisted of 550 men of the 8th and 14th Virginia Cavalry Regiments and the raid was about 500 miles in length. When the raiders reached Ravenswood, Virginia, Jenkins divided his men into two forces – a smaller command of 150 men to head to Point Pleasant along the Virginia shore while Jenkins took the larger group into the Buckeye State to cross over “the boot.” Jenkins crossed into Ohio at the Sand Creek Bar. And that is where the wrong spot idea comes to life.

The West Virginia historical marker in front of the Great Bend Museum indicates the correct location of Jenkins' crossing

It is four and a half miles from where the Confederates actually crossed at Sand Creek Bar to the marker’s current location at the State Memorial. From Sand Creek Jenkins’ force took a route towards Racine that initially followed County Road 338A (the Great Bend Road). In general, this course is away from Portland, not towards it. The closest Jenkins and his troops would be to the current location of the marker would be four miles at the intersection of Ohio 124 and County Road 338A. At that point the Confederates turned in a more westerly direction towards Racine.

If one is standing in the State Memorial and reading the First Ohio Invasion marker, one would probably think that Jenkins crossed within a relatively close distance from the marker. The text on the marker states “near this point” which reinforces that thought. However, Jenkins crossed miles away from the marker’s position and proceeded to head away from the current location. Therefore, the present location of the marker is a bit misleading.

I would suggest that the First Ohio Invasion marker would be better positioned if moved from the State Memorial to the Park and Ride location near US 33. The text on the marker becomes more relevant, and the “near this point” statement has more context as passersby would understand that they are near the crossing point. In speaking with the Ohio History Connection, seemingly it just takes a person to move the marker and then the location updated with the OHC along with a photo of the new position and supporting information supporting the new location.

This move might be a nice project for the Meigs County Historical Society in conjunction with the Buffington Island Battlefield Preservation Foundation to take on. While I live three hours away from Buffington and the Jenkins’ Raid route, I would be wiling to help as I can to make this move happen. Those interested can write to me at darryl@walkingwithhistory.com.