The CWSAC Preservation Priority for the Buffington Island Battlefield (CWSAC # OH001) has not been assessed. It is a Class C site, "having observable influence on the outcome of a campaign. A four acre state owned parcel is listed in the National Register of Historic places for its historical association with John Hunt Morgan's Civil War raid into Ohio and Indiana; however its location is based on legend and hearsay. The battlefield should also be considered eligible for its archaeological potential for producing significant new information concerning Morgan's Raid, Civil War battlefields and battlefield archaeology in general. Morgan's Raid in July 1863 was the northernmost invasion by Confederate forces during the Civil War and the only major campaign carried out in the state of Ohio. Morgan's Ohio invasion was successful in disrupting the operations of Burnside's Army of the Ohio and Rosecran's Army of the Cumberland and it created panic over a wide area of Ohio and Indiana. Over 50,000 Ohio militia were mobilized to try to stop him. At the battle of Buffington Island Morgan's forces were routed, his artillery and baggage lost, and over 800 of his troopers killed or captured. Following the battle, Morgan's tactics turned from aggressive invasion to attempted escape. He was captured at Salineville, Ohio later in July.

The development of new battlefield archaeological survey techniques at sites such as Little Bighorn and Fallen Timbers now permit archaeologists to discern battlefield tactics and locate individual unit positions. These techniques have the potential to resolve historical discrepancies about the positions held by both sides in this battle as well as providing new information on the nature and state of Morgan's forces after his long trek through enemy territory. The amount of looting carried out by his troops during the raid may also be assessed by archaeological survey. The relatively undisturbed nature of the battlefield area increases its potential archaeological significance.

At present, historians debate the actual events of the battle and have developed conflicting accounts of the location and size of areas in which significant aspects of the battle occurred. Limited archaeological survey of a type now recognized as ineffective in dealing with battlefields has been carried out -- without success. The lack of a clear understanding of the Battle of Buffington Island increases the adverse impacts that destruction of portions of the site will create.

The portions of the Battlefield thought to include Morgan's main encampment and the area where Union General Edward H. Hobson's 2nd and 7th Ohio Cavalry attacked Col. Adam Johnson's 7th and 10th Kentucky Confederate regiments have been purchased by Shelley Materials Inc. for gravel mining operations. Shelley intends to begin mining operations within the year. Their time frame suggests mining of this portion of the battlefield site will continue for approximately forty years. Mining will destroy the archaeological and historical integrity of these areas and degrade, by destruction in part, the integrity of the entire battlefield. Furthermore, the entire battlefield lies on gravel bearing deposits which will become threatened by Shelley or other gravel mining operations in the future. In this area of Meigs County, Ohio, development of gravel mining probably constitutes the greatest threat to cultural resources of all types.

The proposed project will conduct an archaeological survey of a sample of the Buffington Island Battlefield, and in conjunction with the Ohio Historic Preservation Office, lay the groundwork for a "Civil War Trail" focused on Morgan's Raid through a series of regional meetings. The meetings are designed to bring interested parties together in a coordinated and directed effort. This is the most appropriate preservation strategy for the following reasons.

1. An archaeological survey designed to sample areas thought to be key battle positions will result in "ground truth" data that can resolve disputes concerning the size and location of significant areas of the battlefield. The resulting interpretation can be used to develop preservation recommendations for the entire battlefield area before mining operations are up to speed.
2. Information derived from the survey may persuade Shelley Materials to permit future archaeological work to mitigate the adverse effect of mining in significant areas of their portion of the battlefield. This information may influence state and local efforts to purchase and preserve battlefield areas to protect against future threats to the remainder of the site.
3. Public participation in the archaeological survey project and coordination among the Center for Historic and Military Archaeology, OHPO, Civil War Roundtables and other institutions will focus public attention of the significance, threats, and opportunities for preservation of the Buffington Island Battlefield and the other Ohio sites associated with Morgan's campaign. Public interest and support are key to preservation efforts where the threats are not subject of the federal regulatory process.

The objectives of this project are twofold. 1) carry out a professionally directed and staffed public archaeological survey of a sample of the Buffington Island Battlefield in order to assess the archaeological potential of the site and resolve disputes about the location and size of key aspects of the battle. 2) Utilize the public nature of this survey to develop a coordinated effort to identify, assess and interpret historic and archaeological sites associated with Morgan's raid in Ohio. Morgan's record-setting ride around Cincinnati, skirmishes at Bradbury Hill, the Gauntlet, and Bashan; the Battle of Buffington Island; Morgan's surrender and escape from the Ohio Penitentiary all have significant associations with the July 1863 Campaign.

1. A sixteen-day metal detection survey will be carried out under the direction of Dr. G. Michael Pratt, Center for Historic and Military Archaeology (CHMA), Heidelberg College. Historic Archaeological Research, Inc. will provide metal detector supervision and GPS location of all significant artifacts. A small crew of experienced metal detector operators and archaeological technicians will form the core of an otherwise volunteer crew that will carry out the actual survey. The Meigs County Historical Society has agreed to assist in obtaining landowner permission and arranging for suitable space for a field lab. All artifacts will be cleaned, identified and the results of the survey will be interpreted using GIS maps prepared in an ARCView format. The survey will be modeled on the 1995 survey of the Fallen Timbers Battlefield and will result in a formal site report.
2. Dr. Pratt, Dr. David Bush, CHMA, and Deputy SHPO Franco Ruffini will hold a series of meetings with Civil War interest groups; local historical societies; the Ohio Bicentennial Commission; and others. These meetings will propose development of a coordinated effort to identify and preserve sites associated with the 1863 confederate raid on Ohio. At least three such meetings will be held in different parts of Ohio. A summary of each meeting will be included in the project report.

The archaeological survey will be carried out in late May or early June to minimize crop damage and a final report of the survey and reports of the coordination meetings will be filed with the American Battlefield Protection Program by mid December 1999.

The Ohio Historic Preservation Office is a participant and supporter of this project. A letter of support is sent under separate cover by Mr. Amos Loveday, Ohio SHPO. A similar letter is in enroute from Mr. Paul Labovitz, NPS Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program, Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

In-Kind services are provided as an over match for the funds requested in this project and are detailed in the budget below. The four sources of contributed services are:

1. Heidelberg College -- consultants, archaeological field equipment and college facilities as indicated by contributed personnel and overhead;
2. OHPO -- consultants, travel and lodging;
3. Volunteer participation in the archaeological survey and three regional planning meetings; and
4. Meigs County Historical Society -- arrange for permission to survey and for donation of use of a field lab (To be arranged).

A major aspect of this project is public involvement and participation. The three organizational meetings are designed to develop and formalize a partnership among: Heidelberg's Center for Historic and Military Archaeology, OHPO, The Ohio Civil War Trails Commission, Civil War Round Tables, the Ohio Bicentennial Commission, Meigs County Historical Society, the Ohio Archaeological Council, Toledo Area Aboriginal Research Society and other groups with an interest in Morgan's Raid. The archaeological survey depends upon volunteer participants who will carry out much of the actual survey and recovery work. Similar projects in NW Ohio; Fort Recovery, 1998; Fallen Timbers, 1995; and Fort Miamis, 1981, 1982, 1983 & 1984 drew hundreds of volunteers for thousands of hours. Since the Civil War is of wider interest than these 1790s Northwest Indian War sites, volunteer participation is expected to be high in spite of the rural and remote location of the Buffington Island Battlefield

This project involved principals who are expert and have experience in archaeological survey, historic preservation, and public archaeology.

• G. Michael Pratt, Ph.D., Professor of Anthropology and Director, Center for Historic and Military Archaeology, Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio. Designed and directed archaeological survey of the Fallen Timbers Battlefield, 1995, a project which involved over 200 members of the general public. Has worked with NPS and ABPP personnel; federal, state, and local officials; and citizens groups in efforts to preserve the Fallen Timbers site. Professionally directed and supervised large scale public archaeology at the 1794-98 Fort Miamis (1981-1984).
• David R. Bush, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Anthropology, Center for Historic and Military Archaeology, Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio. Designed and directed archaeological survey and excavation of the Johnson's Island Civil War Prison Site (ongoing project). Worked with NPS personnel to establish Johnson's Island as a National Historic Landmark and developed public archaeology programs for all ages.
• Franco Ruffini, M.A., Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, archaeologist. Over 20 years experience at all levels of the OHPO. Knowledge and experience in holding public meetings, coordinating with citizens groups, and developing preservation plans.
• Richard Green, Historic Archaeological Research, Indianapolis, Ind. Metal Detector and GPS Specialist. Supervised metal detector operators, conducted GPS location survey, and prepared GIS maps for the Fallen Timbers Archaeological Project.