Hi, Here's another story about an historic site with graveyard being threatened by industry. The message below was forwarded by Willi Waltrip, listowner of Clark-Champaign County Ohio list. Could someone send this to the cemetery activist list, as well? I don't think Willi is aware of that resource. Diane Mailto:dhettrick@earthlink.net -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 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: ajloveday@aol.com 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: jimr@mail.orh.usace.army.mil Army Corps of Engineers (Huntington Dept): Attn. Michael Gheen e-mail: mikeg@mail.orh.usace.army.mil 502 Eighth Street, Huntington, WV 25701 Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources Donald Anderson, Director e-mail: Don.Anderson@dnr.state.oh.us 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 cchase6@hotmail.com Tony Ten-Barge Tony.TenBarge@alliedsignal.com 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