Buffington Island was a Civil War battle that took place on July 19th, 1863; it was the largest battle to take place in Ohio during the Civil War. The battle was a direct result of Morgan’s Raid, an invasion of Confederate troops into the Northern States (including Indiana and Ohio) led by Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan. In response to the raid, Union troops pursued General Morgan and his fellow Confederates; General Morgan attempted escape by crossing the Ohio River at a ford near Buffington Island.
Several hundred of the Confederates succeeded in crossing the river before Union gunboats arrived. Morgan and his remaining soldiers retreated westward through Meigs and Gallia Counties and then moved in a more northeasterly direction. At Salineville, in Columbiana County, Union Cavalry under the command of Major W.B. Way and Major G.W. Rue surrounded Morgan's Raiders and succeeded in capturing Morgan and most of his command. Morgan's capture marked the end of Morgan’s Raid.