Battle of Corydon
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| Morgan's Raid in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio |
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| Tebbs Bend – Lebanon – Corydon – Buffington Island – Salineville |
The Battle of Corydon took place July 9, 1863, in Harrison County, Indiana, during Morgan's Raid in the American Civil War. It was the only Civil War battle in Indiana and resulted in a Confederate victory, which enabled Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan to secure supplies and money before turning eastward to Ohio.
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[edit] Prelude
On July 2, 1863, General Morgan, with over 2,400 hand-picked cavalrymen, rode into Kentucky to disrupt the communications of the Union Army of the Cumberland, which began its operations against Braxton Bragg’s Army of Tennessee (Tullahoma Campaign) on June 23. Crossing the Cumberland River at Burkesville, Morgan’s column advanced to the Green River, where it was deflected by a Union regiment at Tebbs Bend on July 4. Morgan surprised and captured the garrison at Lebanon, Kentucky, and then rode northward via Springfield, Bardstown and Garnettsville. On July 8, Morgan crossed the Ohio River at Mauckport, Indiana, despite orders to remain south of the river in Kentucky. Union military officials called out the militia in Indiana and Ohio and worked feverishly to organize a defense.
[edit] The attack
At 11:00 a.m. on June 9, the Confederates reached the outskirts of Corydon, the county seat of Harrison County. Blocking their way a mile south of town was a line of hasty works manned by the Sixth Indiana Legion under Col. Lewis Jordan. There was no question that Morgan’s guns could have made short work of these 400 farmers-turned-soldiers, but time was of the essence as the Union was already gathering troops for an effective pursuit. Morgan’s main body could not be delayed. The Indiana Home Guard would have to be dealt with by the advance elements. Jordan’s small force was drawn in a battle line behind a hastily thrown up barricade of logs.
Using an artillery section and one battalion to pin the defenders, Col. Richard Morgan, the general's brother, launched a flank attack that quickly routed the Hoosiers just as General Morgan arrived with the main body of Confederates force. After a short but spirited battle of less than an hour, Jordan retired with his militia into Corydon, but soon surrendered when Rebel artillery fired a pair of shells into the town.
[edit] Outcome
Accounts vary as to the number of casualties, but the most reliable evidence suggests that Jordan lost 4 killed, 10-12 wounded, and 355 captured. Morgan counted 11 dead and 40 wounded raiders. Among the dead Federals was a civilian toll keeper, who perished near his tollgate. Raiders also killed a Lutheran minister on his farm, four miles from the battlefield, and stole horses from several other farmers.
General Morgan led his division into Corydon. Recognizing their spirited defense, Morgan paroled all of the Home Guard as if they had been regular Federal soldiers. Gleeful Confederates then spent the afternoon plundering stores and collecting ransom money. Morgan threatened to torch three local mills, and demanded amounts ranging from $700 to $1,000 from each to save them from destruction. The county treasurer paid Morgan $690, and two leading stores $600 each. Later that day, the raiders left Corydon and continued their northward ride, scouring the countryside to collect fresh horses and additional booty. Morgan then turned his force towards Ohio, where they would be thwarted at the Battle of Buffington Island in their attempt to recross the Ohio River to safety.
[edit] References
- U.S. War Department, The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, 70 volumes in 4 series. Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, 1880-1901.
- Mingus, Scott L., "Morgan's Raid," CHARGE! Magazine, Volume 4, August, 2004, page 12-13. Used by permission of the Johnny Reb Gaming Society.
- CWACS Battle Summary for Corydon
- Corydon Battle Park
