Heritage Luncheon 2013 - Part II

Lester Horwitz, author of The Longest Raid of the Civil War, was the guest speaker at this year's Heritage Luncheon. This year is the 150th anniversary of the raid of Confederate John Hunt Morgan's raid across parts of Indiana and Ohio. The raid was planned as a diversionary tactic designed to keep Union troops busy in the north while Confederate General Bragg and his troops retreated to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Following the battle of Stones River, Bragg and his troops had retreated to Tullahoma, Tennessee, a location Bragg felt was indefensible against the potential of an attack by Union Generals Henry Judah, William Rosencrans and Ambrose Burnside. Morgan's raid began with 2500 cavalry and ended with the surrender of 350 very tired men in West Point, Ohio. Of interest to us is the fact that Morgan and his men traversed much of Hamilton Co., stealing horses and provisions as needed to sustain this 1000-mile raid.

You may have noticed these signs posted around Hamilton County tracing the route Morgan and his men took through Hamilton Co. It must be remembered that the troops frequently separated into smaller groups as they searched out fresh horses and provisions, so the signs do not reflect all of the places affected by the raid. Deb Cyprych wrote a series of articles for The Tracer (see p. 23) documenting the claims for reimbursement from the state following the raid.






Sixty-five HCGS members and supporters attended this wonderful event. If you've never attended one in the past, consider attending next November when we welcome a new group of Lineage Society members -- including, perhaps, YOU!

Submitted by: Kathy Reed

Heritage Luncheon and 40th Anniversary Celebration

Perhaps you didn't notice, or like me, you just haven't turned in your reservation yet. Saturday, November 2nd, is our annual Heritage Luncheon combined with a celebration of our Chapter's 40th Anniversary. The Heritage Committee has worked hard to plan a great program and luncheon.

This is the 150th Anniversary of Confederate General John Hunt Morgan's raid of Hamilton County. We literally have the person who "wrote the book" as a speaker. Author Lester Horwitz lives in a house that Morgan "visited" during the raid. Signs have been going up along the route that Morgan and his men took across Hamilton, Clermont and other Ohio Counties. So far, three members have submitted stories about how the raid directly impacted their answer. My First Family ancestor, Britton Wainright, died of heat stroke as he and other members of his community marched to confront Morgan. This is a part of our local history that may have impacted your ancestor.

We will also induct new members of the three lineage groups: First Families, Settlers and Builders and Century Families. For the first time, we actually are inducting a member whose ancestor was born a slave. Come celebrate with these members. Perhaps you'll be inspired to submit an application of your own.

The reservation form was included on the last page of The Tracer and is also available as a PDF file from our website. I'm going to get my reservation in today and hope you will do the same. Post any questions you may have.

Submitted by Kathy Reed