Sunday morning. Five of us gathered at the UDF for a breakfast ride, while several of the regulars were out of town. And those of of who did gather had commitments that were time dependent later in the day. We didn’t waste any time getting on the road.
But first …
Our fearless leader, Jerry, was one of the missing. We had to decide among ourselves where we were going and who was going to lead. With a very nice morning upon us and low humidity, wouldn’t it be great to be sitting outside next to the Ohio River? Yes. Destination decided–The Landing in New Richmond.
Who can take us there? Well, I can get you there, I said.
“Okay, Brent. You lead.”
As we were getting on the bikes, I asked Mike Z. if he wanted to get there directly or to wander a little. He said, “Wander.” And so, I began to formulate a plan, one that would not get us lost, but would have an interesting component for our ride.
I pointed at the back exit of the UDF, and five motorcycles filed out onto the road heading south through the neighborhood. We motored down through Loveland, and turned east on Branch Hill Road, crossed the Little Miami River and pulled into a parking lot. They followed. I stopped the bike, got off and walked towards the others motioning to them to come closer.
Branch Hill Road looking west towards the Little Miami River.
I explained:
“I thought you might be interested in a history lesson for our ride this morning, and I guarantee that you will never ride this road again without sensing the history here.
“In July of 1863, 145 years ago, just south of Branch Hill, Confederate General John Hunt Morgan crossed the Little Miami River, proceeded up through where we are now standing and then up the hill and southeast on the Branch Hill-Guinea Pike. He was leading 2,000 calvary men, four pieces of artillery and a number of wagons.
“There were no subdivisions. Only a few scattered farm houses. But, the road was there, and it still is. So, when you’re riding today on this stretch of road, you are following in the footsteps of 2,000 calvary men on the longest raid of the Civil War.”
I mounted my steed … er bike, adjusted my tank bag map, and proceed up the Branch Hill road, a cut through the hillside to the flatter ground above on the trail of General John Hunt Morgan, CSA. We followed the route on back roads and state routes until Owensville where we headed south to New Richmond on SR 132. Morgan and his men continued southeast on what is now SR 276 to Williamsburg to camp for the night.
The route we took to breakfast is a good one with hills and curves and a few twisties. After all, it is Ohio River Valley. In New Richmond, we pulled into The Landing parking lot, lined up the bikes, and settled into a table on the patio overlooking the river.
Historical marker in front of the Owensville Village Hall.
As we sat and waited for our coffees to arrive, I added a few more comments about historical markers on our route, events that occurred on Morgan’s raid 145 years ago. And then smiling I said, “I think that’s enough about Morgan for today.”
But the interest had all ready been generated. Putting history into the breakfast ride gave the route more meaning than just a ride with friends.
And, the conversation about history continued.–DBrent
Post Note: The story of Confederate General John Hunt Morgan’s raid is a fascinating story, but not without opposition. There is always another side of the story. Morgan’s raid encountered some resistance, and secondly, Union troops lead by General Edward Henry Hobson had been chasing Morgan since the early start of the raid in Kentucky and through Indiana. By the time Morgan stopped In Williamsburg, Hobson’s troops, numbering about 3,000, were only 15 miles behind on Morgan’s route. It must have been quite a sight to see 2,000 Confederates pass by and then several hours later see the 3,000 Union troops giving chase. It wasn’t for several days, on the other side of Ohio, that Morgan was finally surrounded at Buffington Island near Portland, Ohio. And again, Morgan escaped that battle with about 700 of his men. About 900 were captured.
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