General Morgan and his raiders struck New Alsace on Monday, July 13, 1863. At St. Paul Church, Father Roman Weinzapfel was celebrating Mass at 8:30 a.m. when the raiders stole his horses. The church appears much as it did in 1863. Across the street stood two buildings that were taverns during Morgan's Great Raid: the Blettner Tavern, used as Morgan's headquarters, and the Gephard Tavern, where Morgan slept for four hours. In 1863, New Alsace had 14 taverns serving the many travelers on this major route from Cincinnati. About 1,000 feet west of the church stood the Yaeger store, which the raiders ransacked. Its widowed owner, Margaretha Yaeger, had lost her only son at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in April 1863. Pursuing Union horsemen entered New Alsace two hours after Morgan's rearguard departed.

Photo: Tom Bosse

Photo: Tom Bosse

Photo: Tom Bosse

Photo: Tom Bosse

Photo: Tom Bosse

Sunman, Indiana · USA