Directions
To get to Morgan House from the Erskine House:
Continue down Franklin Street and stop across the street from the Italianate Morgan House at 558 Franklin.
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Site Description
Morgan-Neal House, ca. 1823
This home, built in 1825, was the childhood home of Confederate General John Hunt Morgan, known as the Thunderbolt of the Confederacy. Morgan and his men, known as Morgan's Raiders, were despised by the Union Army because they were so adept at Guerilla Warfare.
The Raiders were captured and imprisoned in the Ohio State Penitentiary, but by using spoons and knives from the mess hall, they successfully dug their way out under a bunk that opened into a crawl space under the penitentiary.
After his escape, Morgan boldly boarded a train and sat next to a Union soldier. As the train passed the prison, the Union soldier remarked that John Morgan was a prisoner there. Morgan answered, "And I hope they always guard him as well as they do now."
Not long afterwards, Morgan was captured again. While in process of surrendering, a Union soldier shot him to death.
George Neal, son of Madison County's first sheriff, bought this home in 1850 and added the Italianate facade and tower to the Federal Style home.
More Information
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John
Hunt
Morgan -
Historic
Marker -
Audio
History of
558 Franklin
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HJAC
Exterior
1972
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HJAC
Exterior
1997 -
HABS
Exterior
1934
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HABS
Exterior
1934 -
HABS
Slave Quarters
1935 -
HABS
Interior
1934 -
HABS
Interior
1934 -
HABS
Interior
1934 -
HABS
Interior
1934 -
HABS
Interior
1934
the History and Architecture of Huntsville,
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Huntsville History Collection
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