File:Buffington Island Battlefield Ohio.jpg
The Study Area encompasses the route taken by Morgan’s raiders as they attempted to reach and cross the ford at Buffington Island, and the multiple routes used by the Federal troops in pursuit.
The Ohio River itself has been included because a Federal naval flotilla under the command of Lieutenant Commander LeRoy Fitch was patrolling the river looking for Morgan and guarding the various crossing points, including the ford at Buffington Island.