Defense of Cincinnati

Defense of Cincinnati
Part of the American Civil War
A modern mural depicting the "Squirrel Hunters" crossing the Ohio River for the defense of Cincinnati.
Date September 1–13, 1862 Location Kenton County & Campbell County, Kentucky, & Cincinnati, Ohio Result Union strategic victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Lew Wallace	Henry Heth
Strength
85,000 [approximate 25,000 military & 60,000 militia]	8,000 [approximate]
Casualties and losses
6 total 1 killed 5 wounded	Unknown

The Defense of Cincinnati occurred during what is now referred to as the Confederate Heartland Offensive or Kentucky Campaign of the American Civil War, from September 1 through September 13, 1862. Confederate Brigadier General Henry Heth was sent north from Lexington, Kentucky, to threaten Cincinnati, Ohio, then the sixth-largest city in the United States. Heth was under orders from his superior, Major General Edmund Kirby Smith, not to attack the city, but to instead make a "demonstration".^[1] Once Heth arrived and reconnoitered the defenses, he realized an attack was pointless. After a few minor skirmishes, he took his men back to Lexington.