IV — The Defenses of Cincinnati
By Geoffrey R. Walden
The result of all the digging activity during the so-called "Siege of Cincinnati" was a ring
of entrenchments thrown up on the hills of northern Kentucky in an amazing three days.
Such was the completeness of this defensive line that the martial law order was lifted, but
the military authorities continued the organization and drilling of the local military units
and the organization of a citizens labor corps for the improvement of the hastily
constructed earthworks.
Major James H. Simpson, Chief of Topographic Engineers, was ordered to plan and
supervise the improvements and additions to the defenses. Simpson, a veteran of
McClellan’s unsuccessful Peninsular Campaign and an experienced military engineer,
knew that mere rifle pits were not sufficient protection, even though the enemy was not
an "army of 100,000 men." His plans called for a system of forts and batteries armed with
heavy caliber artillery pieces, all linked into the existing line of entrenchments.
Notwithstanding their partially completed state, the entrenchments and battery positions
had the desired effect.
Heth camped the majority of his force at Florence, eight miles southwest of Covington,
and sent advanced parties to reconnoiter the Federal position. These scouts penetrated as
far as the outer works of Fort Mitchel, where they skirmished with the Federal pickets on
September 10. Under orders from Kirby Smith, Heth withdrew his force on the night of
September 11, and rejoined Smith’s command in time to witness the installation of a
Confederate governor in Frankfort on October 4. This was a useless gesture, since the
Confederates evacuated the city that same afternoon, and Bragg’s retreat after the battle of
Perryville on October 8 ended the invasion of Kentucky and any further hopes of largescale Confederate success in the area.
With the immediate threat removed, Major Simpson was
free to execute his plans for proper fortifications, in the
event of a new Confederate threat. When he took charge
on September 6, the defenses consisted of the hastily dug
rifle pits and eight largely in- complete battery positions,
armed with only fifteen guns. Between this time and the
end of November, Simpson directed the construction of
twelve more battery positions. Two years later, at the end
of 1864, Simpson and his subordinates had constructed a
total of four forts and twenty-three battery positions
(including the eight which originally had been
constructed in 1861 and later improved by Simpson).
Major James H. Simpson, U.S.A.,
After the initial excitement had died down that tension- Chief of Topgraphic Engineers,
filled few weeks in September 1862, the local citizens Department of the Ohio.
lost much of their enthusiasm for building earthworks,
so other labor forces had to be organized. Some 600 local blacks were forcibly impressed
into a special labor brigade which worked on the fortifications for three weeks. Although
they were later paid a token sum for their work, this impressment amounted to nothing
less than legal slavery, in a "free" state.
Southern sympathizers from Covington and Newport were also put to work under guard.
A local militiaman reported the treatment accorded the disloyalists: "In passing along the
line, one of our men asked permission to prick one of them [the workers] with his
bayonet. ’He is so abusive ... I will only give him an inch. It will do him so much good."’
At least he asked permission ...
Militia Colonel J.V. Guthrie, who served as commander of the Citizens Labor Corps, and
who perhaps took his cue from Ben Butler’s order to the ladies of New Orleans a few
months before, issued an order authorizing the arrest of all "rebel women" who insulted
Federal soldiers and refused them water. The Gazette reported that a building is being
fitted up in which all such will be confined," adding that, men offending in like manner
will be arrested and confined in the county jail."
Historyhaspaidbut little attention to the threat to Cincinnati, and perhaps rightly so, since
the defenses were a successful deterrent to attack. But at the time, when Heth’s strength
and intentions were unknown to the Federals, the threat produced panic among civilians
and military alike all through southern Ohio and Indiana. Using modern hindsight, it
seems unlikely that Heth’s small force could have successfully attacked or bypassed the
fortifications to reach Cincinnati. But what if Heth had arrived just a few days earlier,
when he would have been opposed by only some 800 militia and recruits manning a
handful of half-finished battery positions? It is not at all far-fetched to imagine that Heth
could have routed, captured, or bypassed this force and proceeded into Cincinnati.
The "Queen City" would have been a prize of
incalculable value to the Confederacy. Although they
certainly would not have been able to stay long,
Heth’s men could have captured or destroyed huge
stocks of war material stored in the city warehouses
(particularly shoes, overcoats, and blankets, all badly
needed in the Southern armies). Heth himself later
stated that he could have ransomed the city for
fifteen million dollars. Beyond the material value,
the capture of Cincinnati would have been a great
boost to Confederate morale, and a corresponding
blow to Northern ardor. Such success might indeed
have led to the hoped-for recruits for Bragg’s forces
in Kentucky, and a different out- come to the clash
of the armies on Kentucky soil.
Henry Heth, C.S.A.
But such speculation is academic. The threat
dissolved and Cincinnati was saved. Lew Wallace became a local hero and was voted the
thanks of the Cincinnati city council, the legislature and the people of Ohio. The
Confederates retreated from Kentucky, and no Southern force ever again posed a serious
threat to a western Federal city of such importance.
T he fates of the entrenchments and the men who built and manned them serve as an
interesting afterward to the great panic of September 1862.
Note that during the period of Heth’s threat, only five batteries on the west side of the Licking River and
only three on the east side were built and armed (15 guns total). By November 1864, all but six of the
positions were armed, the total armament having been increased to 80 guns and mortars. Batteries
Smith, Rich, McRae, Harrison, Groesbeck I and 2, and Lee were apparently never armed. By the end of
1864 Cincinnati was virtually impregnable against an overland attack from the south.
Sources: OR Ser. 1, Vol. 16, Pt. 2, P. 670; OR Ser. 1, Vol. 23, Pt., 2, P. 608; OR Ser. 1, Vol. 39, Pt. 3, pp. 776-777.
Major General Wright ended his brilliant Civil War service in command of the Federal
VI Corps, elements of which were the first over the Confederate works at Petersburg and
dealt General Lee a severe blow at Sayler’s Creek on April 6, 1865, three days before the
Appomattox surrender. An able engineer, Wright was chosen to complete the
Washington Monument, which was dedicated in 1884. Lew Wallace’s enduring fame is
not of a military nature, but rather, literary. He authored Ben-Hur, which was published
in 1880. Major Simpson was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and assigned as Chief of
Engineers, Department of the Ohio. He spent the remainder of the war in charge of the
defensive works through-out Kentucky and the Ohio Valley, ending his career as a brevet
brigadier general. The local citizens went back to their businesses and daily routine. The
"Squirrel Hunters" filtered into the backwoods from whence they came, officially
designated heroes by the Ohio legislature. Presumably the impressed Southern
sympathizers had had enough, and either went South or disguised their loyalties; the
impressed blacks no doubt harbored great suspicions about the real meaning of their
freedom.
The fortifications, as already noted, were slowly improved upon until late 1864, and were
manned mostly by recruits from local training camps. Some of the positions were never
completed, and many did not have their proposed armaments as late as November 1864.
After the war, their purpose fulfilled, the guns were removed and the earthworks were
allowed to fall into disrepair. Since their strategic hilltop locations are now scenic
overlooks popular for housing developments, many of the positions have been swallowed
up by the rapidly growing metro-Cincinnati suburbs of Covington and Newport. Only a
few battery positions remain today on remote wooded hilltops, overgrown and forgotten
by all but a handful of local historians.
But there are remains to be seen, and the search can be both fascinating and rewarding.
The modern explorer is fortunate indeed to be able to study the series of excellent maps
included with Major Simpson’s reports forwarded to the Office of the Chief of Engineers
in Washington, which reside today in the National Archives. These detailed plans of each
battery position and overall maps of the area present a complete picture of the
fortifications during the Civil War. It is only necessary to correlate the period maps with
the area as it appears today, for which modern US. Geological Survey maps are
indispensable. These maps show the land contours necessary in matching the maps of the
1860s to the ground as it exists now. Except in areas of major highway and building
construction that have radically changed the contours, the exact position of each battery
can be transferred from the period maps to the modern topographic maps with
comparative ease.
T he following section lists each battery, running from the western end of the
entrenchment line in Kenton County, Kentucky, to the eastern end in Campbell County,
Kentucky. The original location of each fortification is given, along with the origin of its
name (when known), a short physical description, and its condition as of publication date.
BATTERY J.L.K. SMITH - overlooking the village of Bromley (southwest of Ludlow)
behind the fairgrounds and race course. Named for Joseph L. Kirby Smith, Colonel of the
43rd Ohio Infantry and coincidentally, nephew of Confederate Major General E. Kirby
Smith. The younger Smith was killed in action at Corinth, Mississippi, in October 1862,
not long after the Cincinnati panic. Simple V-shaped earthwork with positions for four
12-pounder8, but apparently never armed. No trace of the position remains.
BATTERY COOMBS - on high ridge overlooking Bromley from the southeast.
Possibly named for Leslie Coombs, a member of Lew Wallace’s staff. Earthwork with
revetment of chest-high planking, sunken gun positions, covered magazine, and rifle pits.
(This general design is common to most of the positions, and will not be repeated for the
others.) Modern site is over-grown, but a few traces of rifle pits remain.
BATTERY BATES - on next high ground to southeast above Sleepy Hollow Road.
Named for retired Brigadier General Joshua H. Bates, chairman of the Cincinnati
Committee for Public Safety. Site is largely undisturbed except for 1981 test excavations
by Behringer-Crawford Museum, which yielded period bottle glass, nails, slag metal, and
an M1849 Flobert pistol cartridge case. Earthworks, magazine, rifle pits, and traces of the
military road remain today.
BATTERY RICH - on high ground south of Battery Bates. Named for Stephen Rich,
landowner of the site. Built in 1861 (hence its more common name, "Old Battery") and
not used as part of the 1862-64 defenses, due to improper location. No trace remains.
BATTERY PERRY - on next high ground to south across Amster dam Road. Named for
Cincinnati lawyer Aaron F. Perry. Housing construction has obliterated the site.
FORT MITCHEL - on high ground overlooking Lexington Turnpike (now Dixie
Highway, US 25/42/127). Named for Major General Ormsby M. Mitchel, commander of
Ohio volunteers American pioneer in astronomy and prominent Cincinnati citizen. The
largest and most important of the Kenton County positions, Fort Mitchel consisted of
elaborate earthworks and rifle pits, traces of which remain today.
BATTERY KYLE - on high ground east of Fort Mitchel, on (then) Robert S. Kyle farm.
Site has been completely obliterated by construction of Interstate 75.
BATTERY McRAE - (sometimes misspelled McKee) on continuation of ridge to east,
overlooking Wolf Road (now Kyle s Lane). Named for Captain Alex McRae, 3rd U.S.
Cavalry, killed in action at Valverde, New Mexico, in February 1862. Modem site
obliterated by construction.
FORT WRIGHT - on high ground to south overlooking Wolf Road and Highland Pike.
Named for Major General H.G. Wright. Constructed in 1863 to cover the area from the
front of Battery Kyle east to the Licking River. Elaborate pentagonal earthwork with
positions for thirteen heavy guns. Site was altered for construction of modern Highland
Avenue.
BATTERY HOOPER (formerly called Kyle Battery) - on continuation of same ridge as
Battery McRae to east. No trace remains.
BATTERY CARLISLE - on same ridge to east overlooking Independence Pike (now
Madison Pike, Ky. 17). Named for John G. Carlisle, famed Kentucky statesman. Site cut
away for modern construction.
BATTERY BURBANK - on same ridge east of Battery Carlisle, overlooking valley of
Banklick Creek. Named for Lieutenant Colonel Sidney Burbank, military commander of
Cincinnati at the time of the siege. No remains.
BATTERY HATCH (also called Brickyard Battery) - on southern projection of ridge to
east of Battery Burbank. Named for George H. Hatch, mayor of Cincinnati. No remains.
FORT HENRY - When General Wallace moved his headquarters across the river to
Covington, he took over the main building of the Thompson Winery, to the east of
Battery Hatch in the area of the modern water tower on Tower Drive, which was the
approximate center of the defensive line. Although no artillery position was established
here, the headquarters building came to be called Fort Henry.
BATTERY BUFORD - on same ridge to east, overlooking Independence Pike and
South Covington (now Latonia). Named for Kentucky brother Brigadier Generals
Napoleon and John Buford. Constructed in 1863 to provide covering fire from Fort
Wright all the way around to Battery Holt in Campbell County, and nearly four miles to
the south. No remains.
BATTERY BURNET (formerly called Quarry Battery) - on same ridgeline, overlooking
South Covington. Named for Robert W. Burnet, retired infantry officer and commander
of the Burnet Rifles, a militia unit from the Cincinnati Literary Club. A large concrete
platform is on this site today.
BATTERY LARZ ANDERSON (formerly called Tunnel Battery) - on Tunnel Hill
overlooking bend of Independence Pike and Licking River pontoon bridge. Named for a
prominent Cincinnati businessman, the brother of Major Robert Anderson of Fort Sumter
fame. Modern trails crisscross this area, but there exist what appear to be remnants of the
battery’s earthworks and rifle pits.
NOTE: The pontoon bridge across the Licking River was anchored on the Kenton
County side in the area of what is now the Meinken Field parking lot on Eastern Avenue.
The Ohio River pontoon bridge was anchored on the Kentucky side in Covington a short
distance east of the current Roebling Suspension Bridge connecting Cincinnati with
Covington; the Cincinnati-side anchor was near the western edge of current Riverfront
Stadium.
BATTERY HOLT (formerly called Three Mile Creek and Licking Point Battery) - on
first hill due east of the Licking River pontoon bridge, overlooking valley of Three Mile
Creek. Named for General Joseph Holt, former U.S. Secretary of War and Judge
Advocate General. Earthworks, gun positions, and magazine are intact and quite well
preserved. This is the best preserved of all the fortifications, but the site is grown up and
difficult to reach.
BATTERY WIGGINS (also called John’s Hill Battery) - on next hill to southwest of
Battery Holt, overlooking Licking River valley. Named for Samuel Wiggins, Cincinnati
banker and realtor. Site has been leveled recently, obliterating any remains.
BATTERY MCLEAN (also called Locust Hill Battery) - on Locust Hill north of Wilder,
overlooking Licking River and pontoon bridge. Named for Major Nathaniel H. McLean,
Chief of Staff, Department of the Ohio. The hilltop has been leveled, but parts of the
eastern side of the battery and traces of the military road remain.
BATTERY HARRISON - on continuation of ridge to
southeast of Battery McLean. Possibly named for
Montgomery Pike Harrison, Indiana officer killed by
Indians in Texas in 1849. No remains.
BATTERY SHALER - on high ground east of Battery
Harrison, overlooking valley of North Branch of Three
Mile Creek. Named for Doctor Nathaniel B. Shaler, chief
surgeon of the Newport Barracks and landowner of the
battery site. Upper portion of double gun position has
been preserved as a war memorial, with the earthworks
intact.
Dr. Nathaniel B. Shaler, for
whom Battery Shaler was
named.