While in Cincinnati to visit the American Sign Museum, we were too early, so Denny led the group across the river to Covington, Ky. where we had an excellent view of the city and the two new ballparks. The Reds had a game that day.
We were at a park by the impressive Roebling Bridge which was begun before the war began and whose completion was delayed. This was designed by John Roebling who later built the Brooklyn Bridge. This was the first bridge across the Ohio River at Cincinnati and it closely resembles the more famous Brooklyn Bridge.
There was a marker near the bridge about the September, 1862, feint of Confederate General Henry Heth against Cincinnati, then the sixth largest US city. The city's commander, Maj. General Lew Wallace hastily organized a defense consisting of 20,000 troops and 50,000 militia. The first black troops to serve, the Black Brigade was among the militia. An eight mile long defensive system of rifle pits and fortifications was constructed from Ludlow to Fort Thomas, Kentucky.
Heth decided the fortifications were too strong and withdrew.
A pontoon bridge was constructed and used by the Roebling Bridge's piers. Many returning Union veterans disembarked at Cincinnati on their way home.
A Road Cruise and Some History. --B-R
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
