Key Facts
- Dates
- June 11–12, 1864
- Confederate force size
- ~1,200 cavalrymen
- Union force (Burbridge)
- 2,400 mounted infantry and cavalry
- Union casualties (combined)
- 1,092 men
- Confederate casualties (est.)
- ~1,000 men
- Buildings destroyed
- 37 buildings burned in Cynthiana
Strategic Narrative Overview
On June 11, Morgan attacked Cynthiana with roughly 1,200 cavalrymen, splitting into two columns to assault the town and burning 37 buildings. He also trapped a Union relief force under Brigadier General Edward Hobson at Keller's Bridge, taking about 1,300 prisoners. Morgan chose to hold his position overnight despite depleted ammunition, awaiting an expected larger Union counterattack rather than withdrawing.
01 / The Origins
The battle arose from Confederate Brigadier General John H. Morgan's 1864 Raid into Kentucky, an attempt to disrupt Union operations in the state. Morgan had previously seized Cynthiana during his 1862 raid, and this second incursion was intended to demonstrate continued Confederate capacity to threaten Union-held territory in the border state of Kentucky during the final year of the Civil War.
03 / The Outcome
At dawn on June 12, Brigadier General Stephen G. Burbridge led 2,400 Union troops against Morgan east of town, routing the Confederate force. Many rebels were captured or killed as they fled into Cynthiana; Morgan and senior officers escaped. Combined casualties exceeded 2,000. The defeat ended Morgan's Last Kentucky Raid and signaled that Confederate cavalry raiders could no longer operate in the region with impunity.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
John H. Morgan.
Side B
1 belligerent
Stephen G. Burbridge, Edward Hobson, Conrad Garis.
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.