Camp Dennison

            Camp Dennison served as a recruitment and training facility as well as a supply and medical post for the Union army during the American Civil War. Founded in 1861 the camp saw 75,000 - 100,000 soldiers come through on their way to and from the war. One of the Camp's most notable achievements involved facing down feared Confederate raider John Hunt Morgan. The infamous Morgan's Raid set their sights on the camp July of 1863. At the time Dennison housed a mere 600 soldiers, only 400 of which had weapons. Morgan possessed over 2,000 well armed Confederate cavalrymen. Camp Dennison's commander, Lieutenant Colonel George W. Neff, set about preparing for battle against these vast odds. He deployed scouts at bridges along the Little Miami River and instructed his men to build and fortify rifle pits. July 14 the Raiders arrived, shelling the camp with two howitzers, attempting to break the fortifications. The Union troops, however, held firm and refused to give any ground. Morgan decided that he could not become entangled in a drawn out engagement and ordered his forces to withdraw. Thus the camp was saved.

           Camp Dennison remains a historical site. In 1973 the two remaining buildings were protected under the National Register of Historic Places and one has been converted into a museum for the camp.