Morgan’s command in his First Kentucky Raid totaled 875 men with two mountain howitzers. Cynthiana's defense consisted of about 345 men, including Home Guards with a cannon, and small detachments of the 18th Kentucky and the 7th Kentucky. Morgan initiated the battle at the covered bridge, but sent other detachments to attack from several directions, eventually surrounding the Union soldiers, who, after a short but bitter fight, surrendered.