[2] While the city had more than its share of exceptional abolition leaders [3][better source needed] before the American Civil War, the attitude of Cincinnatians in general towards abolitionism was one of open hostility.

[4][better source needed] The intensity of sentiments has risen up to destruction of property, killings, and mob violence against blacks since about the 1830s.

This was contrary to the wishes of Maj. Gen. Lew Wallace who intended to enlist the help of the city's black residents to construct defensive fortifications.

Mayor George Hatch asked for all men to assist in the defense of the city and that the police force would be placed under Wallace's command and act as provost guards.

[7] The men were gathered and put in a mule pen on Plum Street, not knowing what would become of them and fearfully that they might be left in Kentucky and become enslaved.

[7] In the meantime, the police were relieved of provost guard duty[11] and promised not to arrest any more black men, except for criminal activity.

[10] Black men who had escaped to the country or were securely hidden to avoid coming under control of the provost guards, returned to the city.

[9] With Dickson in charge, the soldiers of the Black Brigade received their own military unit flag and $13 a month—a Union Army private's pay—along with various privileges, including the right to visit their families.

[13] Put "far in advance of the Union lines" and without weapons,[11] a pontoon bridge was built to bring the Black Brigade into Northern Kentucky.

[2] The Black Brigade commenced work that consisted of digging rifle pits, clearing trees as well as building forts, magazines, and roads.

[2][14] They reconnoitered for two days and then withdrew, believing that they would not be successful there in a battle with a volunteer force of 76,000 "Squirrel Hunters" who had assembled in the Defense of Cincinnati.

Designed by Jan Brown Checco and Sasaki Associates, sculptors John Hebenstreit and Carolyn Manto created three life-size bronze figures, relief panels, while Tyrone Williams composed poetry to express the soldiers inner thoughts, and Erik Brown established the application of texts.