The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1890-12-20
CHAPTER VII


the Enclosure where the horses and
wagon mules were feeding. 1t was half
past three in the morning, and I was
with the pickets to the southwest of the
camp, when, from the direction OF
Knoxville. / heard the beat Of hoofs,
coming on at walk, and the nnmistak-
able clatter of chains and scabbards.
Soon the black forms Of horsemen, like
spectral silhouettes, come to light
against the stars. If these were Con-
federates. reasoned that they either had
the boldness of great or else they
were not aware of their proximity TO a
Union force When the foremost horse
man came within hail, shouted:
'Halt! who goes there?'
In the unmiStakable accent OF the
Cumberland mountains, the answer
came.
'.Mebbe friends and mebbe foes. Who
the blazes are you?'
ssDismount and advance--one at a
time,' commanded, as the dark horse.
men appeared to rise from the ground
oil about me.
AS the strangers did not show a dis
position to comply, was about to give
the order to fire, when voice, that had =
familiar ring in it, called out:
s'Hello, thar; is that Harry Watts?'
"That's my name," Ireplied. "Who
are youo9:' ......
seWolford's Fust Kaintucl1. 4 f1ghtin'
fob the Guv'ment, by gosh!'> came the
thrilling reply.
ISIS that you, Ford?'
"'Tain't no one else"
ssAnd Wolford?''
:'He:ll be up shortly with the reg
ment. Thunderl we're out hantin'
Brent's damn partisans, and thought
we'd Jumped 'em.''
The speaker threw himself from his
horse, and running up I found myself
in the arms of my gallant friend, Cap
tain Ford, Of the famous First Ken
lucky Cavalry, Or calvary" as half the
men called themselves.
Before daylight the whole regiment
was up, but instead of advancing on one
line, they swarmed in from every point
of the compass.
Colonel Nolford was at this time in
command of the brigade to which my
regiment was attached. So as soon as
he appeared I reported formally and
turned over my command with a great
sense of relief.
Then and till this hour frank VOL
ford has been my bean ideal OF scout
and leader Of irregular horse. and II
there ever was Drawer. more ublqult-
GUS or more Gvegasl0r body Of cavalry
in the world than that same splendid
First Kentucky, history has failed to
mention it.
Although typical Kentucky mount
aineer, Frank Wolford always impressed
nae as fine type of the Puritanshorae-
mana rough rider of Cromwell's era,
living two centuries after his time. In
the prime of life, Of medium height,
strong as q bull: tireless as the wind,
stubborn and set in all his opinions,
with the eve Of hawk and the fearless
ness of a tiger, he was just the man to
lead that wonderful band Of horse1nen.
He was one of them; he dressed and ate
ss they did. He called his officers and
men bv their Christian names, and even
the buglers addressed him as "Frank. .
] never heard a man whose oaths
sounded less like profanity. He walked
with limp, the result of wound, and
it was said that his men, from love and
sympathy, limped also.
In addition to his own regiment,
Colonel Wolford had with him four
sauadrons of the Eleventh Kentucky,
and he said that Major Brown was near
bv with three hundred Of the Seventh
Pennsylvania.
During breakfast I told him about
Frank Brent, and he replied:
II reckon that fellow amt lying this
time. But the other side have hung
lots of better Union men; why should
you bother?"
frankly told him the secret of my
interest and repeated the promise l had
made General Boyle and the condemned
mans sister.
'sI'll help you," said the Colonel, 'bnt
you'll allow it's bit strange to see one
Of our people fretting himself to save
such a fellow.
While we were talking, Mckee came
into camp, seemingly much excited.
introduced him to Colonel Wolford
and without waiting to be questioned
he said:
'sThar's camp of the Partisan Rang.
ers with bout twenty men in hit, back
in the hills not more'n hours ride
off,"
The Colonel questioned the old man
and all his answers were clear ano
prompt. 4.
ssWatts, you're more interested II
these internal Partisans than ] am; how
wou "a you like to go over and gobble
Temp asked the Colonel.
Nothing could suit me better" !. re,
Piled; adding: s'that. IS, if Mckee viii
| guide me. ''. 81
Mckee promptly consented, and 9
within twenty uinutesI was riding To-