Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-09-18
CHAPTER WI.

wagon mules we're feeding IL was max
past three In the morning, a-A2 | was
with the pickets to the southwest OF the
camp when, from the direction OF
Knoxville, l heard the beat OF hoofs,
coming on at a walk, and the unmlstak-
able clatter of chains and scabbards.
Soon the black forms of horsemen, like
spectral silhouettes, come to light
against the stars. II these were Con-
federates, reasoned that they either had
the boldness OF great strength or else they
were not aware of their proximity to
Union force. When the foremost horse
man came within hail, shouted:
'Haltl who goes thereY
In the unmistakable accent OF the
Cumberland mountains, the answer
came:
"Mebbo friends and mobbe foes. Who
the blazes are you?'
sDismount and advance---one at
time" commanded, as the dark horse
men appeared to rise from the ground
all about me.
As tho strangers did not show a dis
position to comply, was about to give,
the order to fire, when a voice, that had
familiar ring in it, called out:
"Hello, thar; is that Harry Watts?'
"That's my NAME" ! replied. who
are your
"Wolford's Fust Kaintuck. A fghtin
toh tho Guv'ment, by goshl" came the
thrilling reply.
SIS that you, Ford?'
"'Tain't no one else"
"And Wolford?"
Hell be up shortly with the reg
ment. Thunderl we're out huntln
Brent's damn partisans, and thought
we'd jumped EN-
The speaker threw himself from his
horse, and running up | 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 tho compass.
Colonel Wolford was at this time in
command of the brigade to which my
regiment was attached. So as soon as
he appeared | reported formally and
turned over my command with great
sense of relief.
Then and till this hour Frank Vol
ford has been my beau ideal of scout
and leader of irregular horse, and II
there ever was Drawer, more ubiquit-
GUS or more irregular 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
me as a fine type Of the Puritan horse
mana rough yider of Cromwells era,
living two centuries after his time. In
the primo of life, of medium height
strong as a bull, tireless as the wind,
stubborn and set in all his opinions,
with the eve OF a hawk and the fearless
ness of a tiger, he was just the man to
lead that wonderful band Of horselnen.
He was one OF them; he dressed and ate
as they did. He called his officers and
men by their Christian names, and even
the burlers addressed him as Frank"
l never heard man whose oaths
sounded less like profanity. He walked
with a 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
souadrons of the Eleventh Kentucky,
and he said that Major Brown was near
by with three hundred of the Seventh
Pennsylvania.
During breakfast l 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 | had
made General Boyle and the condemned
mans sister.
.rll help you,n said the Colonel, 'but
you'll allow it's bit strange to see one
Of our people fretting himself to save
such 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:
'Thar's a 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 and
prompt.
''Watts, you're more interested in
those internal Partisans than | am; how
won d you like to go over and gobole
emp asked the Colonel
''Nothing could suit me BETTER" / re-
piled; adding: shat is, if Mckee will
guide me-"
Mckee promptly consented, and
within twenty minutes / was riding fol-
the hills at the head of forty of my OWL
men.