The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1892-01-13

aDlo clatter OF chalnS and ScaDhardS.
Soon the black forms of horsemen, like
spectral silhouettes, come to light
against the stars. If these were Con-
federates, reasoned that they eitherhad
the boldness ofgreat strength or else they
were not aware of their proximity to
Union force. When the foremost horse
man came within hail, shouted:
"Halt! who goes there?"
In the unmistakable accent of the
came:
''Mebbe friends and mebbe foes. Who
the blazes are you?"
''Dismount and advance---one at
time" / commanded, as the dark horse.
men appeared to rise from the ground
all about me.
AS the strangers did not show a dis
position to comply, was about to give
the order to fire, when a voice, that had a
familiar ring in 1t, called out:
sHello, thar; is that Harry Watts?"
"That's my name," replied. "Who
are you?'
"Wolford's Fust Kaintuck. A ightin'
, fob the Guv'ment, by gosh!'' came the
thrllllng reply.
SIS that you, Ford?n
"'Tain't no one else"
"And Wolford?"
Hell be up shortly with the reg:
ment. Thunderl we're out huntin'
Brent's damn partisans, and thought
we'd jumped 'em."
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 the 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 a-scont
end leader of irregular horse, and Il
! there ever was Drawer, more ubiquft-
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 fine type of the Puritan horse
mana rough rider of Cromwelrs era,
living two centuries after his time. In
the prime of life, of medium height,
strong as bull, tireless as the wind,
stubborn and set in all his opinions,
with the eye of hawk and the fearless
ness of tiger, he was just the man to
lead that wonderful band Of horsemen.
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 buglers addressed him rs Frank"
| never heard man whose oaths
sounded less like profanity. He walked
with limp, the result OF a 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
squadrons OF the Eleventh Kentucky,
and he said that Major Brown was near
by with three hundred of the Seventh
Pennsylvania.
During breakfast I told him about
Frank Brent, and he replied:
IT 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.
.'I'il help you," said the Colonel, shut
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 q 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
would you like to go over and gobble
emp" asked the Colonel.
Nothing could suit me better" 1 re-
piled; adding: "that is, If Mckee will
guide me-"
Mckee promptly consented, and
within twenty minutes was riding for
the hills at the head of forty of my own
men.