The National tribune., 1899-11-16
GALLANT WOLFORD.
His Men Not Always "DrilIed,"
but They We're Trained and
Knew How to Shoot.
BY JOHN p. LOGAN.

beg leave to give some "reminiscences OF
Col. Wolford and the LIST KY. Cav. Col
Allen, of the 18th Ohio Cav, in an article in
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE of Dec. 8 Ger,
tainly was in error as to some of his state
mentS.
AT the breaking out of the civil war Col
Wolford was authorized to raise a regiment
of cavalry because of his military training
in the war with Mexico. At this time
Kentucky was trying to be neutral: was fol
peace; had resolved to keep both North and
South off her soil. Wolford, Fry, Bran
lett, Rousseau, Crittenden and Clay came
out boldly for the North and saved the
State from secession and many of its men
to the Union. Wolford in July, 1861, went
over his State making Union speeches.
On July Is he was billed to speak at Mt
Olivet, KY. The writer's father, q lifelong
Democrat and up to this time undecided
what to do in the coming conflict, went to
hear him. Wolford made strong plea for
the Union and call for volunteers. My
father got up and said:
"Mr. Wolford, have decided what to do.
/ am for the Union. Ihave a little hoy who
wants tog go with you, if you will take him. u
was told to rise, and did so-a boy of II,
and had the satisfaction of sitting down a
soldier, because l was accepted. I served
from that time until the rebellion was
closed, believing now. as / always have be-
lieved, that / did my duty as a soldier.
although | went from "critter- back" State
and have continued to live in onc ever since.
The middle State soldiers who went into
tho II, thp dark flay-S nf 'G1 held tho
balance of power, and as they went so went
the victory. There are often some hard
and funny things said about us by our
friends in the North. | live in a State
where it is sometimes said that there is no
excuse for a man who went into tie Mon
army from Kentucky, fighting against his
State. So you see we catch it from tie
North and from our neighEors in the South.
We care nothing for the criticism from those
fellows who We're not in the army on either
side, but it is rather hard to get a thrust from
Il friend, for we have a right 10 EXPECT EetTer
things of them. il may he said, it some
times is, that our pensions hold us in line.
Not so, and could prove it; but this article is
not for that purpose, but to defend and 10
give in part a sketch Of dead soldier. Col
Frank Wolford. Col Allen says Woiford
was as graceful as a bag of meal on horse
back; that he rode woman-fashion, etc
Wolford was injured and could not stand
in his stirrups at all times on the march.
The fighting qualities of the Colonel were
never doubted. The 1gt KY. was not drilled
as well as some of our soldiers of the North,
but the fault was not with the Colonel, and
can be explained in a few words. Stern
military necessity never allowed us the
In the beginning, Wolfords s
cavalry did not always receive full credit
for their invaluable services.
Ours was the first Union regiment or
ganized on Kentucky soil. Heavy details
were daily made to guard supplies for tire
troops then being organized in the State.
The movements Of Breckinridge and other
rebel leaders had to be watched Zolli-
Golfers forces were at many points in the
State; these men were trying to take Ken
lucky outOf the Union and the men into the
Confederate army. Wolford's men had to
meet them without being drilled, and they
performed their duty so well that the Col
onel and others came to the conclusion they
did not need drilling.
Their friends in the North sometimes said
funny things about them, and they were
often criticized by certain newspaper cor
and obscure Brigadiers. It
was cOnsoiing To know that if full Justice
was not always given them for their services,
no injustice was done them by such large
hearted commanders as Sherman, Bum
side, Nelson. Sbackelford and Others of
that class, and they were proud TO know
that they sometimes received high COM
and that they occupied warm
place in the hearts of the PEOPLE of the
section in which they operated.
Gen. Shackelford in his report of the
in Ohio said: The noble, true
and gallant Wolford was in the entire pur-
suit, is one of the coolest and bravest and
most efficient officers in the army, and has
fairly won by his military energy and gal
lantry on the field promotion at the hands
Of the Government" In contrast to the
foregoing Col. Allen says he was without
military training or education. and about
all he did know was TO huddle up and look
like bag Of meal.