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The First Kentucky Cavalry
In the summer of 1861 the Civil War had fairly begun. The battle of the Bull Run
was fought July 21st. In that summer the idea prevailed, with some, that
although the country was aflame, and although Confederate companies had been
organized in Kentucky and had gone south with flying colors, and although the
state of Tennessee was full of Confederate troops, all along the state line, it
was in some way wrong for the Union men of Kentucky to enter into any military
organization. Kentucky had voted overwhelmingly against secession. It had
refused to join the Southern movement as emphatically as South Carolina chose to
secede. As it adhered to the Union when other states seceded, her Union citizens
saw fit, under all the circumstances, to organize troops. As early as July 1st,
1861, Confederate soldiers from Knoxville, Tennessee, had occupied Cumberland
Gap and Wheeler's Gap. The citizens of the eastern and central parts of Kentucky
were under great excitement, and felt the urgent necessity of preparations for
defense. Naturally, therefore, the movement occurred which led to the
establishment of Camp Dick Robinson, in Garrard County, Kentucky, and the
formation there of four Kentucky regiments, one battery and two regiments of
East Tennessee Unionists.
The history of the first Kentucky Cavalry has been well written by Sergeant E.
Tarrant, a member of that regiment. From that volume, and from the official
records of the war, the account here following is made up:
Tarrant says: "Lieut. William Nelson, of the navy, himself a Kentuckian, had
been commissioned brigadier general, and had been given authority to organize
troops for the national defense in Kentucky. He arrived at Lancaster, in Garrard
County, July 15, 1861. He immediately made the following appointments: W. J.
Landrum, Col., and Frank Wolford, Lt. Col., of the ----- Cavalry Regiment; S. S.
Fry and Honorable T. T. Garrard, colonels of infantry regiments."
Landrum and Wolford commenced to recruit at once, in Garrard, Casey and
adjoining counties. Their men were to go into Camp Dick Robinson immediately
after the August election. Col. Wolford was aided in recruiting by his younger
brother, F. M. Wolford, John W. Letcher, George W. Sweeney, Francis M. Helveti,
Silas Adams, J. W. Jenkins, William Rains, George W. Drye, S. H. Coppage, John
A. Brents, J. A. Morrison, J. P. Miller, William A. Coffey and others, who
became officers in the regiment. The men were enlisted from the counties of
Casey, Marion, Madison, Garrard, Wayne, Washington, Cumberland, Pulaski. The
names of the officers and men appear in the roster following this account [not
included on this website].
The first movement of the regiment was in August, when several companies went,
under command of Lt. Col. John W. Letcher, to Lexington, to protect the passage
of arms through that place. They guarded the wagons to Nicholasville, and on to
Camp Dick Robinson. Other duty of similar character was also performed.
In September, General George H. Thomas took command of the forces organized at
the camp, and it was soon learned that Confederate General Zollicoffer was in
Kentucky. The first battle fought by Wolford's men was at Camp Wildcat, on
Rockcastle Hills, Oct. 21st. The Federals were commanded by Col. Garrard, of the
7th Kentucky Infantry, and he had sent Wolford's cavalry forward to reconnoiter.
Zollicoffer appeared with a force of 7,000, drove back the cavalry and attacked
Garrard in his camp. General Schoepff, who was under Gen. Thomas, hastened to
Garrard's relief, and the battle resulted disastrously to the Confederates. The
conduct of Wolford's regiment was highly praised by General Schoepff and others.
After this date, to wit, on Oct. 28, 1861, the First Kentucky Cavalry was
mustered into the United States service by Gen. Thomas. From that time it served
with the utmost activity throughout the war. Nov. 2nd, it went on a
reconnaissance to Burksville. In the summer, it was at Somerset, from whence it
operated by detachments in every direction. Nov. 30th, it was placed in the 11th
Brigade, commanded by Gen. J. T. Boyle. December 10th, five companies were sent
to Prestonsburg, Kentucky, by way of Danville, Lexington and Mount Sterling.
They united with Garfield's force in that part of Kentucky, and Garfield
reported constant fighting against the Confederates under Gen. Humphrey
Marshall. December 14th, Col. Wolford reported that Major Helveti was wounded
and captured at Logan's Cross Roads. Jan. 21, 1862, General Thomas reports the
First as in front, toward Logan's Cross Roads. Jan. 19th, it participated in the
battle of Mill Springs, where the Confederates, under Gen.'s Crittenden and
Zollicoffer, were signally defeated. In this battle, Wolford's cavalry
encountered the enemy first and fought dismounted. Wolford reported three
killed, eight mortally wounded and eleven others wounded. General Crittenden
reported a loss of 125 killed and 309 wounded. After the battle of Mill Springs
the First was on hard duty in Kentucky all winter. In April, 1862, it moved to
the vicinity of Nashville, and was used for various expeditions in that section.
At that time it was assigned to Dumont's division of Buell's army. May 5th, in a
fight at Lebanon, Tennessee, in which the Federals successfully defended the
place against an attack by Morgan and others, Col. Wolford was severely wounded.
May 24, 1862, General Mitchell reports the First Kentucky Cavalry at
Shelbyville, Tennessee, "men and horses absolutely worn out," yet a few days
later portions of the regiment are reported doing duty as usual.
In June, it was at Columbia, Mount Pleasant, Lawrenceburg, and Pulaski,
returning by way of Columbia to Murfreesboro. June 14th, it went on an
expedition to Sequatchie Valley, in the command of General Dumont, returning to
Columbia. In August, the regiment moved to Murfreesboro, and then to Nashville;
thence northward with Buell's army on its march to Kentucky, passing through
Munfordville, Elizabethtown, and Hodgenville. At New Haven it took part in the
capture of the Georgia regiment of Col. Crawford. When Buell left Louisville,
Oct. 1st, to move against Bragg, the First Cavalry moved from Elizabethtown and
joined Buell's forces at Bardstown. It took part in the battle of Perryville,
Oct. 8. Then joined in the pursuit of Bragg, passing through Danville and Crab
Orchard to London. From London it returned and moved to Nashville. There various
changes were made among the officers. Among others, Capt. Silas Adams was made
Lt. Col. At this time Buell was superseded by Rosecrans, and the First Cavalry
was sent into Kentucky to protect the country against the efforts of the
Confederate cavalry to destroy railroads. Jan. 16, 1863, General Rosecrans
reports the First Cavalry, with other troops, operating against John Morgan.
During the spring and summer it was in Kentucky, being under Gen. Q. A. Gilmore.
In March, it aided in resisting the raid of Confederate General Pegram into the
state, and, on the 30th, fought a severe battle at Dutton's Hill, near Crab
Orchard. In this campaign Col. Adams was captured but he escaped.
August, 1863, the Army of the Ohio was organized with Gen. Burnside as
commander. In this organization was the cavalry brigade, consisting of the First
Kentucky Cavalry, 11th Kentucky Cavalry (Major Graham); Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry
(Col. Crittenden), and a light battery. Col. Wolford commanded the brigade and
Col. Adams the First Cavalry. Toward the latter part of August, 1863, the East
Tennessee expedition, under Gen. Burnside, started, and the First Cavalry
accompanied Hascall's division, moving to Kingston, Tennessee, by way of
Somerset and Montgomery. The East Tennessee campaign, with all its incidents,
can not be here detailed; it is enough to say that the First Cavalry was
constantly active, moving from place to place, fighting at Kingston,
Philadelphia, Maryville, and many other places. Nov. 3rd Burnside's cavalry was
put under Gen. James M. Shackleford, and Wolford commanded a division. In the
siege of Knoxville the cavalry was placed on the south side of the river, and
the men, being dismounted and placed in defenses on the hills, successfully
resisted all assaults. The battle at Fort Sanders was followed by a furious
charge on the south side, which also failed. The loss of the First Cavalry
during the siege was 13 men. The siege being over, the cavalry followed
Longstreet up the Tennessee Valley, and at Beans Station a severe and bloody
fight occurred, in which Col. Wolford and his men bore a most conspicuous part.
The First Cavalry remained in East Tennessee until February, 1864, when it was
sent to Mount Sterling, Kentucky, where in refitted and reorganized for the
great campaign in Georgia, under General Sherman. In March, 1864, the citizens
of Kentucky presented Col. Wolford a fine sword; this was at Lexington. In that
month he severed his connection with his regiment, and from that time it was
commanded by Col. Silas Adams.
In April, 1864, the regiment moved to join Sherman's army in Georgia; passing
through Danville and Point Burnside, it reached Kingston, Tennessee, May 7th.
Leaving there on the ninth, it reached Varnell's Station the 11th. It was then
in the cavalry command of the 23rd Army Corps, under Gen. Stoneman. The hard and
exciting service of the Atlanta campaign began at once. The First Cavalry
engaged in many encounters, in which it suffered losses before Atlanta was
reached, but these can not to be detailed here. The most notable event was the
Stoneman raid to Macon, Georgia, in which Stoneman was captured, but the First
Cavalry fared better. It should be stated here that the 11th Kentucky Cavalry,
Major W. O. Boyle, was with Col. Adams and to the First Cavalry. The official
report states that "great credit is due to Col. Adams for the energy and
management displayed by him and bringing his command out as safely as he has,"
his loss in killed, wounded and captured being only 20. Another report to
General Sherman, dated August 4, 1864, says: "Col. Adams, commanding brigade of
Stoneman's cavalry, is here about 900 strong. He thinks that the balance of the
command are prisoners, including Gen. Stoneman. He cut the railroad south of
Macon. The command was overwhelmed by the rebels between Monticello and
Clinton." It would be interesting to narrate, in detail, the events of this
raid, but space forbids. Col. Adams refused to surrender, and determined to cut
his way out. Stoneman told him his command would be cut to pieces. Adams said:
"I will take the responsibility." He did so, and fought his way through the
enemy's lines and returned, as we have seen. At this time, among the killed was
Capt. Francis M. Wolford, and Lieut. Murphy wounded. General Sherman says of
this raid: "one brigade, Col. Adams', came in almost intact."
After this the regiment returned to Kentucky, and September 16, 1864, was in
camp at Mount Sterling. It was then incorporated with General Burbridge's
command, organized for the expedition to Saltville, Virginia. After this
campaign, in which the First Cavalry was as active and useful as it ever was,
fighting and marching and sustaining losses, it returned to Mount Sterling,
Kentucky. On the 31st of December, 1864, after nearly 3 1/2 years of continuous
hard service, and having performed its full duty to state and country, it was
mustered out of the service at Camp Nelson, Kentucky.
Note: Col. Wolford was a remarkable man and a decided character. Many anecdotes
are told about him. In Tarrant's history of the regiment, it is stated that a
Georgia captain, who was captured at Mill Springs, said to Wolford: "Col., this
is a dreadful business." "Yes, it is," replied the Col. "All we want is to be
let alone," said the captain. "It looks that way," responded Wolford, "when you
have come all the way from Georgia to shoot my men, many of whom are in hearing
of their homes."
Tarrant also relates that as the soldiers had a habit of taking all the chickens
that crowed for Jeff Davis, the people complained of it. Wolford said: "The
thieves must certainly belong to some other regiment, for I have ordered my men
not to steal, and they always mind me, so it must be some other men than mine."
The present writer was on Gen. Shackleford's staff in the East Tennessee
campaign, fall of 1863. At that time Negro enlistments had begun, and many
Kentucky officers disliked it. Among them was Wolford. In the siege of
Knoxville, provisions became scarce and Cols. Wolford and Pennebaker often
appeared at Gen. Shackleford's mess to get something to eat. One day Wolford,
with a grim smile, said to Col. Pennebaker, "Charley, I don't like nigger
soldiers, and neither do you, but if Lincoln should send a lot of 'um down here,
and run off old Longstreet, I wouldn't care a ----, would you?"
In the battle of Beans Station, Shackleford observed Wolford's men withdrawing
from their position. He told the writer to ride like fury to Wolford, and tell
him he must hold that place. Upon receiving the order, Wolford spurred his horse
along the line of brigade, shouting his orders; 'bout faced his men, and he led
the way back, riding in front of his command waving his hat, and urging the men
forward. It was a splendid act of gallantry, and instantaneous execution of an
order. A fierce fight ensued, but Wolford regained his position.
It was commonly remarked that Wolford's men scattered all over the country and
that some of them could be found anywhere at any time, but that when wanted at
any one place they all turned up in some marvelous way, like Robin Hood's men,
at the call of their leader. Alluding to this well-known reputation of the
regiment, Gen. Whitaker once said to Col. Wolford: "Colonel, I understand some
of your men were with the Army of the Potomac on the last movement on Richmond."
"I reckon not," said Wolford. "If my men had been there they would have taken
the place."
It is related that after the battle of Shiloh, although Wolford's regiment was
on duty in the upper parts of Tennessee, east of Nashville, two of its men were
observed riding composedly along the lines, and their appearance caused great
shouting and cheering among the Kentucky soldiers who had already learned the
peculiarities of the First Cavalry.
Organized at Liberty, Burkeville and Monticello, Ky., October, 1861, and
mustered in October 28, 1861. Attached to Thomas' Command, Camp Dick Robinson,
Ky., to December, 1861. 1st Division, Army of the Ohio, to March, 1862. (5 Cos.
attached to Garfield's 18th Brigade, Army Ohio. December, 1861, to March, 1862.)
Unattached, Army Ohio, to September, 1862. 1st Brigade, Cavalry Division, Army
Ohio, to November, 1862. Post Gallatin, Tenn., Dept. of the Cumberland, to
April, 1863. District of Central Kentucky, Dept. Ohio, to June, 1863. 1st
Brigade, 1st Division, 23rd Army Corps, Army Ohio, to August, 1863. Independent
Cavalry Brigade, 23rd Army Corps, to November, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Division,
Cavalry Corps, Army Ohio, to May, 1864. Independent Brigade, Cavalry Division,
23rd Army Corps, to August, 1864. 4th Brigade, 1st Division, District of
Kentucky, Dept. of Ohio, to December, 1864. Camp Nelson, Military District of
Kentucky, to September, 1865.
SERVICE--Near Rockcastle Hills October 18, 1861. Camp Wild Cat October 21.
Fishing Creek December 8. (5 Cos. sent to Prestonburg, Ky., December 10 and Join
Garfield. Garfield's operations against Humphrey Marshall December 23, 1861, to
January 20, 1862. Middle Creek, near Prestonburg, January 10, 1862.) Near
Logan's Cross Roads, Mill Springs, on Fishing Creek, January 19-20, 1862. Near
Cumberland Gap February 14 (Detachment). Big Creek Gap and Jacksboro March 14
(Detachment). Reconnaissance to Cumberland Gap March 21-23 (1st Battalion).
Moved to Nashville, Tenn., April. Purdy and Lebanon May 5. Duty at Shelbyville,
Columbia, Mt. Pleasant, Lawrenceburg, Pulaski and Murfreesboro, Tenn., until
August. March to Louisville, Ky., in pursuit of Bragg August 21-September 26.
Capture of 3rd Georgia Cavalry at New Haven September 29. Pursuit of Bragg into
Kentucky October 1-22. Near Perryville October 6-7. Battle of Perryville October
8. Danville October 11. Near Mountain Gap October 14 and 16. March to Nashville,
Tenn., October 22-November 7. Ordered to Kentucky November. Operations against
Morgan December, 1862, to January, 1863. Operations against Pegram March
22-April 1. Danville March 24. Dutton's Hill, near Somerset, March 30.
Expedition to Monticello and operations in Southeast Kentucky April 25-May 12.
Howe's Ford, Weaver's Store, April 28. Monticello May 1. Neal Springs May. Near
Mill Springs May 29. Monticello and Rocky Gap June 9. Saunders' raid in East
Tennessee June 14-24. Lenoir June 19. Knoxville June 19-20. Strawberry Plains
and Rogers' Gap June 20. Powder Springs Gap June 21. Columbia and Creelsborough
June 29. Pursuit of Morgan July 2-26. Marrowbone, Burkesville, July 2. Columbia
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