State County KyArchives Military Records.....History Of The 1st KY Cavalry 
Civilwar 1st KY Cavalry
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History Of The 1st KY Cavalry
The First Kentucky Cavalry.

   In the summer of 1861 the Civil War had fairly begun. The battle of 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 wav wrong for the Union men of Kentucky to enter into any military
organization. Kentucky had voted overwhelmingly against secession. It 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 1, 1861,
Confederate soldiers from Knoxville, Tenn., had occupied Cumberland Gap and
Wheeler's Cap. 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, Ky., and the formation
there of four Kentucky regiments, one battery and two regiments of East
Tennessee Unionists.

   The history of the 1st Kentucky Cavalry has been well written by Sergt. K.
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, colonel, and Frank Wolford, lieutenant-colonel, of the_____ Cavalry
Regiment; Judge Thomas K. Bramlette, captain; S. S. Fry and Hon. 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, Geo. W. Sweeny, Francis M. Helveti,
Silas Adams, J. W. Jenkins, Wm. Rains, Geo. W. Drye, S. H. Coppage, John A.
Brents, J. A. Morrison, J. P. Miller, Wm. 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.

   The first movement of the regiment was in August, when several companies
went, under command of Lieut. -Col. Jno. 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, Gen. George H. Thomas took command of the forces organized at
the camp, and it was soon learned that Confederate Gen. Zollicoffer was in
Kentucky. The first battle fought by Wolford's men was at Camp Wildcat, on
Rockcastle Hills, October 21st. The Federals were commanded by Col. Garrard, of
the 7th Ky. Infantry, and he had sent Wolford's cavalry for-ward to reconnoiter.
Zollicoffer appeared with a force of 7,000, drove back the cavalry and attacked
Garrard in his camp. Gen. 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 Gen. Schoepff and others.

   After this date, to wit, on October 28, 1861, the 1st Ky. Cavalry was
mustered into the United States service by Gen. Thomas. From that time it served
with the utmost activity throughout the war. November 2d, it went on a
reconnoissance to Burksville. In December, it was at Somerset, from whence it
operated by detachments in every direction. November 30th, it was placed in the
11th Brigade, commanded by Gen. J. T. Boyle. December 10th, five companies were
sent to Prestonburg, Ky., by way of Danville, Lexington and Mt. 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 Maj. Helveti was wounded and captured
near Logan's Cross Roads. January 21, 1862, Gen. Thomas reports the 1st as in
front, toward Logan's Cross Roads. January 19th, it participated in the battle
of Mill Spring, where the Confederates, under Gens. 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. Gen Crittenden reported a loss of 125 killed
and 309 wounded. After the battle of Mill Spring the 1st 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 light at Lebanon, Tenn., in
which the Federals successfully defended the place against an attack by Morgan
and others, Col. Wolford was severely wounded.

   May 24, 1862, Gen. Mitchell reports the 1st Ky. Cavalry at Shelbyville,
Tenn., "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, Mt. 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 Gen. 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,
October 1st, to move against Bragg, the 1st Cavalry moved from Elizabethtown and
joined Buell's forces at Bardstown. It took part in the battle of Perryville,
October 8th. 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 lieutenant-colonel. At this time Buell was superseded by Rosecrans, and
the 1st Cavalry was sent into Kentucky to protect the country against the
efforts of the Confederate cavalry to destroy railroads. January 16, 1863, Gen.
Rosecrans reports the 1st 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 Gen. 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 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 1st
Ky. Cavalry, 11th Ky. Cavalry (Maj. Graham); 12th Ky. Cavalry (Col. Crittenden),
and a light battery. Col. Wolford commanded the brigade and Col. Adams the 1st
Cavalry. Toward the latter part of August, 1863, the East Tennessee expedition,
under Gen. Burnside, started, and the 1st Cavalry accompanied Hascall's
division, moving to Kingston, Tenn., 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 1st Cavalry was constantly active, moving from place to
place, lighting at Kingston, Philadelphia, Maryville and many other places.
November 3d Burnside's cavalry was put under Gen. James M. Shackelford, 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 1st 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 1st Cavalry remained in East Tennessee until February,
1864, when it was sent to Mt. Sterling, Ky., where it refitted and reorganized
for the great campaign in Georgia, under Gen. 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, Tenn., May 7th.
Leaving there on the 9th, it reached Varnell's Station the 11th. It was then in
the cavalry command of the 23d Army Corps, under Gen. Stoneman. The hard and
exciting service of the Atlanta campaign began at once. The 1st Cavalry engaged
in many encounters, in which it suffered losses before Atlanta was reached, but
these can not be detailed here. The most notable event was the Stoneman raid to
Macon, Ga., in which Stoneman was captured, but the 1st Cavalry fared better. It
should be stated here that the 11th Ky. Cavalry, Maj. W. O. Boyle, was with Col.
Adams and the 1st Cavalry. The official report states that "great credit is due
to Col. Adams for the energy and management displayed by him in bringing his
command out as safely as he has," his loss in killed, wounded and captured being
only 20. Another report to Gen. Sherman, dated August 1, 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: "1 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. Gen. 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 Mt. Sterling. It was then incorporated with Gen. Burbridge's command,
organized for the expedition to Saltville, Va. After this campaign, in which the
1st Cavalry was as active and useful as it ever was, fighting and marching and
sustaining losses, it returned to Mt. Sterling, Ky. On the 31st of December,
1864, after nearly three and one-half 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, Ky.

   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 Spring. said to Wolford:
"Colonel, this is a dreadful business." "Yes, it is." replied the colonel. "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. Shackelford'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. Shackelford'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, Shackelford 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 1st Cavalry.

   After the war, Col. Wolford was a member of the state legislature, and was
twice elected to Congress. Col. Silas Adams served three terms in the state
legislature, and also was a member of Congress. Capt. Carr was elected judge.
Maj. Roberts became state senator. Maj. Owens and Lieut. Murphy were in the
legislature. Capt. Fishback served as a revenue officer in Kentucky, moved to
Kansas and became a county clerk. Lieut.-Col. Helveti became professor in the A.
and M. College at Lexington, Ky. Maj. Drye served in the legislature. Surg.
Brown became president of the state medical association. Chaplain Honnell moved
to Kansas, where he preached the gospel of Peace.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

THE UNION REGIMENTS OF KENTUCKY.
Published Under the Auspices of the Union Soldiers and
Sailors Monument Association.

The Regimental Histories and Sketch of Military Campaigns, 
By CAPT. THOS. SPEED.

Political Conditions During the War.
By COL. R. M. KELLY.

Biographical Sketches,
By MAJ. ALFRED PIRTLE.

LOUISVILLE, KY.: COURIER-JOURNAL JOB PRINTING COMPANY.
1897.


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