USA > Kentucky > The Union regiments of Kentucky, Vol. I > Part 11
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While on duty on the gunboat "Marblehead" he par- ticipated in the search for the privateer "Tallahassee" off the coast of New England. In 1865, he was on board the
99
Officers from Kentucky in the United States Navy.
frigate "Colorado," which was the first vessel in the navy to carry the flag to Europe after the war. He afterward was on duty at the Naval Academy as an instructor of navigation and mathematics. He resigned December 28, 1871, and removed to Indiana, where he is well known as one of the prominent lawyers of Mt. Vernon.
CAPT. WILLIAM CLINTON WISE, born at Lewis- burg, Va., November S, 1842, was appointed to the Naval Academy from Kentucky, September 29, 1860; promoted to ensign, October 1, 1863; master, 1866. In October, 1863, attached to and served on "New Ironsides," par- ticipated in the blockade of Charleston, and in the vari- ous attacks on that city's defenses; on the "Minnesota" in both attacks on Fort Fisher, N. C., 1865; commanding flag ship "Malvern" in both attacks on Forts Anderson and Strong, and various operations on Cape Fear river. The "Malvern" was afterward ordered to James river, during the final operations against Richmond, and was the first United States vessel to reach the city, and had President Lincoln on board. Wise was recommended for promotion for war services by Board of Admirals, in 1866; promoted to lieutenant, July 21, 1867; lieutenant- commander, March 12, 1868; commander, February 24, 1SS1; became captain, November 11, 1894; is now in com- mand of the "Amphitrite."
CAPT. JOHN CRITTENDEN WATSON was born in Kentucky, August 24, 1842; appointed to Naval Acad- umy, September 29, 1856; promoted to master and at- fached to frigate "Sabine," 1861; thence to the "Hart- ford," West Gulf blockading squadron, 1862-4; commis- sioned lieutenant, July 16, 1862. Was present at the bombardment and passage of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, April, 1862; at the passage of the batteries at Vicksburg, June and July, 1862; passage of Port Hudson, March 14, 1863; was wounded by a fragment of shell from a rebel battery at Warrington; engaged in the pas- sages of Grand Gulf, March 19 and 30, 1863; at the battle of Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864, he was on duty as flag lieutenant of the "Hartford," and Adm. Farragut, in his report to the Secretary of the Navy, Aug. 12, 1864, says of him: "Lieut. J. Crittenden Watson, my flag lieutenant, has been brought to your notice in former dispatches. During the action he was on the poop attending to the signals, and performed his duties, as might be expected,
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Union Regiments of Kentucky.
thoroughly. He is a scion worthy of the noble stock he sprang from, and I commend him to your attention."
Commissioned lieutenant-commander, July 25, 1866: commander, January 23, 1874. Promoted to captain, March 6, 18S7. Is now governor of the Naval Home, Philadelphia.
CAPT. GEORGE W. SUMNER, born in Constantine, Mich., December 31, 1841. Appointed to the Naval Acad- emy from the Fifth Congressional District of Kentucky, September 20, 1858, attached to the steam frigate "Col- orado," West Gulf blockading squadron, 1861. Was en- gaged in the bombardment of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, April, 1862. Special duty on U. S. ship "Harriett Lane" during memorable passage of Forts Jackson and St. Philip. Engaged in the attack on Vicksburg batter- ies in 1862; promotion to lieutenant, August 1, 1862; ex- ecutive officer of the "Massasoit," North Atlantic block- ading squadron, 1864-5; commanded same vessel in the latter part of January, 1865, when the rebel ironclads "Fredericksburg" and "Virginia" came down James river to Dutch Gap, and assisted the "Onondaga" in her engagement with those vessels, defeating their plans and forcing them to retire. Lieutenant-commander, 1866: commander, June 13, 1876; captain, October 2, 1891. Now commanding the "Monadnock."
CAPT. PAUL SHIRLEY was born in Kentucky, De- cember 19, 1820, and was appointed to the navy, July 25, 1839; became master, December 3, 1863; lieutenant, July 24, 1854; commander, Noyember 5, 1863; captain, July 1, 1870. While in command of the "Cyane," of the Pacific squadron, he captured the piratical cruiser "J. M. Chap- man," in 1863, for which he was complimented by Rear Adm. Charles Bell. While in command of the "Su- wanee" he took the piratical steamer "Colon," at Cape Saint Lucas, Lower California, thereby saving two mail steamers, that would have been captured. Subsequently, was in command of the flag ship "Pensacola," during 1867-8, and after of the "Independence" at Mare Island, Cal., in 1869 and 1870. He died at Columbus, Ohio, No- vember 24, 1876.
ADM. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SANDS was born in Baltimore, Md., February 11, 1811; entered the navy
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Officers from Kentucky in the United States Navy.
by appointment from Kentucky, April 1, 1828; rose to lieutenant, March 11, 1840; during the Mexican War, was in the operations on the Gulf of Mexico, and took part also in the expedition up the Tabasco river. Was com- missioned commander September 4, 1855; captain, July 16, 1862. Commanded the "Dacotah" on blockade, and participated in the engagements with Fort Caswell on Cape Fear river. In command of steamer "Fort Jack- son"; took part in the two attacks on Fort Fisher; had charge of the division on the blockade of the coast of Texas from February to June, 1865. On June 2, 1865, he raised the United States flag over Galveston, the last point surrendered by the Confederates. Commissioned as commodore, July 20, 1866; reached the rank of rear ad- miral, April, 1871. Was retired February 11, 1874, at Washington, where he died on the 30th of June, 1883.
COM. DANIEL B. RIDGLEY, born in Kentucky, August 1, 1813. Appointed midshipman, April 1, 1828. At the period of the war with Mexico he had risen to 1st lieutenant of the U. S. brig "Lawrence," stationed off the Rio Grande river, under the orders of, and co-operating with, the army under Gen. Zachary Taylor. During the late war he commanded the "Santiago de Cuba," and the "Shenandoah." While in command of the latter vessel, was in the bombardments that resulted in the capture of Fort Fisher, where the naval forces were under Adm. Porter. He rose to the rank of commodore and died May 5, 1868.
COM. CICERO PRICE, born in Kentucky, Decem- ber 1, 1805. Was appointed midshipman and entered the navy, February 1, 1826; became passed midshipman April 28, 1832; lieutenant, September 6, 1837; commander, Sep- tember 14, 1855; captain, July 16, 1862; commodore, De- cember 29, 1866. Placed on the retired list, December 2, 1867. Died at Troy, N. Y., November 24, 1888.
COM. ROBERT L. PHYTHIAN, appointed from Kentucky as cadet at the Naval Academy, January 28, 1853. When the war broke out, had risen to the rank of lieutenant. Commissioned lieutenant-commander July 16, 1862; in command of ironclad "Lehigh," South At- lantic blockading squadron, 1863-4; on "New Ironsides," 1864-5; promoted to commander, July 13, 1870; captain,
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Union Regiments of Kentucky.
October 12, 1881; commodore, July 31, 1894. Now sta- tioned at Washington as superintendent Naval Observa- torv. s
COMDR. AUSTIN PENDERGRANT, son of Com. Gar- rett J. Pendergrast, was born in Kentucky in 1829; ap- pointed to the navy from Kentucky, October 14, 1848; at- tached to razeo "Independence," Mediterranean squadron, 1848-32; frigate "Columbia," Home squadron, 1853; Naval Academy, 1854.
Promoted to passed midshipman, June 15, 1854; coast survey, 1855. Commissioned lieutenant, September 16, 1855; brig "Dolphin," coast of Africa, 1855-6; ordnance duty, Washington, 1858; steamer "Memphis," Brazil squadron and Paraguay expedition, 1858-9; frigate "Con- gress," flagship, Brazil squadron, 1860-1; frigate "Con- gress," North Atlantic blockading squadron, 1861. Lieut. Pendergranst was attached to the frigate "Congress" at the time that vessel wassunk by the rebel ram "Merrimac," and during a portion of the engagement was in command; Lieut. Joseph Smith, his senior officer, having been killed.
Commissioned as lieutenant-commander, July 16, 1862; commanding steamer "Water Witch," South Atlantic blockading squadron, 1862-4. On the night of June 2, 1864, the "Water Witch" was boarded by a large party of rebels, and after a sharp fight of brief duration was obliged to yield his vessel to the enemy; commanding steamer "Nyack," South Pacific squadron, 1866-7.
Commissioned as commander, August 31, 1867; ordnance duty, Philadelphia, 1869-70. Died October 23, 1874.
COMDR. DENNIS WALBACH MULLAN, born at Annapolis, Md., November 10, 1843. Appointed to the Naval Academy from Kentucky, September 21, 1860; promoted to ensign, October 1, 1863, and attached to the West Gulf blockading squadron, on steam sloop "Monongahela," 1863-65; engaged in various attacks with batteries on the coast of Texas, 1863-4; was present and participated in the battle of Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864, and the subsequent attacks on Fort Morgan, Mobile Bay, followed by its surrender. Promoted to master, 1865; lieutenant, 1867: lieutenant-commander, March 12, 1868; commander, 1882. In command of the "Nipsic" at Samoa Islands, during the troublous times with the Germans. The "Nipsic" was the only American man-of-war saved in the great hurricane of March 16, 1889. Now command- ing navy yard at Pensacola, Fla.
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Officers from Kentucky in the United States Navy. 103
COM. WILLIAM P. McCANN was born in Paris, Ky., May 4, 1830. Was appointed to the navy, November 1, 1848, and attached to the frigate "Raritan," November 8, 1848; passed through the regular grades of the service and reached the rank of lieutenant, September 16, 1855. Was in exceedingly active service during 1861, and was promoted to lieutenant-commander, July 16, 1862. For three years rendered excellent service in the various squadrons, until August 5, 1864. Ile was in command of the "Kennebec" at the battle of Mobile Bay, where his vessel was lashed to the "Monongahela," fifth in line of battle, and in that position entered the bay, engaging vessels and fort; at night he pursued and attacked the "Morgan," a rebel vessel that had eluded the fleet below, and which escaped by getting into shoal water. . July 2, 1872, commissioned commander, to date from July 25, 1866: advanced sixteen numbers. . Promoted to captain, September 21, 1876; commodore, January 26, 1887. Placed on the retired list, May, 1892; now living at New Rochelle, N. Y.
SURG. WILLIAM T. HORD, born in Kentucky, March 3, 1831. Entered the navy as assistant surgeon, November 1, 1854; promoted to passed assistant surgeon, November 1, 1859; became surgeon, August 1, 1861; de- tached from the "Cyane" at Panama and ordered home, November 11, 1861. Volunteered as aid on Gen. Win. Nelson's staff, at the battle of Shiloh, April 8, 1862; thence with the division till the evacuation of Corinth. Ordered back to the navy June 14, 1862; participated in active service during the remainder of the war. Wrecked in an earthquake at Santa Croix, West Indies, November 15, 1867. Promoted to medical inspector, July 16, 1867. Promoted to medical director, May 1, 1879; retired on account of age, March 3, 1893. Now resides in Wash- ington.
CAPT. HENRY GLASS, born in Hopkinsville, Ky., January 7, 1844. Was appointed to the Naval Academy, September 24, 1860; promoted to ensign, May 24, 1863, and the same year attached to the "Canandaigua" of the South Atlantic blockading squadron. Participated in all the general engagements with forts and. batteries in Charleston Harbor, from July Sth to September 28, 1863. In the engagements with batteries in Stone's river, Decem- ber, 1863, and July, 1864; was at the capture of George- town, S. C., February 5, 1865. Promoted to master, November 10, 1865; became lieutenant, November 10,
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Union Regiments of Kentucky.
1866; lieutenant-commander, March 12, 1868; commander, October, 1879; captain, January 23, 1894. Is now in com- mand of the "Texas."
ADM. JAMES HANNA SPOTTS, naval officer, born in Fort Johnson, Washington Harbor, N. C., March 11, 1822; died at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, March 9, 1882. His father was an officer in the U. S. Army, and commanded the artillery under Gen. Andrew Jackson at the battle of New Orleans. In acknowledgment of his bravery, Gen. Jackson presented Maj. Spotts with a sword. The son entered the navy from Kentucky, as a midshipman, August 2, 1837, and made a cruise around the world in the sloop "John Adams,". in 1837-40.
He attended the naval school at Philadelphia in 1842- 43. During the Mexican War, he served in the "Lexing- ton" on the Pacific coast in 1846-49. He was promoted to master, April 8, 1851, and to lieutenant, November 25, 1851. Though a native of the South, he promptly an- nounced his devotion to the Union, taking command of the schooner "Wanderer" in June, 1861, and acted as captain of the port of Key West. In July, 1862, he took charge of the steamer "Magnolia" on the Eastern Gulf blockade. He was promoted to commander August 5, 1862, and had the steamer "South Carolina" on the South Atlanta blockade in 1863-64. He was transferred to the steamer "Pawtucket" in which he participated in both attacks on Fort Fisher. He was promoted to captain, August 6, 1866; commanded the steamers "Saranac" and "Pensacola" in the Pacific squadron in 1870-72. He was promoted to rear admiral, May 28, 1881, and took com- mand of the U. S. Naval force on the South Atlantic station in July. While on a visit to the ports of that station, he was stricken with apoplexy, while receiving the farewell visit of the British colonial governor at Port Stanley. After his death the authorities gave a lot in the cemetery for his burial, and every honor was paid to the American admiral.
JJAMES N. CARPENTER was born at Shelbyville. Ky., June 8, 1824: Appointed pay inspector, September 13, 1860. He died March 20, 1892, at Berry Hill, Va.
SYMMES H. HUNT was born at Hopkinsville, Ky., September 24, 1841. He was appointed in the navy. November 21, 1859. He served as lieutenant, and re- signed December 11, 1865.
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Kentucky Officers of the Volunteer Navy.
JOHN H. ROWLAND, was appointed in the naval service from Kentucky, September 21, 1858. He served as lieutenant-commander.
Kentucky Officers of the Volunteer Navy.
FROM THE ROLLS AT WASHINGTON.
NAMIE.
BORN. CITIZEN. EXTRA
ORIGINAL
HIGHEST RANK.
Ackley, Isaac.
Conn Ky. . , . May 12, Ist.1. .. Acting 2d Asst. Engr.
Austin, Edw. A . Kv Mo. . . . . June 9, 1863 .. Acting 3d Aast. Eugr.
Barker, Andrew J. L.
Ky Pa ...... Nov. 12, 1861 ... Acting Ensigu.
Beck, William M.
Ky .Ky. . . . May 27, 1864. Acting Ensign.
Bruinback, Benjamin F Ky. Ky. . . . May 21, 1864.
. Acting Master's Mate.
Buckner, Garrett D.
Ky.
Ky .. . . April 5, 1864. .. Acting Asst. Surgeon.
Bagby, Aber H. Ky Ky. . . . May 22, 1863. .. Acting Ist Asst. Engr.
Burk, William.
Ireland Ky .. .. Dec. 16, 1863. . . Acting 3d Asst. Engr.
Brogan, Samuel H
Ky .Ky .. .. April 26, 1864 ... Acting 3d Asst. Engr.
Brindley, John T. Ky . Ey. : . . June 1, 1864. . Acting 3d Asst. Engr.
Cave, Edmund. . Ky Ind .. .. June 9, 1863 .. Acting Ist Asst. Engr.
''ntien, John. Ky . Ohio .... Ang. 13, 1863. .. Acting Ist Asst. Engr.
Collins, George S Ky Ky .. .. Oct. 1, 1862
Acting 2d As-t. Engr.
Collins, William A Ky. Iowa ... June 0, 1863 .. Acting 2d Asst. Engr.
Cooper, Con. A. Ky Ky .. . . July 19, 1864. . . Acting 3d Asst. Engr.
Deweese, Cornelius, Jr. Ky .Ohio .... Nov. 26,1863. Acting Master's Mate.
Downey, William. Ky Ky .. . . June 9, 1863. Acting 2d Asst. Engr.
Dorsey, Greenberry .Ky Ind .... . Oct. IT, 1814 .. .. Acting 3d Asst. Engr.
Fairchild, Josiah B. Conn Ky.
.. Sept. 1, 1862.
Acting Ensign.
Flynt, James M Ky. Mo. ... . Oct. 1, 1862.
Ind. .... Feb. 16, 1863 Acting Asst. Surgeon.
Fitch, Charles T. Ky Ohio .... Dec. 17, 1861. .. Acting Asst. Paymaster.
Farmer, Benjamin A Ky
Ky .. .. Oct. 1, 1862.
Acting 2d Asst. Engr.
vinlick, Charles II Ky
III, .. Ort. 1, 1862.
Acting Ensigu.
tiregy, John. Ky Ohio .... Jan. 24, 1 63
Acting Ensign.
Gilliland, Christopher C. Ky
Ky. .. Oct. 15. 1863. Acting Carpenter.
Hurd, Joseph H. Ohio. Ky. ... Oct. 1, 1862. Acting Vol. Lient.
Hambrick, James W Ky Kv .. .. Dec. 15, 1-63.
n.Men, Winfield S. . Ohio.
Ky .. . MAY 16, 1864.
Acting Master's Mate.
Hartwig, Henry
.Denmark . . Ky .. ... Oct. 1, 1862.
Acting Chief Eligr.
Hayman, George M Ky . Ky .. ... Aug. 12, 1803. Acting 3d Asst. Eugr.
Henar, Frederick Ark Ky .. .. Aug. 13, 1863. .. Acting 3d Asst. Engr.
Horner, Alfred (or Albert) T .. Ohio.
Ky. . . . . March 4, 1864
.. Acting 3d Asst. Engr.
Johnston, Carroll W Ky . Ohio .... Dec. 9, 1562
Acting Ensigu.
Kelly, John A . Ky Ind ... . . Nov. 28, 1863. .. Acting Ist Asst. Eugr.
Ludlow, Albert S. Ky Ky ..... Feb. 18, 1864. .. Acting Ensigu.
Malony, Daniel Ky. Ohio .... Jan. 11, 1864
Ky. .. Aug. 8, 1864
Acting Master's Mate.
Mahatha, Robert. Ky Ky. .. Nov. 7, 1862. Acting Ist Asst. Engr.
Mayhugh, John Ohio. Ky. ... June 9, 1864 . Acting 2d Asst. Engr.
Mckenzie, William Scotland. . . Ky .. .. . May 20, 1864. .. Acting 3d Asst. Engr.
Nicholason, Henry C. Ky Ohio May 11, 1863 ... Acting Asst. Surgeon.
Osen, William R Ky Il1. . April 18. 1863 ... Acting Ensign.
O'N.HI, H. B. Va
. Ky. .. Ang. 7, 1863 ..
.. Acting Ensign.
orcutt, Angustu- C. Ky Ohio .. . . May 19, 1864. .. Acting Master's Mata.
ei'Niel, James. N. J Ky .. . . . April 22, 1863 .. . Acting 2d Asst. Engr.
Platt, George W Ky
Ohio .. . . June 22, 1863. .. Acting Ensign.
Pavy, Ell R
Ky.
THI. . Dec. 4. 163 ..
.. Acting Ist Aast. Eugr.
Perking, Amos G Ky. Ohio .. . . April 22, 1:63 .. Acting Ist Asst. Engr.
Pauli, John W .Ky
Ky. . March 19, 1863 .. Acting 24 Asst. Eugr.
P.ak. Francis M.
Ky
Ky . Dre. 8, 1863 .. . . Acting 2 Asst. Engr.
Puntion, William H N. . J.
.Ky .July 23, 1804. .. Acting 34 Asst Engr.
.
Acting Ensign.
Foster, William C Ky.
Acting Ensign.
.. Acting Master's Mate.
Marshall, Louis J Ky
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Union Regiments of Kentucky.
NAME.
BORN. CIBILES.
ORIGINAL
ENTRY.
HIGHEST RANK.
Postlethwait, George W Ky. Ky ... Nov. 22, 1864 ... Acting 3d Asst. Engr.
Rogers, George W . Ky. P: .. Oct. 1, 1862 .. Acting Vol. Lieut.
Roberts, Orlando L. S. Ky. Ky. ... April 19, 1861 .. Acting Master's Mate.
Shaw, Robert P. K . Mo .... Dec. 11, 1862. ... Acting Ensign.
Summers, John W Ky Ky ... Aug. 9, 1864 .. .. Acting Master's Mate.
Sheffer, Thomas
Ind . ... June 22, 186. .. Acting Ist Asst. Engr.
Smith, William W Ky .Ky .. . . . May 1, 1864. .. Acting 2d Asst. Engr.
Tibbatts, Zachery T KJ
Ky .. ... Nov. 26, 1863 ... Acting Ensign.
Taylor, Henry W.
Pa Ky .. . . May 28, 1861. .. Acting Ist Asst. Engr.
Ky. Ohio ... . Nov. 12, 1863 .... Acting Master's Matr. Williamson, George H.
Winston, John L Ky. Ky ..... Aug. 13, 1863. .. Acting Ist Asst. Engr.
Worrall, William T Ky.
Pa .. .... Sept. 19, 1863. .. Acting 2d Asst. Engr.
Wadell, George. .Ky Ky ..... Jan. 19, 1863 .... Acting 2d Asst. Engr.
Weaver, Samuel. Ky .Ill .... . Dec. 9, 1863. .. Acting 2dl Asst. Engr.
Warrington, Franklin C Ky Ky ..... Dec. 10, 186 ;.... Acting Bd Arst. Engr.
Distinguished Officers From Other States in the War, But Natives of Kentucky.
David B. Biruey, Boyle county, major-general; from Pennsylvania.
Francis P. Blair, Lexington, major-general; from Missouri.
John A. McClernand, Breckinridge county, major-gen- eral; from Illinois.
Ormsby M. Mitchell, Union county, major-general; from Ohio.
John M. Palmer, Scott county, major-general; from Illinois. .
Wm. MeDowell Birney, Boyle county, brigadier-gen- eral; from Michigan,
James E. Blythe, Lexington, brigadier-general; from Indiana. .
Benjamin F. Loan, Hardinsburg, brigadier-general; from Missouri.
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The First Kentucky Caratry.
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CAVALRY REGIMENTS.
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 compa- nies 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 bad 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 Knox- ville, Tenn., had occupied Cumberland Gap and Wheel -. er'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 estab- lishment 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. 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 imme- diately made the following appointments: W. J. Lan- drum, colonel, and Frank Wolford, lieutenant-colonel, of the -- Cavalry Regiment; Judge Thomas E. Bram- lette, 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
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Union. Regiments of Kentucky.
the August election. Col. Wolford was aided in recruit- ing by his younger brother, F. M. Wolford, John W. Let- cher, Geo. W. Sweeny, Francis M. Helveti, Silas Adams, J. W. Jenkins, W'm. Rains, Geo. W. Drye, S. H. Coppage, John A. Brents, J. A. Morrison, J. P. Miller, Win. A. Cof- fey 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 pas- sage 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 com- mand 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 Tth 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 dis- astrously to the Confederates. The conduct of Wol- ford'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 reconnaissance 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, tive 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 Gou. Humphrey Marshall. December 14th, Col. Wolford reported that Maj. Helveti was wounded and raptured 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. Crit-
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First Kentucky Cavalry.
tenden 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 Crit- tenden 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 expedi- tions in that section. At that time it was assigned to Dumont's division of Buell's army. May 5th, in a fight at Lebanon, Tenn., in which the Federals successfully de- fended the place against an attack by Morgan and others, Col. Wolford was severely wounded.
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