From Noted Guerillas and Distinguished Patriots, By Maj. J.A. Brents, 1st Kentucky Cavalry

A brief biography of Adair native, one of writer Major J.A. Brents' "Distinguished Patriots," After his surrender, General John Hunt Morgan gave his silver spurs to Colonel Frank L. Wolford

Colonel Wolford is forty-five years old. He is heavy built, but not tall; has black hair, a gray, restless eye, and a Roman nose; dresses plainly, and is quite homely. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and never drinks intoxicating liquors.

He resides in Liberty, Ky., and is a lawyer of high standing. He is very effective before a jury. In society he is fond of a joke, and keeps everybody in his presence in good humor. He has been a member of the Kentucky Legislature, but is no politician, and is strongly opposed to the use of money or liquors in elections. He is a widower, his wife having died several years ago, leaving him three children, two boys and a girl.

During the war with Mexico he raised a company, but as their services were not received, he enlisted as a private in another company-the 2d Kentucky regiment, commanded by Colonels McKee and young Henry Clay. He was in the battle of Buena Vista, and near Colonel Clay when he received his first wound. He called together a squad of soldiers, told them that they must save their Colonel, and directed two of them to take Colonel Clay in their arms, which they did, when the others formed a circle around them, and with their bayonets kept the Mexicans off. In this order they proceeded about half a mile, when they were compelled to abandon their gallant Colonel, some of the men being killed, and circle broken. Wolford and one other soldier only of this squad made their escape. Colonel Wolford has always been an uncompromising Union man, even when others were talking about the glorious results to be derived from a condition of neutrality, a proud position Kentucky occupied-that while the storm was raging, and all was confusion and excitement on every side,

Kentucky remained calm, and stood majestic, bidding defiance to the waves of passion that were surging and beating against her ship of state; that Kentucky would become the most honored member of the confederacy. Colonel Wolford told them that this was very pretty talk, but as for him, he knew no neutrality; the strife was between his country and traitors who were attempting to destroy it; and if Kentucky permitted others to crush the rebellion and restore the Union without her help, she would be the most dishonored State of the Union.

In July he received a commission as colonel of cavalry, and at once set about to recruit his regiment. On August 3d, three companies of his regiment went into camp at Camp Dick Robinson. It was not long before his regiment numbered twelve companies. He is a brave, energetic officer, and restless unless in active service; is very kind to his soldiers, and beloved by all of them. If there is any fighting to be done, he wants to

do a part of it.

He is perfectly cool upon the battlefield, not appearing to be the least excited. His regiment has done service in all parts of Kentucky and Middle Tennessee. The Colonel distinguished himself at the battles of Wild Cat, October 21st, 1861, Mill Springs, January 19th, 1862, and Lebanon, Tenn., May 5th, 1862, where he was severely wounded. Besides these battles, his regiment has been in many skirmishes, and done good service as scouts.

From the book, The Patriots and Guerillas of East Tennessee and Kentucky The Sufferings of the Patriots Also the Experience of the Author as an Officer in the Union Army Including Sketches of NOTED GUERILLAS AND DISTINGUISHED PATRIOT By Major J. A. Brents New York, J. A. Brents HENRY DEXTER, PUBLISHER'S AGENT, 113 NASSAU STREET 1863. Courtesy of Walker A. Brents, Ft. Worth, Texas.