Overview

Colonel Frank Wolford, the acclaimed Civil War colonel of the First Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry, is remembered today primarily for his unenviable reputation. Despite his stellar service record and widespread fame, Wolford ruined his reputation and his career over the question of emancipation and the enlistment of African Americans in the army.   Unhappy with Abraham Lincoln’s public stance on slavery, Wolford rebelled and made a series of treasonous speeches against the president. Dishonorably discharged and arrested three times, Wolford, on the brink of being exiled beyond federal lines into the Confederacy, was taken in irons to Washington DC to meet with Lincoln. Lincoln spared Wolford, however, and the disgraced colonel returned to Kentucky, where he was admired for his war record and rewarded politically for his racially based rebellion against Lincoln.   Although his military record established him as one of the most vigorous, courageous, and original commanders in the cavalry, Wolford’s later reputation suffered. Dan Lee restores balance to the story of a crude, complicated, but talented man and the unconventional regiment he led in the fight to save the Union. Placing Wolford in the context of the political and cultural crosscurrents that tore at Kentucky during the war, Lee fills out the historical picture of “Old Roman Nose.”   

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9781612348513

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Excerpt from Wolford's Cavalry: If many of [Wolford's] political notions have become unacceptable in what we hope and believe is a more enlightened time, his record as a fighting Union man remains as one to be honored. That is the way it is with Wolford. Every statement of fact about this exasperating Kentuckian can be countered with, Yes, but . . . Therein lies the interest and the aggravation. --Dan Lee FORUM (3/22/2016 12:00:00 AM) Whether a student of the Civil War, someone captivated by a border state's attitude towards the issues dividing the nation at that time, or someone interested in a biography of a little-known yet patriotic man, this book is well worth the read. --Marc Storch, FORUM--Marc Storch FORUM This book is well worth reading, not only for the military history it covers but for the social, political, and economic consequences of war. --Charles H. Bogart, Journal of America's Military Past--Charles H. Bogart Journal of America's Military Past

Excerpt from the Preface to Wolford s Cavalry If many of [Wolford s] political notions have become unacceptable in what we hope and believe is a more enlightened time, his record as a fighting Union man remains as one to be honored. That is the way it is with Wolford. Every statement of fact about this exasperating Kentuckian can be countered with, Yes, but . . . Therein lies the interest and the aggravation. --Dan Lee (03/22/2016)

Excerpt from <i>Wolford s Cavalry</i> If many of [Wolford s] political notions have become unacceptable in what we hope and believe is a more enlightened time, his record as a fighting Union man remains as one to be honored. That is the way it is with Wolford. Every statement of fact about this exasperating Kentuckian can be countered with, Yes, but . . . Therein lies the interest and the aggravation. --Dan Lee (03/22/2016)

"""This book is well worth reading, not only for the military history it covers but for the social, political, and economic consequences of war.""—Charles H. Bogart, Journal of America's Military Past ""Whether a student of the Civil War, someone captivated by a border state's attitude towards the issues dividing the nation at that time, or someone interested in a biography of a little-known yet patriotic man, this book is well worth the read.""—Marc Storch, FORUM Excerpt from Wolford’s Cavalry:  “If many of [Wolford’s] political notions have become unacceptable in what we hope and believe is a more enlightened time, his record as a fighting Union man remains as one to be honored. That is the way it is with Wolford. Every statement of fact about this exasperating Kentuckian can be countered with, “Yes, but . . . ”  Therein lies the interest and the aggravation.”  "

Author Information

Dan Lee is a Civil War historian and the author of several books, including The L&N Railroad in the Civil War: A Vital North-South Link and the Struggle to Control It and Thomas J. Wood: A Biography of the Union General in the Civil War.  

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