(center section) Colonel Jacob Wark Griffith, twice brevetted Brigadier General at close of the Civil War.
Twice elected to the House of Representatives. Served with Humphrey Marshall's First Kentucky Cavalry in the Mexican War. Commanded the first Wagon Train at this period to cross the plains - The Lone Jack Unit. Before arrival in California suffered many attacks. Rescued a party of pioneers at Donner Lake.
Civil War. Organized a Company of Cavalry for the Confederate Colonel of the First Regiment. Five times wounded - twice desperately, once at Hewey's Bridge, Alabama, May 9, 1862, once after the capture of a 1500 Mule Train in the Sequatchie Valley October 2, 1862. After a large number of Confederates had been repulsed, General Wheeler asked Colonel Griffith to attack. "Ten minutes later, the train had been captured. Suffering from previous wounds at the battle of Charleston, Tennessee, December 28, 1863, was unable to ride or walk. At a critical point in the battle the First Kentucky was ordered to charge. Colonel Griffith not being able to lead his command on horseback, commandeered a horse and buggy. Was helped in and led his Regiment to a victorious charge. Calvary probably never before having been led that way in all history.
Data from Rudd's History of Kentucky, History of Orphan Brigade
Colonel Griffith's Unit was honored as escort to Jefferson Davis on his way South after Lee's surrender April 9, 1865. Davis was captured May 10, 1865, at Irwinville, Georgia, and here also Colonel Griffith was forced to surrender (U.S. Government Record) - and later came to his death largely as a result of the wounds he had suffered.