Byron Cole (died 14 December 1856) was an American lawyer who served as William Walker's defense counsel during his 1854 trial for violation of the Neutrality Act. He also delivered the popular Walker's pro-Manifest Destiny statements to the public, and he went on to become a member of Walker's Nicaraguan expedition in 1855. Cole brought new recruits under Bruno von Natzmer to Walker's camp at San Juan del Sur after the First Battle of Rivas, augmenting Walker's strength. Cole later advised Walker to turn down an offer of the presidency and make Ponciano Corral Acosta the puppet president in exchange for becoming commander-in-chief of the army. However, his advice was ignored when Walker decided to execute the popular President Corral for treason, and when he decided to revoke Cornelius Vanderbilt's transit license in favor of his rivals C.K. Garrison and Charles Morgan. He was hit on the head with a rock by Leandre Concepcion Cepeda as he struggled with his horse, and he died of his wounds.
Gallery[]
