The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-11-15
Interesting Account of the Capture and
Subsequent Rescue of Major White.

Correspondence of the St. Louis Democrat.
CAMP LYON, SPRINGFIELD, No.,
Saturday, A. NJ, Now
have previously spoken of the capture
of Major Frank White, the commander OF
the Prairie Scouts. and his subsequent res
cue by the Home Gnards. Major White,
during the last three days of the past week,
passed through more real adventursome peril
than befalls many of the heroes of the pop
ular romances Of the day. Major Whites
command, when it received orders to march
towards Springfield, had just returned from
their long and tedious expedition to Lex
ington and Warrensburg, and men and
horses were pretty well worn out. Major
White himself was really ill and almost
PROSTATE, and when within eight or ten
miles Of SPRINGFIELD, was obliged to dis
mount, and by the advice of Major Zagonyi,
rest for awhile 10 neighboring Iarm house.
With the exception OF five men, whom the
Major retained as bis escort, the battalion
proceeded on its way und:r command of its
senior officer, Captain Fairbanks In the
course OF an hour, the Major feeling better,
started on for the purpose of overtaking his
command. He was Of course ignorant OF
the detour from the Bolivar to the Mt. Ver-
non read, ard not overtaking them so soon
as he anticipated, he supposed that they
must have pushed vigorously On into Spring
tield, ard % spurred rapidly or over what
hc supposed was their path. suddenly,
Wher just on the outskirts OF the town, be
found himself and escort IN the midst of o
rebel eucampment Muskets and rifles were
cooked and pointed AZ their heads, and at
t.Js- Il seemed 10 BE- the intention Of some
g. the mor- violent OF the enemy to make
c.!-A work with them. Their officers, how
ever, promptly jntoS red. ard upon Major
VI h-te giviag his parole thaJ he would
make 10 attempt to escape, unles. rescued,
be IVES allowed Z considerable degree OF
liberty. Tue escort were guarded more
strictly, and subsequently cue OF them, in
attempting to make his escape, was killed.
lie Major T1s taken from tie camp to The
point where tie enemy were making their
preparations for tie approach Of our troops.
Ills sensations while observing the cunning
ambush being lad for bis own troops see.
ing the overwhelming force being drawn up
10 receive them, and fully approaching as
he Cid Chat nothing save miracle would
save them from total aanihilation-can well
DC imagined. When the charge was made
ay I9gouyi's 250 body guards, the Major
WAS placed fairly in front, and was exposed
To the feicast fire and charge of bis own
men. His horse was wounded aud be him.
sell received Q curious bullet scratch. hori~
2ontaIly across his lips, giving him very
much the appearance Of being afflicted with
fever sores. Upon their retreat, the Major
was ordered by Cols Price and Taylor to
accompany squad of fourteen men, detailed
to guard him, and did so. The retreat for
the first few miles vas precipitate. To
elude pursuit they left the main road, and
took TO the by paths and lanes through the
woods and prairles, bat being unacquainted
with the country, they trave ed in circle
Tor over two hours. The amount OF pro-
family INDUCED In when the fact was found
out is described as immense. About ten
o'clock they put up lor the night at the
house OF Union man, some ten or twelve
miles from town. The old gentleman took
no pains to conceal his sentiments, but was
very 10th to believe that the Major was re.