The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-04-11
THE CHARGE OF FREMONT'S BODY
GUARD.

The foe were advi sed of the intended at
tack. When Major White was brought in
to their camp, they were preparing to defend
their position. As appears from the confess
sions of prisoners, they had twenty-five hun
dred men, of whom four hundred were caval-
ry, the rest being infantry, armed with shot
guns, American rifles and revolyers. Twelve
hundred of their foot were posted along the
edge of the wood upon the crest of the hill.
The cavalry was stationed upon the extreme
left, on the top of spur of the hill, and in
front of patch of timber. Sharpshooters
were concealed behind the trees close to the
fence alongside the lane, and small number
in some underbrush near the foot of the hill.
Another detachment guarded their train,
holding possession Of the county fair ground,
which was surrounded by very high board
fence.
This position was unassailable by cavalry
from the road, the only point of attack being
down the lane on the right; and the enemy
were so disposed as to command this ap-
proach perfectly. The lane was blind one,
being closed, after passing the brook, by
fences and ploughed landi; it was in fact a
cul-de-sac. If the infantry should stand,
nothing could save the rash assailants. There
are horsemen sufficient to sweep the little
band before them, as helplessly as the with
cred forest leaves in the grasp Of the autumn
winds; there are deadly marksmen lying be-
hind the trees upon the heights and lurking
in the long grass upon the lowlands while a
line of foot stands upon the summit of the
slope, who, only stepping few PAGES into
the forest may defy the boldest riders. Yet,
down this narrow lane, leading into the very
jaws Of death, came the three hundred.
On the prairie, at the edge Of the woodland
in which he knew his willy foe lay hidden,
Zagony halted his command. He spurred
along the line. With eager glance he scan
ned each horse and rider TO his officers he
gave the simple order, "Follow me- do as l
do" and then, drawing up in front of his
men, with voice tremuous and shrill with
emotion, spoke:
"Fellow soldiers, comrades, brothers This
is our first battle. For our three hundred,
the enemy are two thousand. Ii any of you
are sick, or tired by the long march, or if any
think the number is too great, now is the
time to turn back lie paused: no one
was sick or tired. 1--WE must not retreat
Our honor, the honor of our general and our
country, tell US to go on. will lead you.-
We have been called holiday soldiers for the
pavements Of st Louis; to-day we will show
that we are soldiers for the battle. Your
watchword shall be, 'Ihe Union and Fire,
mom' Draw sabre. BY the risht flank -
quick trot-malch. y
Brigh, swords flashed in the sunshine, a
passionate shout burst from every lip, and
with one accord, the trot passing into a gal
lop, the compact column swept on to its
deadly purpose. Most of them were boys
a few weeks before they had left their homes
! Those who were cooi enough to note it say
that ruddy cheeks grew pale, and fiery eyes
were dimmed with tears. Who shall tel
what thoughts, visions Of peaceful
cottages nesting among the groves Of Ken
lucky or shining upon the banks of the Ohio
and the lllinois,-what sad recollectioLs of
fearful farewels, of tender, loving faces, tillet
their minds during those fearful moments Of
suspense? No word was spoken. With lip
compressed, firmly clenching their sword
hits, with quick tramp Of hoo!s and clang 0
steel, honor leading and glory awaiting then,
the young soldiers flew forward, each brave
rider and each straining steed members o
one huge creature enormous, terrible, ire
sistible.
"Iwcre worth ten years of peaceful life,
One glance at their array
They pass the fair ground. They are a
the corner of the lane where the wood be
gins. 1t runs close to the fence on their lei
for hundred yards, and beyond it they Sc
J white tents cleaning. They are half-wa
past the forest, when, sharp and loud, vo1
> ley of musketry bursts upon the head Of tn
> colum; horses stagger, riders reel and fall
! but the troop presses forward undismaye(
) The farther corner Of the wood is reached
: and Zagonyi heholds the terrible array. A
: mazed, he inyoluntarily checks his horse-
! The rebels are not surprised. There to hi
:, left they stand crowning the height, foot an
: horse ready to ingulf him, if he shall be ras
: enough to go on. The road he is folowin
: declines rapidly. There is but one thing t
: do,-run the gauntlet, gain the cover of tn
: hil,and charge up the steep. These though,
e pass quicker than they can be told. H
= waves his sabre over his head, and shoutin!
: Forward follow me. quick trot. gallop
: he dashes headlong down the stony roat
: The first company and most of the secon
follow. From the left thousand muzzlt
n bech forth a Kissing food Of bullets: tt
! poor fellows clutch wildly at the air and ia
u from their saddles, and maddened horse
d throw themselves against the fences. The
1t speed is not for an instant checked farthe
o down the hill they fly, like wasps driven
J. the leaden storm. Sharp voleys pour out