Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-03-27

TO them vet.
The remnant of the Guard are now in the
field under the hill, and from the shape of the
ground the rebel fire sweeps with the roar of
whirlwi.d over their heads. Here we will
leave them for momnnt, and trace the for
tunes of the Prairie Scouts.
When Foley brought his troop to halt,
Captain Fairbanks, at the head Of the first com
pony of Scouts was AT the point where the first
voley OF musketry had been received.
The narrow lane was crowded by dense
mass of struggling horses, and filed with the
tnInult of battle. Captain Fairbanks says, aud
he is corroboroted by several Of his men who
were near, that at this moment an uiHcer ofthe
Guard rode up to him and said, "Ihey are NY
ing take your men down that lane and cut oil
their retreat. pointing to the lane at the lett
Captain Fairbanks was not able to identity the
person who gave this order. 1t certainly did
not come from Zagonyi, who was several humid
rcd yards farther en-. Captain Fairbanks exc
ctted this order followed by the second compa-
ny of Prairie Scouts under Captain kehoe.
When this movement was made, Captain
Naughton with the Third Irish Dragons, had
not reached the corner of the lane. lie came
up at gallop, and was about to follow Fair
banks, when he saw Guardsman who pointed
in the direction in which Zagony had gone.
He ook this for an order and obeyed it.
When he reached the gap in the fence, made
by Foley, not seeing anything OF the Guard, ne
supposed they had passed through at that place,
and CALAMITY attempted to follow. Thirteen
men fell in n few minutes. lie was shot in the
arm and dismountcd. Lieutenant Connolly
spurred into the underbrush and received two
balls through the lungs and one in the left
shoulder The Dragons, at the outset not
more than fifty strong, were broken, and, dis
pirited by the loss of their officers, retired. a
sergean, rallied few and brought them up the
gap again, and they were again driven back.
Five of the boldesi passed dowA the hill, joined
Zagony, and were conspicuous by their valor
during k,aRsaest OF the day. Fairbanks and
Kehoe having gained the rear and left of the
enemy's position, made two or three assaults
upon detached parties Of the foe, but did not
join in the main attack.
now return to the Guard. 1t is forming
tnder the shelter of the hill. In front with a
gentle inclination rises grassy slope broken
by occasional tree-stumps. A line of fire upon
the summit marks the position of the rebel III
lantry, and nearer and ON the top of lower
eminence TO the right stand their horse. Up
to this time no Guardsman has struck blow
but blue coats and bay horses lie thick along
the bloody lane. Their time has come, Lieut..
MaythenNi with thirty men IS ordered to attack
the cavalry. With sabres flashing over their
heads, the little band of heroes spring towards
their tremendous foe. Right upon the centre
they charge. The dense mass opens, the blue
coats force their way in, and the whole rebel
squadron scatter in dsgraceiul flight through
the corn-felds in the rear. The boys following
them, sabring the iugitives. Days after, the
enemy's horses lay thick among the uncut corn.
Zagonyi holds his main body till Naythenyi
disappears in the cloud of rebel cavalry then
his voice rises through the air-"ln open order
charge y The Inc opens out to give play 10
their sword-arm. Steeds respond the order
of their riders and qtick as thought, with
thrilling cheers, the noble hearts rush into the
leaden torrent that pours down the inciine.-
With undated fire the gallant fellows press
through. Their fierce onset is not even checked.
The foe do not wait for them-they waver,
break and fly. The Guardsmen spur into the
midst of the rout and their fast falling swords
work terrible revenge. Some of the boldest
of The Southrons retreat into the woods, and
continue murde,ous fire from behind trees
and thickels. Seven Guard horses fall upon a
space not more than twenty feet square. AS
his steed sinks under him. one of the officers is
caught around the shoders by u grade-vne,
and hangs dangling in the air until he is cut
down by hi, friends.
The rebel foot are flying in furious haste
from the field. Some take refuge in the fair
ground, some hurry into the corn field, but the
greater part run along the edge Of tie wood
swarm over the fence into the road, and hasten
to the village. The Guardsmen follow. Za-
gon,i leads them. Over the loudest roar of
battle rings his clarion voice,--"Come on, Old
Kentuck, I'm with YOU" And the flash of
his sword-blade tells his men where to go. As
he approaches barn, a man steps from behind
the door and lowers his rifle but before it has
reached the level, Zagonyi's sahre-point de-
seems upon his head, and his blood leaps to
the very top of the huge bOrn-door
The conflict now RACES through the village
in the public squares, and along the Streets
Up and down the Guards ride in squads of
three or four. and wherever they see group Of
the enemy they charge upon and scatter them.
1t is hand to hand. No one but has share in
the fray.
There was at least one soldier in the South
ern ranks. A young officer, superbly mounted,
charges alone upon large body of the Guard.
He passes through the line unscathed, killing
one man. He wheels, charges back, and again
breaks through, killing another man. a third
time he rushes upon the Federal line, score
Of sabre-points confront him, cloud of bullets
hy around him, but he pushes on until he
reaches Zagonli,-he presses his pistol so close
to the Majors side that he feels it and draws
conyu,sively back, the bullet passes through
| the front of Zagonys coat who at the instant
runs the daring Rebel through the body, he
falls, and the men, thinking their comman der
hurt, kill him with half a dozen wounds.
"He was a brave man." said Zagon,i after
wards, land did wish TO make him prisoner"
Meanwhile it has grown dark The foe have
left the village and the battle has ceased. The
assembly is sounded, and the Guard gathers in
the Plaza. Not more than eighty mount ed
men appears the rest are killed. wounded or
! endorsed. At this time one of the most
characteristic incidents OF the affair took place
Just before the charge, Zagonyi directed one
! of his huglers Frenchman, to sound a signal.
| The buglar did not seem to pay any attention
| TO the order, but darted off with Lieutenant
| Maythenyi. A few moments afterwards he was
observed in another part of the field vigorous
| ~ pursuing the flying infantry. His active
] form was always seen in the thickest of the
| fight. When the line was formed in the Plaza
Zagonyi noticed the bugler, and approaching
him said, ain the midst Of the battle YOU dis
obeyed my order You are unworthy to be a
Il member of the Guard. dismiss YOU" The
bugler showed his bugleto his indignant com
mande the mouth-piece of the instrument
was shot away. He said "'lhe mouth was shot
of. could not hugle viz mon bugle, and so
hugle viz mon pistol ard sabre" 1t is un.
necessary to add, the Frenchman was not dis,
missed.
must not forget TO mention Sergeant Hun
ter, Of the Kentucky company. His soldierl,
e.. IL. Il