Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-02-07
From the Atlantic Monthly.
THE CHARGE OF FREMONT'S BODY GUARD.

iHk CHAhGE VI FREM0NTS B0Df GUARD
The foe were advised of the intended
attack. When Major White was brought
into their camp, they were preparing to
defend their position. AS appears from
the confessions of prisoners, they had
twenty-five hundred men, of whom four
hundred were cavalry, the rest being in
fRntry armed with shot-guns, American
rifles, and revolvers. 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 ex-
treme left, on the top of spur of the
hill and in front of a patch of timber.
Sharp-shooters 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 de-
tachment guarded their train, holding
possession of the county fair ground,
which was surrounded by high board
fence.
This position was unassailsble by cav
airy from the road, the only point of at
tack being down the lane on the right
and the enemy were so disposed as to
command this approach perfectly. The
lane was blind one, being closed, after
passing the brook, by fences, and plough
ed land it was, in fact, cui-de-Sac. If
the infantry shorld stand, nothing could
save the rash assailants. There are
horsemen sufficient TO sweep the little
band before them as helpessly as with
cred forest leaves in the grasp of autumn
winds; there are deadly mark8men lying
behind the trees upon the heights, and
lurking in the long grass upon the low
lands i; while long line of foot stand
upon the summit OF the slope, who, only
stepping few PAGES back 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, Zagonyi halted his command. (
lie spurred along the line With eager ,
glance he scanned each horse and rider.
To his officers he gave the simple order,
" Follow me Do as do - and then,
drawing up in front of his men, with
voice tremulous and shrill with emotion, (
spoke;
Fellow soldiers, comrades, brothers
This Is your first battle. For our three !
hundred the enemy are two thousand. II.
any Of you are sick or tired by the long t
march, or if any think the number is too $
great, now is the time to turn back" He ,
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
60 on. / will lead you. We have been
called holiday soldiers for the psvements b
of ST. Louis to-day We will show that t
We are soldiers for the battle Your =
watchword shall be, The Union md b
Fremont" Draw sabre By the right v
fank, quick trot,-mar ch 20 2
Bright swords flashed in the sunshine, b
a passionate shout burst from every lip, Is
aud with one accord, the trot passing into
a gallop, the compact column swept on to u
its deadly purpose. Most of them were .
boys. A few weeks before they had left u
their homes. Those who were cool p
enough to note it say that ruddy cheeks /
grew pale, and fiery eyes were dimmed p
With tears. Who shall tell what thoughts d
what visions of peaceful cottages nest q
ing among the groves of Kentucky, or I
Inning upon :he banks of the Ohio or b,
he Illinois-what sad recollections of vi
earful farewells, of tender, loving faces, IN
illed their minds during those fearful th
moments of suspense? No word was ed
poken. With lips compressed, firmly at
linching their sword hilts, with quick ba
ramp of hoofs and clang of steel, honor pc
sading and glory awaiting them, the II
oung soldiers flew forward, eacn brave "
idsr and each straining steed members mi
f one huge creature, enormous, terrible, tn
th
"'Twere worth ten years Of peaceful life, Tel
One glance at their array" a
They pass the Playground. They are an
t the corner of the lane where the wood sp
egins. 1t runs close TO the fence on tw
ler left for a hundred yards, and beyond tn
they see the white tents cleaning ou
hey are half way past the forest when, an
larp aud loud, a volley of musketry ret
ursts upon the head of the column; brt
orses stagger, riders reel and fall, but we
le troop presses forward undismayed. Dol
be farther corner of the wood is reach gol
], and Zsgonyi behOlds the terrible ar or