Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-02-07

ing under the shelter Of the hill. In from
with gentle inclination rises a grassy
slope, broken by occasional tree stumps
A line of fire upon the summit marks the
position of the rebel infantry, and nearer
and on top of lower emnence 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
Lieutenant Maythenyi with thirty men
Is ordered to attack the cavalry. With
sabres flashing over their heads, the little
band of heroes spring towards their ire
mendous foe. Right upon the center
they charge. The dense mass opens, the
blue coats force their way in, and the
whole rebel squadron scatter in disgrace
tul fight through the cornfelds in their
rear. The boys follow them, saber.
ing the fugitives. Days after, the ene-
my's horses lay thick among the uncut
corn.
Zagonyi holds his main body until
Maythenyi disappears in the cloud of
rebel cavalry; then his voice rises thro'
the air, "In open order-charge !" The
line opens out to give play to their sword
arm. Steeds respond to the order Of their
riders, and quick as thought, with thrill
ing cheers, the noble hearts rush into the
leaden torrent which pours down the in
cline. With unabated fire the gallant
fellows press through. Their fierce on
set 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 murdrous fire from
behind trees and thekets. Seven Guard
horses fall upon space not more than
twenty feet squars. As his steed sinks
under him, one of the officers is caught
around the shoulders by a grape vine,
and hangs dangling in the air until he is
cut down by his friends.
The rebel foot are flying in furious
haste from the field. Some take refuge
in the fair ground, some hurry into the
cornfeld, but the greater part run along
the edge of the wood, swarm over the
fence into the road, and hasten to the
village. The Guaidsmen follow. Ia
gonyi leads them. Over the loudest roar
If battle rings his clarion voice" Come
on, old Kentuck, I'm with you !" Aud
he flash of his sword blade tells his men
where to go. AS he approaches barn
| man steps from behind door and low
'rs his rife; but before it has reached
be level, Zagonyi's sabre point descends
Ipon his head, and his life blood leaps to
he very top of the huge barn door.
The conflict now RACES through the
the public squares and along
he streets. Up and down the Guards i,
ide in squads of three or four, and
wherever they see group of the enemy +
hey charge upon and scatter them. 1t =
) hand to hand. No one but has share
4 that fray.
There was at least one soldier in the i,
ranks. A young officer, su-
erbly mounted, charges alone upon a
Irge body of the Guard. He passes :,
trough the line unscathed, killing one >,
ian. He wheels, charges back, and
gain breaks through killing another man. r
. third time he rushes upon the Federal
ne, score of sabre points confront him,
cloud of bullets fly around him, but he
lshes on until he reaches Zagonyi,-he
resses his pistol so close to the Majors
de that be feels it aud draws conyul.
vely back, the bullet passes through the :
ont of Zagonyi's coat, who at the in
ant runs the daring Rebel through the
'dy, he falls, and the men, thinking their
hurt, kill him with half a =
ozen wounds.
" He was brave man." said Zagonyi :
"and / did wish 10 make him ,
isoner."
Meanwhile it has grown dark. The '
, have left the village, and the battle Il"
S ceased. The assembly is sounded,
d the Guard gathers in the Pla-a.- "
ot more than eighty mounted men ap- y. ~
ar the rest are killed wounded, or "
horsed. AT this time one of the most
aracteristic incidents OF the affair took ~
ice.
as
Just before the charge, Zagonyi direct -,
one of his buglers, Frenchman, to
ind signal. The bugler did not -
IN to pay any attention to the order, ',
darted off with Lieutenant Mayhem -
A few moments afterwards he was sw
n in another part of the field vigor- the