The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-04-11

follow. Zagonyi leads them. Over the
loudest roar of battle rings his clarion voice
-"Come on, Old Kentuck! I'm with YOU p
And the flash of his sword blade tells his
men where to 60. AS he approaches barn,
a man steps from behind the door and lowers
his rifle; but before it has reached the level,
Zagonyi's sabre-point descerds upon his
head, and his life blood leaps to the very top
of the huge barn-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 youhg officer, superbly mount
ed, charges alone upon large body of the
Guard. He passes through the line un-
scathed, killing one man. He wheels, charg-
es back, and again breaks through, killing
another man. A third time he rushes upon
the federal line, score of sabre-points con-
front him, cloud of bullets fly around him,
but he pushes on until he reaches Zagonyi-
he presses his pistol SO close to the majors
side that he feels it and draws convulsively
back, the bullet passes through the front of
Zagonyi's coat, who at the instant runs the
daring rebel through the body, he falls, and
the men, thinking their commander hurt, kill
him with half dozen wounds.
"He was brave man., said Zagonyi after
wards, 'and did wish to make him a priso-
ner'
Meanwhile it has grown dark. The foe
have left the village and the battle has ceas-
ed. The assembly is sounded, and the Guard
gathers in the Plaza. Not more than eighty
mounted men appear; the rest are killed,
wounded or unhorsed. At this time one of
the most characteristic incidents of the affair
took place.
! Just before the charge, Zagonyi directed
one of his buglers, a Frenckman, to sound
signal The bugler did not seem to be pay
ing any attention to the order, but darted off
with Lieutenant Mathenyi. A few moments
afterwards he was observed in another part
of the field vigorously pursuing the flying in
tantry. His active form was always seen in
the thckest of the fight. When the line was
formed in the Plaza Zagonyi noticed the bu-
gler, and approaching him said, In the midst
of the battle you disobeyed my order. You
are unworthy to be member of the Guard.
dismiss YOU" The bus.er showed his bu-
gle to his Indignant commander: the mouth
piece of the instrument was shot away. He
said, "The mouth was shot off | could not
bugle viz mon bugle and so busle viz mon
pistol and sabre 1t is unnecessary to add
the Frenchman was not dismissed
, | must not forget to mention Sergeant
Hunter, of the Kentucky company. His sol
dierly figure never failed to attract the eye
in the ranks Of the Guard. lie had served
in the regular cavalry, and the Body Guard
had protited greatly from his skill as drill
master. He lost three horses in the fight.
AS soon as one was killed he caught another
from the rebels; the third horse taken by
him in this way he rode into st Louis.
The sergeant slew five men. Il won't
speak of those shot," said he Another
may have hit them; but those touched with
my sabre am sure of. because felt them
At the beginning of the charge. he came
to the extreme right and took position next
to Zagonyi,whom he followed closely through
the battle. The major observing him near
by, said:
"Why are you here, Sergeant Hunter p
Your place is with YOUR own company OH the
left"
Il kind O wanted to be in the 'front.'" was
the answer.
!, "What could say to such a man." ex-
claimed Zasonyi, speaking of the matter af-
forwards.
There was hardly horse or rider among
the survivors that did not bring away some
| mark of the fray. saw one animal with no
less than seven wounds, none of them seri-
Gus. Scabbards were bent clothes and caps
: pierced, pistols injured. | saw one pistol
J from which the sight had been cut away as
neatly as it could have been done by machin
cry. A piece Of board a few inches
: long was cut from fence on the field, in
r which there were thirty-one holes made b,
r bullets.
/ 1t was now nine o'clock. The wounded
, had been carried to the hospital. The dis
$ mounted troopers were placed in charge of
them, in the double capacity of nurse:
i and guards. Zagonyi expected the
= foe to return every minute. 1t seemed likt
= madness to try and hold the town with hi.
D small force, exhausted with the long marcl
: and desperate fight. He therefore lef
< Springfield, and retired before the mex
e morning, twenty-five miles on the Bolivar
t road.
e Captain Fairbanks did not see his com
e nander after leaving the column in the lane
t at the commencement of the engagement
= About dusk he repaired to the prairie, ant
o remained there within a mile of the yi1lap,
: until midnight, when he followed Zagonyi
e rejoining him in the morning.