Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1868-06-18

in considerable force. A consultation was
held, and when ended, the Major said;
Fellow soldiers, we are here in front OF
the enemy: their number appears sufii-
ciently great To oyerwhclm us-fourteen to
one, but we are well armed, while they
have no bayonets to repel us; encc upon
them and the victory is ours. But we,
soldiers, have been tauntcd with ''gold
Laced body guard 'kid gloved gentry,
and such like cpithets. | viii not com
mand you to face such terrible odds.
wish to go. If any are sick, let them stay
behind. IL anyone fear, let him also re-
main. Who W i'll go with me?'
"We will all 60" was the general re-
sponse.
! ''Then forward cried the commander,
as he drove his spurs into his horse.
They rode rapidly along TO the west end
of the city, aud cane laundering down
the road which passed the fair gronnd.-
They were compelled to charge through a
narrow lane On each side of which there
was dense ood. 1t was an excellent
place for the formation Of infantry lines,
as it would be impossible for cavalry to
advance among the trees. And, besides
this. rail fence ilanked the road on either
side, just at the edge of the grove. The
enemy's line ofinfantry was formed about
ten feet back of this fence AS the guard
passed through, murdcrous fire was
poured in upon them; but nothing daunted,
they pressed onward. Their purpose was
to gain an open field which declined
gradually toward the city, and was situa-
ted east of the road.
They had scarcely passed the wood
when another obstacle presented itself A
large wagon was placed dirccdy across
their path. The horses shicd suddenly in
passing this obstruction, and some of their
riders were thrown violently TO the ground;
but with an extraordinary effort they sue
cecded in rcgaining their seats. Finally,
a halt was made, and some of the daring
spirits sprang from their horses and began
the work Of tearing down the fence, in or
der that The squadron might ride through
into the open field, and there form Tor a
charge upon the rebel ranks.
Gaining this point, the guard formed of
the base of the hill near the small stream
which is the head Of Wilson'S Greek, rem
dcred famous by the battle of that name,
where the famous General Lyon fell. On
the right of the guard, and about one hun
dred yards distant, were stationed 70, r
hundred of the enemys mounted men,
AT the brow of the hill, directly in front,
and near the edge of the wood, was the
line of infantry, nearly eighteen hundred
strong, al, their available force having
been brought to that point.
The eyes of Zagonyi glanced rapidly
over the scene. Some thirty of his bold
guard had already been stricken down, ci-
ther killed or wounded. 1t was enough
F, oappall the strongest heart. But the Ma
! jor did not finch, and his followers were
firm and confident.
1--WE can spare thirty men TO charge his
cavalry" said Zagonyi. Lieutenant, viii
you lead thcm:"
"Give me the men; thirty are sufficient,
] was the reply.
The men were soon detailed, merely
changing front hy breaking from the right
Of tie line.
Forward, iroi, gallop."
The Lieutenant had placed himself n,
the hcaG of the little band, and with sa-
bcrs drawn and wild shout; they rushed
upon the foe The enemy's ranks were
broken in a few moments; the terrible
blows from the weapons of the guard fell
not in vain.
NO further help will be required Of us
in that quarter shouted Zagonyi. 'Now
comes our work. Draw sabers-forward
-gallop-charge."
A shout rang out upon the air which
made the woods re-ecbo, and the ear,l
fairly trembled beneath the tread Of the
horses as they went laundering up the hill
As they approached within a few yards ol
the enemy's lines, terrible fire was poured
upon them, but they faltercd not. Some o
the horses leaped wildly into the air, and
then fell to the earth dead, but their rider.
/ pressed forward.
The rebel ranks could not resist the
thunder of this charge. In less than five
minutes their lines were completely bro
ken, and they were flying in every direc
ton. Some took refuge in the woods, and
fired from behind the trees, while now and
then q squad would as quickly disperse
and in half an hour all firing had ceased
ending in one Of the most brilliant victo
ries ever won, not even second TO that o.
Balaklaya.
But that victory cost fifiy-cight wound
ed, and seventeen killed.
A few hours before the squadron reach
ed Springfield they paused for a brief res
by the roadside. The widows son, tha
boy of seventeen, dismounted, and picket
ing his horse, prostrated himself upon th'
ground. lie drew from his pocket liiil.
book; he opened it and read, on the blanl
page, as he had a hundred times before
these words:
"From mother to her darling son.
God bless and protect him ON the field o
battle"
The boy-solder kissed the book, and
something like tear-drops glistened in hi.
eyes. But he was among strong men, and
must not weep. lest he should appear to
be weak in their eyes. But he turned
over the leaves of his Testament, and was
busiy engaged in reading its pages wher
the order came TO mount. Placing his
book again in his breast, he leaped cheer
fully into his saddle, and dashed off viii