The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1894-11-21
CRUDE CONFEDERATES.
BORN FIGHTERS.
Operations in Southwest Missouri In the
Early Part of the War.

events Of the war In southwest Missouri was
the charge Of Gen. Fremont's famous body.
guard into the rebel camp Mt Springfield on the
afternoon OF October 25, 1861. Major Charles
zagonyi an impetuous and fearless Hun
garian soldier, had the honor OF leading this
dashing raid and routing force of Confed-
crate volunteers four times outnum bcring his
own men. Major Zagonyi's command pos
sessed every feature OF excellence that equip
age and training could give body OF
cavalry. Gen. Fremont had selected and
equipped his kodyguard with great care.
Money had been avished with profusion on
the tall and soldierly foreign troopers who
rode so proudly by the side OF the Federal
west frontier In the fall OF 1861.
In order to understand the nature OF this
bold adventure, which shed such ulster on the
Union cause throughout the Ozarks, and re-
vived the dropping spirit of loyalty in many
despairing hearts, some attention TO the milf
tary situation at Springfield in October, 1861,
will be necessary,
After the battle Of Wilson Creek, which was
fought on the goth of August, 1861, the Fed.
eral army retreated to Rolla, leaving the
body OF the fallen Lyon to be buried by the
rebel victors The hopeful Confederates 90.
cupied Springfield within "a hours from the
time the first gun was fred on that memoir
able August morning, now nearly 81 years
ago. The demoralized Union soldiers hardly
stopped In town as they hastened eastward to
escape the pursuit OF the enemy. Then did the
SHADOW OF DESPAIR
darken many a loyal heart In southwest Mis-.
souri,. Seme OF the Union men had already
Joined the Federal army. and not a few OF
these fell with Lyon ut Wilson Creek The
survivors hurried away with the army, and
did not see their families after tho battle
Many friends OF the Union who had not yet
taken up arms left home and went to Rolla
for protection. The few abe-bodied men
who did not follow the Federals spent most
OF the Fall OF 1861 In the woods Lying
OUT was common while the rebels held
Springfield, and hundreds OF hiding Unionists
slept In the woods every night.
While the deepest of gloom tor the loyal
people hung over the southwest border tho
Confederate soldier and the rebel sympathz-
er reveed In an ectascy Of hope. Those were
the golden days OF the Southern cause. Vic
tory had been proclaimed by the wild rebel
yell on several bloody battleilelds. The
South was aglow with enthusiasm. The
proud sons of Dixie had the ardor and the
undisciplined courage OF Cervantes famous
hero.
The camps OF Price and McColloch at
Springfield after the battle OF Wilson Creek
were picturesque scenes. The most hetero-
geneous elements OF the Southern army could
be seen on the streets Of the infant Queen
City VI tut Oaurks HUOut tne emu OF August,
1861. There were a few regiments of Louisi-
ana troops in McColloch's command wearing
the bright and beautiful gray uniform OF the
young Confederncy. These handsome sons
OF the Creole State were well armed aud
drilled for those early days OF the war, and
their presence gave the rebel camp the high
est tone.
These gallant volunteers. who had left
luxurious homes on sugar plantations to fight
In the ranks OF the army for Southern
rights were idolized by the rebels ladies OF
Springfield.
From the western frontier OF the imperial
Lone star State, where the waters OF the Rio
Grande are musical with thousand mem
ories OF romantic adventure, the daring Texan
Ranger had rlden all the way across the vast
Intervening plain to participate In the glorl-
GUS achievement OF driving back the ''North-
ern invader" This bronzed Indian fighter,
attired in his broad sombrero, fringed buck
skin pants, capaclous boots, jingling spurs,
and pistol belt, was n most interesting specta-
Gle OF the rebel camp.
For the entertainment OF his civilian ad-
mirers, this centaur OF the West would now
and then pick M gravel from the street or
lasso young steer on the town common
while running his horse at a
FURIOUS SPEED.
The Ranger was an unknown quantity yet
In civil war. but to the people OF Springfield
just after the battle OF Wilson Greek he
seemed the most promising chnmnion ot the
Southern cause. He came TO Missouri from
the Indian frontier with the fame and nara-
phernalia OF n reslstless hero The tales that
were told of Hangers prowess md sriII in
fighting the willy savage on the Western nIoins
could hardly have been more imnropahle
but that was a credulous AGE, and few of tha
partisans OF the South who pazed on the mar.
yelous feats of horsemansbin exhibited hv
the bold Texan as he dashed about The reheI
camp doubted the truth of these heroic loo.
ends. That the knight OF the lasso wouia
perform new wonders in decimating The
ranks OF the "hireling foe'' nil Southern
sympathizers about Springfield in september
1861, frmly believed.
u,i,i ih h's % nhutcn rom northwest Arkansas TO
,aor,,i,s ,In uen l9e s haa reserved many
.'. eo.ui.s mnoso nspecl uiu not Suggest any
we, Hs,y eA.rasasaht Iueas OF tne glory OF war.
p,.,a pnoso youus anoun,a.heers from tue Wnite
"'or fes'oh c"n'e 10 'he repe' column as IL
ADVANCED NoRTHwARD.
carrying every variety OF backwoods fire.
arms and dressed In homemade leans
OF various colors. The 1int-lock rife. the
sinple-barrel shotgun and the old Lake
Painter under-striker pistol. made in Sprino-