The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1913-05-01
AROUND THE
CAMPO s3A
FIRE 4G&A
STORY OF FREMoNT'S GUARD
unforsetabIe Ride Of Seventy-FIve
Miles and Attack on Springfield,
Mo-. Early In War.

Dodyguard commanded by Major Ia
gonyi, tells a story about fact O
history connected with Major ZaEon
yi's forced march of IS miles and at
tack on Springfield, Mo, early IN the
war which. as the relator says, ought
not to slumber any longer" 1t was al
unforgetable ride-75 miles In 81
hours, with one short feed for horse
and a chunk OF salt beef, without
bread. for man, writes Lieut.. Col. J. A
Watrous. in the Chicago Record Her
aid
When Il few miles from Spring
field" said Major Jackson, "the major
learned that the Confederates were 4,
600 strong. His force was less thar
500.
What shall you do, major% asked
one of his officers.
Charge and capture the city. OF
course was the reply.
"A mile from the city we came to u
piece OF road fenced on both sides
Down that we charged, with all the
fury OF a cyclone, until large force
OF the enemy, concealed, opened fire,
killing 10 and wounding 25. Then we
fell back, took a new position and
charged again. That time we drove
the Condeferates and captured the
city.
AT night, learning that General
Sigel. who was on his way with in
fantry and artillery reinforcements,
could not reach there until the next
day. Major Zagonyi fell back 20
miles. History has recounted this, but
here Is something about which history
has been silent for more than 48
years:
Among the wounded from the enc.
my's first volley was corporal of our
troop, Doctor Sloane of Cincinnati. He
was not badly hurt. When he could
walk, which was soon, he began the
practice OF his profession as a sur.
geon, caring for the wounded. In
Springfield he found we'll supplied
hospital that the Confederates had
suddenly left. Teams were secured to
convey the wounded of both sides to
the hospital, where wounds were
dressed and several amputations we're
made.
About midnight two Confederate
officers came to the city under 4 flag
Of truce. They were taken to the hos
pital. where they asked permission to
bury their dead. Corporal Sloane was
In his shirt sleeves and they readily
believed his story that he was the
commanding officers chief Of staff.
and about to retire for the night.
Be seated, gentlemen; l shall have
to refer your request to general Sigel.'
1T mattered not to Corporal.Doc-
tor Sloane that General Sigel was at
least thirty miles away, for he was
soon back and informed the Confed-
crates that General Sigel complied
with their request. Then the corporal
went on with his work
of caring for the wounded.
ut is true that Major Zagony1 cap.
tured the city. but Corporal Sloane and
his wounded companions held it for
some hours. l think history ought to
tell that-don't you?
General Fremont not only had q
large and attractive bodyguard, splen-
didly mounted" continued Major Jack
son, but he had an ample staff, larger
han any other major generals at any |
period of the war.
Il used to see General FremCnt's
.wo boys about headquarters. One Of
hem, f. p. Fremont, was major of
he Fifth infantry. The other, Charles
fremont, is captain in the navy.
Charles was a lad of seven or eight at
hat time. The general had the quar-
ermaster get pony for him and he
ode about with the staff or body,
guard. One day he said: General Ere,
mont. this pony is too small for me.
want horse like the rest OF the STAFF
md large-sized horse was supplied,
The youngster looked like a monkey
stride the great animal.
There was much alarm In camp
ne evening. The bodyguard had re.
urned from an expedition without
harley Fremont. Mounted men were
ent to search for him in all direc,
Ions. He was found. FIVE niles away.
Iding deliberately toward headquar.
ers. An old farmer had invited him
stop for luncheon and he had
ccepted. Luncheon over, the farmer
ad gone with him to the road and
I'D him to hurry back to camp. 1t
as good advice, for guerrillas had al.
sady begun operations in that part
Missouri. l have always believed
lat our marching party that evening
aved some pretty good timber for a
Ear admiral of the navy, to which
INK Captain Charles Fremont is
orking up"