Year: 1861

feated and drove 1900 away 20 efectualy that the
little guard left behind was able 10 hold the town
for two days, until the remainder of the army
came up.


The loss Of the Body Guard, as far as can be as
certained at this time, amounts to l6 killed, 70
wounded and 10 missing. Only those who are seri-
ously wounded are included in these figures. Many
more received slight injuries, but are now able to be
on duty. Major Zsgonyi, who rode at the head oil
bis men through the whole fight, did not receive a
single scratch though one bullet cut his clothing
across the breast. One of his sergeants had three
horses shot under him. Another Of his men received
one ball in backing-box, which he carried in his
pockets; and second bullet passed through his coat,
vest, and shirts, but did not break the skin. Ser
geant Hunter, of Company C, had his horse shot in
seven places; and more than two-thirds Of all the
horses were wounded.


Yesterday morning visited the field on the west
side of town, where the first charge was made. Tie
dead horses are still lying upon the ground; the
trees in the vicinity are cut and torn with balls;
thirty y-six bullet-holes have been found in single
fence rail- and the ground in many places, is still
red with blood.



in the engagement-A, B, and C. The latter was
armed with Beals revolvers six shots and sabers,
and the two former, in addition to these weapons,
carried Colts revolving carbinss (six shots After
they had given all their fire. there was no time
to reload and the most effective work of the day
was done with the sabers. At the close of it, almost
every saber in the command was streaked and
stained with blood.


1t is claimed that Major Frank j. White s{battalion
of Prairie Scouts, though it did not participate in
the charge, rendered effective service by attacking
the rebels in the rear, as they Were retreatng in
confusion. Major White himself who was so i'll
that he was unfit to be out of his bed, was taken
prisoner by the rebels, while riding in buggy four
or five miles In the Of his command but after
ward rescued by party Of Home Guards, who took
not only himself, but the twelve rebels who were
carrying him away, and those rebels are still
prisoners in our camp. Major White then took COM
rpand Of the town. and held it until reinforce
ments came up, on Sunday morning. He will prob
ably make official report in day or two, Of the
part which bis command took in the affair; and
until then refrain from giving any account, Of it,
as there is some conflict Of testimony upon the sub
ject. Major White and his men however enjoy a
well-esrned reputation, for their dssh into Lexing-
ton and rescue of our prisoners there, few days
before.


The funeral Of fourteen Of the Body Guard, and
two men Of Maj. Whites command, occurred yester-
day, and was attended by the MajorGeneral and
staff, portion of the army and many Of the people
Of Springfield. The bodies were inclosed in plain,
unpanted cofns and all inferred in one grave, with
military honors. The services were conducted by
the Rev. c. NJ. Blake, the Staff Chaplain. The six
teen rderess horses, which followed tie remains to
the grave, told the cost at which the victory was
won; and while the dust was being committed to
dust, with the solemn and impressive Episcopalian
service there were few dry eyes among the stricken
band who had gathered to do the last earthly honors
10 their fallen comrades.


II is impossible 10 arrive at anything like knowl-
edge of the loss of the Rebels. We kaoc, however,
of "a who were killed on the ground and while |
would rather err the safe side than fall into the
smost universal error Of oventatng the loss Of the
enemy, / am convinced that their killed, wounded
and missing are At least double ours. The Rebels
had isent their entire baggage southward in the
morning, and were designing TO march that evening,
knowing that our army was within hfiy or sixty
miles of them but they were utterly astounded by
the frmness and impetuosty Of the attack, and some
Of their infantry confused that they dropped
their arms and ran 10 and fro like men distracted.
Their cavalry did very little service beyond enabling
the riders who had fresh hones to escape from ours,
which were thoroughly jaded when the fight beg IN.
As much as the Rebels boasted OF their superior
equestriansm before the broke out il has not in
single instance, in the Western Department
proved efficient, when put TO the test.


When Major Zagonyi was sent out TO reoonnoiter
the country and, if practicable, take possession Of
Springfield, it was not sUpposed that there were
more than three or four hundred rebels here that
was actually the case only few days before.
When he reached this vicinity ard learned of their
overwhelming numbers it would doubtless have
been good generalship for him 10 fall back and wait
for reenforcemens. But the idea had been 80 indus
triously given out by those who seem 10 hate the
Commanding. General Of this Department more than
they love the Union, that the BodyGua was q sort
of kid glove, ornamental corps, intended only iC
swell the retinue and add to the display Of Gen.
Fremont and not fit for hard service, that every
man in il was eager TO remove the unjust and un'
generous imputaton. That they have accomplished


it, their bitterest foe cannot deny; and if any think
the cost too great, let them remember where the
blame lies


As Mai Zagonyis first account Of the affair wa,
read to the various regiments, in pursuance Of an
order from Gen. Fremont, every man seemed TO re
gard It with personal pride and gratiicaton and in
spite Of the damaging reports which come TO Us b,
the precarous mails that in pursuance of Gen. Cam
erons order all work upon the st. Louis fortfcation
has been stopped, though the guns were ready fo
mounting, that the officers whom Gen. Fremont ha,
appointed are not to be paid, aud that the Generals
removal has been resolved upon, even while he is IL