Year: 1862

From the Atlantic Monthly, for February.


The foe were advised of the intended at
tack. When Mjor White was brought
into their camp, they we're preparing to de-
fend their position. As appears from the
confessions of prisoners, .thry had twenty
two hundred men, of whom four hundred
were cavalry, the rest being infantry, armed
with shot-guns, American rifles, and re-
volvers. Twelve hundred of their foot
were posted along the edge of the wood
upon the crest of the hill. The cavalry
was stationed upon the extreme left. on top
of spur of the hill and in front of patch
of timber. Sharp-shooiers were concealed
behind The trees close to the fence along
side the lane, and small number in some
underbrush near the foot Of the hill. An
other detachment guarded their train, hold
! ing possession Of the county fair ground,
which was surrounded by high board
fence.


This position was unassailable by caval-
ry from the road, the only point of attack
being down the lane on the right; and the
enemy were so disposed as to command this
approach perfectly. The lane was blind
one, being closed, after passing the brook,
by fences and ploughed land; it was in fact,
a cul-de-sdc. If the infantry should stand,
nothing could save the rash assailants.
There are horsemen sufficient to sweep the
little band before them, as helplessly as the
wihered forest-leaves in the grasp of the
autumn winds there are deadly marksmen
lying behind the trees upon the heights and
lurking in the long grass upon the lowlands
while long line of foot stand upon the
summit of the slope, who, only stepping a
few PAGES back into the forest, may defy
the boldest riders. Yet, down this narrow
lane, leading into the very jaws of death
came the three hundred.


On the prairie, at the edge of the wood
land in which he knew his willy foe lay hid
dei. Zagonyi halted his command. He
spurred along the line. With eager glance
he scanned each horse and rider. To his
officers he gave The simple order, " Follow
me do as do! and then, drawing up in
front of his men, with voice tremulous
and shrill with emotion. spoke:


Fellow soldiers comrades, brothers
This is your first battle. For our three
hundred the enemy are two thousand. II
ary of you are sick, or tired by the long
march, or if any think the number too great,
now is the time to turn back" He paused
no one was sick or tired. We must moi
retreat. Our honor, the honor of our Gen
eral and our country, tell us to go on.
will lead you. We have been called holi-
day soldiers for the pavements of St. Louis
to-day we will show that we are soldiers for
the battle. Your wa:chword shall be-. The
Union and Fremont Draw sabre by
the right hank,-quiek trot-march "


Bright swords flashed in the sunshine. a
passionate shout burst from every lip, and
with one accord, the irot passing into gal
lop, the compact column swept on TO its
deadly purpose. Most of them were boys
A few weeks before they had left thei'
homes. Those who were cool enough tc
note it say that ruddy checks grew pale
and fiery eyes were dimmed with tears
Who shall tell what ihoughts.-what vision:
of peaceful cottages nesting among the
groves of Kentucky or shining upon the
banks of the Ohio and the Illinois,-wha'