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We hear how the brave Guard, finding the foe three times as strong as had been reported, resolved to go on, in spite of odds, for their own honor and the honor of our General, how Zagonyi led the onset, how with cheers and shouts of "Union and Fremont," the noble fellows rushed upon the foe as gayly as boys at play, what deeds of daring were done, that Zagonyi, Foley, Maythenyi, Newhall, Treikel, Goff, and Kennedy shone heroes in the fray, how gallantly the Guards had fought, and how gloriously they had died.
It certainly did not come from Zagonyi, who was several hundred yards farther on. Captain Fairbanks executed the order, followed by the second company of Prairie Scouts, under Captain Kehoe. When this movement was made, Captain Naughton, with the Third Irish Dragoons, had not reached the corner of the lane.
At the same time, Lieutenant Kennedy, a stalwart Kentuckian, shouted, "Come on, boys! remember Old Kentucky!" and the third company of the Guard, fire on every side of them, from behind trees, from under the fences, with thundering strides and loud cheers, poured down the slope and rushed to the side of Zagonyi.
Zagonyi expected the foe to return every minute. It seemed like madness to try and hold the town with his small force, exhausted by the long march and desperate fight. He therefore left Springfield, and retired before morning twenty-five miles on the Bolivar road. Captain Fairbanks did not see his commander after leaving the column in the lane, at the commencement of the engagement.
Colonel Myscall Johnson, a Methodist exhorter and formidable Rebel marauder, is said to be forty miles south of us with a small force, and some of the Union farmers came into camp to-day asking for protection. Zagonyi, the commander of the body-guard, is anxious to descend upon Johnson and scatter his thieving crew; but it is not probable he will obtain permission.
The side of the hill was clear, but its summit, which was broad and flat, was covered with a rank growth of small timber, so dense as to be impervious to horse. The following diagram, drawn from memory, will illustrate sufficiently well the shape of the ground, and the position of the respective forces. B, Lane down which Zagonyi came. C, Lane where Fairbanks led his men.
The circumstance excites curiosity, and we learn that Zagonyi has been ordered to make a descent upon Springfield, and capture or disperse the Rebel garrison, three or four hundred strong, which is said to be there. Major White has already gone forward with his squadron of "Prairie Scouts" to make a reconnoissance in the direction of Springfield.
They were mounted upon bay horses, carefully chosen from the Government stables. Zagonyi had but little time to instruct his recruits, but in less than a month from the commencement of the enlistments the Body-Guard was a well-disciplined and most efficient corps of cavalry.
Yet, down this narrow lane, leading into the very jaws of death, came the three hundred. On the prairie, at the edge of the woodland in which he knew his wily foe lay hidden, Zagonyi halted his command. He spurred along the line. With eager glance he scanned each horse and rider.
D, Dense woods covering the summit of the hill. E, Crest of the hill and clear land. F, Hill-side up which the Guard charged. G, Brook at the foot of the hill. H, Place where the Guard entered. I, Small patch of woods in front of which the enemy's horse were stationed. J, Gate through which the Rebels fled, Zagonyi pursuing. K, Fair-ground into which some of the enemy fled.
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