CHAPTER XIII.
_Charge of the Body-guard._
Advance your standards, draw your willing swords. For me, the ransom of my bold attempt Shall be this cold corpse on the earth's cold face; But if I thrive, the gain of my attempt The least of you shall share his part thereof. Sound drums and trumpets, boldly and cheerfully; God and St. George, Richmond and victory.--_Shakespeare._
The Union army, having completed the bridge at Warsaw, had commencedtheir march toward Springfield. They had arrived at a point fifty milesfrom that place, when they were informed that a body of rebels stilloccupied that town. The Body-guard, under the command of the gallantMajor Charles Zagonyi, were at once sent forward to disperse the rebelband. It was reported that their number did not exceed four or fivehundred. That of the Body-guard was one hundred and sixty.
On Thursday evening this enthusiastic squadron of Union troops startedupon their march of fifty miles. Onward they rode, all the long night.The morning dawned, and they paused a few moments to refresh themselvesand their wearied horses, which had nobly borne their riders forwardtoward that scene of deadly strife. While they were reposing, a horsemanrode up and asked for Adjutant Hinton. The adjutant sprang forward atonce, as he recognized in Johnson, one of the party who had visited himat Warsaw and then left in search of Alibamo and Captain Hayward.
"Have you any tidings of our friends?" asked Hinton, in an excitedmanner.
"Yes; they are now at Springfield. Captain Hayward is recovering, andAlibamo is with him. Fall-leaf and the brother of Alibamo are lurkingnear them, and will render all the assistance in their power. But I hopeyou will not delay long, as a moment may make a world of difference."
Hinton spoke a few words in a low tone to the major, who instantlysprang into his saddle, and commanded an advance.
Onward they dashed. They were just turning a sharp bend in the road,when they came suddenly upon a small party of mounted rebels, who wererobbing the house of a Unionist. One of their number discovered theapproaching guard, and shouted:
"Here come the d----d Dutch!"
The rebels sprang into their saddles, and an exciting chase begun. Butthe horses of the Body-guard, worn and jaded, could not overtake thoseof the rebels, which were fresh. The pursuit was kept up, however, forthe next ten miles when Springfield was reached. Here Zagonyi commandeda halt. He was informed that the rebels were in line, and that theirnumbers were _eighteen hundred_ infantry, and _four hundred_ cavalry.They held their position on the hill, just within the edge of a thickwood, about one mile west of the city, and near the Fair-Ground.
"Is Adjutant Hinton here?" asked this informant.
"Here," replied Hinton.
"I have a word for you, from William Nettleton!" He whispered a fewwords to the adjutant, who started, looked at his watch, and replied:
"It is half past two. For God's sake, major, let us on."
"Friends, soldiers!" said the major, addressing those around him, "weare here, in front of the enemy. Their numbers are sufficiently great tooverwhelm us--almost _fourteen_ to _one_. But we, soldiers, have beentaunted with the name of 'gold-laced body-guard,' 'feather-bedsoldiers,' 'kid-gloved gentry,' and such like degrading epithets. I willnot _command_ you to face such terrible odds, but _I_ wish to go, and ifyou will go with me, I will lead you. If any are sick, let them remainbehind; if any one fears, let him also remain. Who will go with me?"
"_I_ shall go, if I do so alone!" cried the adjutant.
The words were scarcely uttered, when the shout went up:
"We all will go--none of us are sick or worn out!"
"Then forward!" cried Zagonyi, as he drove his spurs into his horse.
They rode rapidly along to the west of the city, and came dashing downthe road which passed the Fair-Ground. It was the party who had beenpursued by the guard, who had ridden up and given the alarm just at thefatal moment, and had thus saved the life of Hayward, by striking terrorto the hearts of his murderous enemies.
The Body-guard came thundering on. They were compelled to charge througha narrow lane or road, on each side of which there was a dense oak wood.It was an excellent position for the formation of infantry lines, as itwould be impossible for cavalry to advance among the trees. And besidesthis a rail fence flanked this road on either side, just at the edge ofthe grove. The rebel lines of infantry were formed on each side of thislane, about ten feet back from the fence. The trees afforded themprotection, and as the guard charged through, a murderous fire waspoured upon them. But, nothing daunted, they dashed onward. Theirpurpose was to gain the open field, which declined gradually toward thecity, and was situated east of the road. In this field their principallines of infantry and cavalry were formed. They had scarcely passed thewood when another obstacle to their rapid advance presented itself. Alarge wagon was placed directly across their path. The horses shiedsuddenly in passing this obstruction, and some of their riders wereviolently thrown; but with an extraordinary effort, they succeeded inregaining their seats. Finally a halt was made, and several of thedaring spirits sprang from their horses, and commenced the work oftearing down the fence in order that the squadron might ride into theopen field, and there form for a charge upon the rebel ranks.
During the whole of this time, the rebels were pouring forth a deadlyfire upon the little band, and many of our gallant guard had bit thedust, while the wounded were to be seen on every side.
But, riding into the open field, the guard were formed into line at thebase of the hill, near the small stream which is the head of Wilson'screek. On the right of the guard, and about one hundred yards distant,just at the edge of a large corn-field, were stationed four hundred ofthe rebel cavalry. At the brow of the hill, directly in front, and nearthe edge of the wood, was the line of rebel infantry, numbering eighteenhundred, all their available force having been brought to that point.
The eyes of Zagonyi glanced rapidly over this scene. Some thirty of hisbold guard had already been stricken down, either killed or wounded. Itwas enough to appal the stoutest heart. But the major did notflinch--his followers were firm and confident.
"We can spare thirty men to charge their cavalry," said Zagonyi;"lieutenant, will you lead them?"
The officer addressed replied.
"Give me the men--_thirty is sufficient_!"
The men were soon detailed, merely changing front by breaking from theright of the line.
"Forward--trot--_gallop_!" The lieutenant had placed himself at the headof his little band, and with drawn sabres, and a wild shout, they rushedupon the foe. The rebel ranks were broken in an instant; the blows fromthe terrible weapons of the guard fell not in vain.
"No further help will be required in that quarter," shouted Zagonyi."Now comes _our_ work. Draw sabres--forward--gallop--_charge_!"
A shout rang out upon the air: "_For Fremont and the Union!_" And onthey went thundering up the hill. As they approached within a few yardsof the rebel line, a terrible fire was poured upon them, but theyfaltered not. Some of the horses leaped wildly into the air, and thenfell to earth dead, but their riders pressed forward.
The rebel ranks could not resist the thunder of this charge. In lessthan five minutes their lines were completely broken, and the terrifiedrebels were flying in every direction. Some took refuge in the woods,and fired from behind the trees, while now and then a squad would for amoment make a stand, but it would be quickly dispersed. In half an hour,all firing upon the battle-field had ceased. The rebels were entirelyscattered, and were flying for their lives. Some had taken refuge in thecity, and concealed themselves in the surrounding buildings.
Now commenced the charge through Springfield. Up and down the streetsrode the guard, charging upon all squads of armed rebels, or pursuingthem to the threshold of their own doors. Terror seized upon them all,and soon the Body-guard were masters, not only of the field, but of thecity itself.
Then commenced the task of gathering together the Union dead andwounded. Seventeen bodies were foun
d lifeless, and removed to the lowerroom of the new court-house, then used as the Union hospital, while somefifty were found seriously or slightly wounded, or announced as missing.Thus ended one of the most brilliant charges history has ever recorded.