Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 109, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 May 1913 — AROUND THE CAMP FIRE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

AROUND THE CAMP FIRE

STORY OF FREMONT’S GUARD . Unforgetable Ride of Seventy-Five Mlles and Attack on Springfield, Mo., In War. MaJ. Mason Jackson, United States army, retired, who was a member of Gen. John C. Fremont’s memorable bodyguard commanded by Major Zagonyl, tells a story about a fact of history connected with Major Zggonyl's forced march of 75 miles and attack on Springfield, Mo., early in the war, which, as the relator says, “ought not to slumber any longer.” It was an unforgetable ride—7s miles In $1 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-ald. "When a few miles from Springfield,” said Major Jackson, "the major learned that the Confederates were 4,000 strong. His force was less than 500. ‘"What shall you do, major T asked one of his officers. course,’ was the reply. “A mile from the city we came to a piece of road fenced on both sides. Down that we charged, with all the fury of a cyclone, until a large force of the enemy, concealed, opened fire, killing 15 and wounding 25. Then we fell back, took a new position and again. That time we drove the Condeferates and captured ther city. »

"At night, learning that General Sigel, who was on his way with Infantry and artillery reinforcements, could not reach there until the next day, Major Zagonyi fell back 25 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 enemy’s first volley was a corporal of onr troop, Doctor Sloane of Cincinnati. Ho was not badly hurt When he could walk, which was soon, he began the practice of his profession as a surgeon, caring for the wounded. In Springfield he found a well supplied hospital that the Confederateshad suddenly left. Teams were secured to convey the wounded of both sides to the hospital, where wounds were dressed and several amputations were made. "About midnight two Confederate officers came to the city under a flag of truce. They were taken to the hospital, where they asked permission to bury their dead. Corporal Sloane was in his shirt sleeves and they readily believed his story that he was thecommanding officer’s chief of staff, and about to retire for the night. “ 'Be seated, gentlemen; I shall have to rdfer your request to general Sigel.* "It mattered not to Corporal-Doc-tor Sloane that General Sigel was at least thirty miles away, for he was soon back and informed the Confederates that General Sigel complied with their request. Then the corporal commanding went on with his work of caring for the wounded. "It Is true that Major Zagonyi captured the city, but Corporal Sloane and his wounded companions held it for some hours. .1 think history ought to tell that —don’t you? "General Fremont not only had a large and attractive bodyguard, splendidly mounted,” continued Major Jackson, "but he had an ample staff, larger than any other major general’s at any period of the war. "I used to see General Fremont'stwo boys about headquarters. One of them, F. P. Fremont, was a major of the Fifth infantry. The other, Charles Fremont, is a captain In the navy. Charles was a lad of seven or eight at that time. The general had the quartermaster get a pony for him and herode about with the staff or bodyguard. One day he said: peneral Fremont, this pony is too small for me. I want a horse like the rest of the staff/ and a large-sized horse was supplied. The youngster looked like a monkey astride the great animal. "There was much alarm in campone evening. Th'S’modyguard had returned from an expedition witbout Charley Fremont. Mounted men weresent to search for him In all directions. He was found, five miles away, riding deliberately toward headquarters. An old fanner had Invited him- ■ to stop for a luncheon and he had accepted. Luncheon over, the farmer had gone with him to the road and told him to hurry back to camp. It was good advice, for guerrillas had already begun operations in that part of Missouri. I have always believed.' that our marching party that evening saved some pretty good timber for a rear admiral of the navy, to which rank Captain Charles Fremont la working up.”