The Eighth Tribe, 1978 (5. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1978-08-01 / 8. szám
Page 6 THE EIGHTH TRIBE August, 1978 Decoration of Zágonyi’s Marker company reached the enemy camp they found it deserted. Zagonyi collected about 50-60 of his scattered cavalrymen, turned and charged into the city, where alighting from their steeds, another 30-40 guardsmen fought the rebels for possession of the city. With one blow Zagonyi’s unit decided the battle. Some of the rebels were cut down; many fled the city. The company’s flag was hoisted over City Hall to proclaim the victory of the North. Political prisoners were liberated. The daring and furious charge brought heroic death to 17 members of the company and 116 enemy deaths within the city and nearby fields. The hard night-ride, the near-confusion of the crossfire and the heat of the battle made the Guards weary to the point that most of them could stay in the saddle only by hanging on to the mane. Fremont’s poorly prepared and poorly led units brought the failure of the advance upon themselves. The only brilliant action remained the charge of death at Springfield by which Zagonyi saved the state of Missouri for the Union, which became a real military factor in the Mississippi Valley, a fact which became very evident the following year when Grant’s activities there were factors in deciding the final course of the Civil War. Zagonyi became a hero of the Union and his name was carried for many days on the front pages of the newspapers of the North. The “American Balaklava” was conspicuously absent from the President’s list of heroic deeds. Circumstances goaded President Lincoln to relieve Fremont on November 2 and his successor disbanded the Guards shortly after the Springfield victory. It wasn’t the first time in history that lip-serving politicians, in the midst of a “great cause”, smeared military heroes with muck and mire instead of due respect. This now was also the fate of Zagonyi. The people of Springfield, however, engraved the names and heroic deeds of Zagonyi and the Guards in marble, which a century later proclaims not only that an “alien officer” risked his life to save the Union, but also teaches the citizens of a Godblessed nation, united by much blood and tears, that, if need be, one must risk his life to defend this nation from all domestic and foreign foes. Amidst current world crisis one finds real meaning and importance in the century old brilliance of the heroic Hungarian Hussar officer. Indeed, a proud heritage, never to be forgotten! Bethlen Almanac, 1960 ABOUT THE AUTHOR László L. Eszenyi is the Executive Vice President of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America and Controller of the Bethlen Home. He is the author of many articles and books written about Hungarian-Americans. His latest book is “FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH — HÍVEN MINDHALÁLIG” written in English and Hungarian about Col. Michael Kovats de Fabrici, printed by Bethlen Press. Order slip on last page.
