Rare image of the Commander of General John C. Fremont's personal bodyguard in Missouri

Zagonyi was a native Hungarian who served with the elite Hungarian Hussars in their Revolutionary Army in the revolt of 1848-1849

1822-70) Born in Szinyérváralja, Hungary, he served as a first lieutenant in the Hungarian Revolutionary Army during the 1848-1849 revolt. Known in the United States as Charles Zagonyi, his given name in Hungary was Károly Zágonyi. General Josef Bem assigned him to lead a picked company of cavalry, and he saved the general's life during the revolt, and was himself captured, and imprisoned for two years by the Austrian Army. On July 2, 1851, Zagonyi arrived in the United States, and worked in New York, and Philadelphia as a house painter. He later served in a Boston school as a riding master. When the Civil War commenced, he offered his services to the state of New York, but they refused his offer. General Alexander Asboth, a fellow Hungarian soldier, who was serving as chief of staff for General John C. Fremont, introduced Zagonyi to Fremont. Fremont then tasked Zagonyi to raise, organize and command his personal bodyguard. Zagonyi's men were modeled on the well disciplined "Hungarian Hussars," and he personally selected their matched bay mounts, and designed their dark blue uniforms and hats of the Hussar style. The men carried themselves with great distinction and aplomb, and they were equipped with German cavalry sabers and revolvers. On October 25, 1861, during the 1st Battle of Springfield, Missouri, Major Zagonyi led 300 mounted troops who gallantly charged into Springfield, and routed the Confederate forces. The charge proved costly in terms of casualties and the major lacked the forces to hold the town for the Union after dark, and he withdrew, abandoning Springfield, and his wounded soldiers to the Rebel forces. Zagonyi's charge would become famous, and General Fremont's army would regain control of the town and the Federal army would hold Springfield for the remainder of the war. General Fremont was removed from his command, and his bodyguard commanded by Major Zagonyi were mustered out of the Union army in November 1861, despite the fact that they had signed up as three year volunteers. General Fremont returned to command in the Shenandoah Valley in 1862, as commander of the Mountain District, which included West Virginia, Eastern Kentucky, and East Tennessee. Fremont once again called upon Zagonyi, and assigned him to lead his cavalry, and promoted him to colonel. General Stonewall Jackson and his Confederate "foot cavalry," outmaneuvered and outfought Fremont's much larger force during Jackson's celebrated 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign. Following Fremont's embarrassing performance in the Valley, he was replaced by General John Pope who was assigned to command all of the Federal troops in northern Virginia. Rather than serve under Pope, General Fremont and Colonel Zagonyi both resigned from the army. Zagonyi returned to New York and served as president of the Hungarian Society. Zagonyi Park, in Springfield, Mo., is named for him and his famous charge. A marker in the park indicates where the charge took place, and gives a description of the battle action that occurred there.

Wet plate, albumen carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 3/8 x 4 card. Full standing view of Zagonyi wearing a double breasted frock coat with rank of either major or colonel, a rectangular sword belt plate, and sash hanging from his belt, while holding his kepi in one hand, and his sword in the other. He poses next to a large studio drape. Back mark: E. Anthony, 501 Broadway, New York, From a Photographic Negative in Brady's National Portrait Gallery. Light age toning and wear. Very rare and quite a desirable image, the first one I've ever owned in 46 years!