The Union army, having completed the bridge at Warsaw, had commenced their march toward Springfield. They had arrived at a point fifty miles from that place, when they were informed that a body of rebels still occupied that town. The Body-guard, under the command of the gallant Major Charles Zagonyi, were at once sent forward to disperse the rebel band. It was reported that their number did not exceed four or five hundred. That of the Body-guard was one hundred and sixty. On Thursday evening this enthusiastic squadron of Union troops started upon their march of fifty miles. Onward they rode, all the long night. The morning dawned, and they paused a few moments to refresh themselves and their wearied horses, which had nobly borne their riders forward toward that scene of deadly strife. While they were reposing, a horseman rode up and asked for Adjutant Hinton. The adjutant sprang forward at once, as he recognized in Johnson, one of the party who had visited him at Warsaw and then left in search of Alibamo and Captain Hayward. "Have you any tidings of our friends?" asked Hinton, in an excited manner. "Yes; they are now at Springfield. Captain Hayward is recovering, and Alibamo is with him. Fall-leaf and the brother of Alibamo are lurking near them, and will render all the assistance in their power. But I hope you 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 instantly sprang 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 were robbing the house of a Unionist. One of their number discovered the approaching guard, and shouted: "Here come the d----d Dutch!" The rebels sprang into their saddles, and an exciting chase begun. But the horses of the Body-guard, worn and jaded, could not overtake those of the rebels, which were fresh. The pursuit was kept up, however, for the next ten miles when Springfield was reached. Here Zagonyi commanded a halt. He was informed that the rebels were in line, and that their numbers were _eighteen hundred_ infantry, and _four hundred_ cavalry. They held their position on the hill, just within the edge of a thick wood, 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 few words to the adjutant, who started, looked at his watch, and replied: "It is half past two. For God's sake, major, let us on."