Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-10-05
Col James A. Muilisan.

The following sketch Of Col, james A
Mnlligsn, the brave defender of Lexington.
Mo, has been furnished TO the De,roi,
Adcerfiser, from gentleman who has been
Intimately acquainted with him for the past
bve or six years. -
Col. james A Nnlliran was borr in the
city or Utica, New York, in the year 1929
aud is consequently 10 h's tbirtv.s second year
His parents we're natives of Ireland His
mother, alter .be death Of bis father. which
TOOK place when hs was child removed to
Chicago, where she has resided xith her SOP
Tor he past twruty three years She usr.
ried resppctablr Irish American in Chicsso
named ID icbsel Lantry. vho has STEADILY
watched with q fathers solicitude the sx.
p,rding mind Of the brsv. young sodsr.-
He was educated at the Catholic college of
North Chicago uuder the superinteudpncs of
the Rev. Mr.. kiuselsr, now of New York
city. lie is strict member Of the Catholic
church. In 1852, 1853, and 1854. he read
law in the Office of the Hon. Isaac n. Arnold
Congressman from the Chicago district. For
short time he edited the Western Taklst. .
religious weekly newspaper. in Chicago.
10 1906 he was admitted IN attorney. .st Law
in Chicago. Al this time he bpld the position
Guards, one Of the companies attached to tbs
Irish brigade, now in Missouri and which
has done so we'll at Lexington. 40 the
winter Of 1857, Senator Fitch. of Indiana.
rendered him a cerkshIp in the Department
OF the Interior He accepted ths position
and spent the winter st W Wsshington. During
his residence IN Washington he corresponded
with the Utica Telegraph, over the non he
plume OF Satan" After bis return frou
Washington be was elected captain of the
Shields Guards. On tbs news arriving of
the bombardment of Fort Sumter, be threw
his soul into the national cause. The Irish
American companies held a meeting, of whom
he was chairman. Shortly afterwards hs
went to Washington with letter, written
by the late Senator Douglas on his death
bed, to the President, rendering = regiment
to be called the Irish Brigade" He was
elected Colouei and Immediately went to
work with will. The course of the "Bri-
sade,' up to the battle of LeXiugton. is we'll
hno"ni 1t has oob!y, braveIy, aud honorObly
done its duty.
Col Mulhgan is worthy Of al praise. A
rurer, heiter man, does not live 10 the
State of Illinois. Since he was able to tell
the difference between ale and water, . glass
OF sprltuOus or malt liquor has not passed
''l'' Nv "a ''hio IlhD,
although h. is jocund aud whole. souled to q
fault. IL. is SIX feet three inches in height,
with a wiry, elastic frsme.-s large, lustrous,
hazel eye.-sn open, frank Celtic face,
stamped with courage. pluck, aud iudepen.
d-nce, snrmounted With bnshy prOfusion of
hair. tinctured with gray. Honorable in all
elatlons-respected by alb has won bis
way by uotiring industry and unques,ionAhls
courage. On the 26th day of October, 1859.
he Was married to Miss Marian Nugent, by
the Roman Catholic Bishop of Chicago.
hne scholar, good speaker, brilliant
writer, promising lawyer, was he wheu the
banner OF the Uuion was nsulted Now be
ls-lonR nay he continue so--one of the
brave defenders Of the Union. 10 one of his
last letters received by the gentleman above
a''nded to, he says: "lf die. foil 10
defence of our laws and Constitution. let my
example be followed by abby every man
VINO loves the fame ard renown of the fathers
who made US great and houored people"