The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-24

eCsxcees by large and highly respectable audience
bear Csona NsigaA the Asro Of Lexington. repeat hi
thrilling and truthful narrative Of the siege. On Wodnes
day last the gallant Colonel delivered this lecture for tn
hrst time at tho Cooper Institute, and induced
peat last evening by the Sixty ninth regiment Tn
object Of the lecture being for the relief Of III
famine stricken Irish, II natural 10 suppose that
aside from Colonel MuiiIgans fame, largo crow
Of persons would be drawn the hail. impeled by tn
desire to aid their suffering fellow countrymen ant
women on the dear old land the other side Of the AT
fantc. Az eight O'Clock the hall was 80 crowded Will
people that II almost impossible TO got standing
room Tho Stars and Stripes and the green flag, grace
fully ntertwncd hung in graceful folds over the plat
form, on which were stationed large number Of ou
prominent Irish American citizens An excellent bras
bnd discoursed choice pieces or music Throughout
the evening. fsttt A
Shortly after eight O'Clock Colonel Mulligan, accom-
panied by Richard OGorman Esq., appeared ON the plat
form and greeted with the deafenng applause
Silence having been restored, e n
Mr.. 0'GoxxAS (who occupied the chaip) rose and
said NHsAo #t0. M ifMG
LADIES AND GEsTIxsEE-I am very much bonored IN
being the person 10 present to YOU loyal citizen
(oheersa brave soldier well tried and we'll tested and
man whom not only this nation but the Celtic racethe
immortal mother OF heroeshas good right to be proud
q. James A. Muligan. of Lexington. tremendous
cheering.) IN FtU0 \
Coonel MuLfIGAN then presented himself 70 address the
audience; but compelled stand without utterrg
word for several minutes great the wild ervor
enthusiasm manifested by the people BY wave Of his
hand he at length restored silence and after few pre-
hmnary remarks proceeded tell his experience Of the
siege Of Lexington, substantially as follows:-
II simply the love for his country and that Alone
which called him before them tonight (Cheers.) He
would at proceed to give thcm history his af
fray with the rebels. Just they turning in an
order came Tor them TO report themselves their
psror officer. which was accordingly done, and they
ordered to go to Lexington the next morning and
hold at price which order they endeavored carry
out to the death. (Appause) They had before tn IN
march Of hundred and fifty miles, but met with no
obstrucons. Immediately after arriving Lexington
they camped. Colonel Marshall was then in command
Colonel Marshall had taken $500 900 from the
Bank of Lexington for safe keeping Colonel Mar
shall then received an order to advance, but sent
reply that they had but 700 men and limited quantity
Of ammunition, but that they would hold the last
(Cheers.) The next night 10 O6O men were bronuht
ag inst them found them so well prepared that ihe
enny fell back. In reference to the Home Guard the
lecturer said he had an utter contempt for them-invn-
cibl8 IN peace and invisible In war. The next day by
daybreak the earthworks completed they soon
heard that the enemy were crossing the bridge Tho
Missouri troops were sent out against the complete
y routed them, destroying the bridge large Oody Of
Missourians met the foe In the graveyard and forced
them to retire. The enemy then fired into them
scene the greatest CONFUSION At length every
gun, both cannon and musketry ordered to cease
firing until the cannoncrs Of the enemy picked or
Considerable damage done the enemy one Of their
cannon as dsmolnted and ammunition wagon blown
up That night the 10 900 rereated before their TOO
The next day the enemy sent request to bury the dead
their commander stating that when Gen. Lyon had fallen
they had allowed the Union party to take his
body without interrupon The Irish brigade then COL
lected all the provisions they could and planted their
pieces Of artillery SO to command the city Being
short Of shot, they moulded several adjacent foun.
dry. Thus some lays passed. the pickets nearly over
tapping each other the Irish brigade waiting patiently
ell the Thousand Ct the enemy should again make
their appearance Some part Of Sunday they were sing
fn.va AND Af...
shit and stealing provisions. Uangh tcr and applause
Tho Union had their spies out, and from infora.
Zion received became apparent that on the 18th the
death struggle was TO take place in the morning The
programme Of the enemy to encirce them On the
18th We early hour, heard their drums and saw
advancing one immense black mass Of men,
twenty eight thousand strong with thirteen pieces Of
artillery. Their own officers said there were 81 GOO
The marching column Of that force fifteen miles
long The Rev. Mr. Butler then went around among the
mon and gave them his blessing after which they cooked
their muskets. (Appa,se.) The conflict then com
nights tho fight continued. Tom ole Of the gunners.
stood by his piece nearly all the time and whenever he
discharged the cannon he invariably broke the dense
masses Of the enemy Al noon news came that the hos
pital had been taken. They dreamed that il was
necessary guard sick house. but the enemy ac
tualy charged and took it, with hundred and twenty
dead wounded lying in IT, The brigade found it would
never do to allow tie enemy keep the hospital tho
Missouri regiments hireenth and Fourteenth
dered 10 dsodge the enemy but only proceeded as far
tho sally The Irish Brigade then ordered TO
attack cha ge 1t AT double quick poured ono yoley
INTO tha enemy passed the they went
with the cold Steel and better than that the iron will
till they met the enemy grapped,hen foot TO foot and
teeth 70 teeth till they drove thcm from the building
They drove them from room to room and their bayonets
dripping with blood. Unfortunately they wore un.
able 70 remove tho sick and dying Towards night the
battle was reopcned and kept up till the down.
At nine O'CLOCK the brgate again attacked the enemy
surprised sumo of Colonel Harris men at supper
and captured their coloIs On the 10TH we found
that water cxha sed, and suffered the most
eScFucatng ag ny rom thirst One man. the risk Of
his fe let the camp Tor some water and returned with
. caneen full The surgeons had been taken prisoners
and the wounded could mos be attended to, and were
obliged to lie in agony the field they Captain
Morarty OF Company + who was by profession a sur
geon, ordered 70 the hospital and forty hours
was engaged in amputating limbs, with nothing but
razor The morning Of the 10th broke, the battle
resumed the Irish Brigade being still without pro-
. circle OF mines for the benefit Of the enemy. when
they should attack them, which, when they did, caused
great oss to them. The enemy tried TO counterfeit this
by 70 ling hemp bales In their direction constantly
vancing aid firing all tho time. The foe advanced to
about TO feet with field pieces and fought despe
ratsy with twoeix pouners against them for three
hours Ultimately the enemy cleared the intrenchments
and then desperate hand TO hand fight ensued. They
captured and earthworks, but companies
being ordered up the enemy repulsed Tie brigade
were nearly cut Of ammunition, and but two guns
out OF the i've could be used aud orders given
@ Slowly aud effectively as possible. Both sides
then ceased firing, ana received ro;e from
General Price asking what the ter was, TO which
replied in writing, General, upon my honor don't
through the lines that cartridges be
had and great coister alton followed. On this the
ordered to 20 back to heir trenches without sim
gle charge In their boxes and without amt
they CALAMITY did We snt this intelligence to
General Price aud the place delivered up Then the
foe gaoped IN upon with four six FOUNDERS the COM
mander exclaming 9 Load hem with grape - They
then shouted, " Down with your fags;'' but not
man stirred. Tho green flag Of Ireland, which
foated the carthworks Ave feet broad and eight
hong was pulled dwn by the enemy, but instant it
replant,d IN tue sand by the They then
marched us of, and me in authority said-"Colonel
you must give us your word you won't awav;' and
replied-'We have not done that for good while They
desire take the oath that would not fight against
tho Confederate States in future, which we declined
20 do. III +.r a4ee
The Colonel then went on to give very affecting and
thrihng description Of the suferings of the wounded
after which he entered nto minute particulars Of the
defence Of lexington dwelling tho bravery both COL
lectvey and individually, OF the Irish brigade and re-
atng anecdotes Illustrative Of the combination
OF courage, w.t. fun aud froc svinced by the rolck
ing fellows under his command
The gallant Colonel, concluding his lecture was
greeted again and again with the tremendous cheer
ing midst Of which he retired, the band playing
"Yankce roodlsn and a popular Irish air, known al
"Larry O'G am
was stated that It the intention serenade hin
at the Fifth Avenue Hotel during the night.
Letter from One OF the Fire ZOuaves In
Prison at Charleston.
Tho following letter has been received in this city from