The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-10-04

I'VE find in the Detroit advertiser of yester .
day sketch of Colonel Mulligan. which is, to
the extent it goes, SO nearly accurate, that we
publish 1t as generally reliable. Colonel Null.
ligan, some years ago, accompanied Stevens
on one Of his expeditions through Central
America. His graphic descriptions of the
events of that journey we have listened to ma.
ny times with the greatest pleasure. As an
orator he has few superors; his command of
language, his earnestness and his commanding
voice, all served to make his addresses peculi.
arly impressive. AS writer he possesses
great force-brilliant, eloquent, and at times
when occasion requires, intensely bitter. We
can confirm from personal knowledge all that
is said of his personal character and habits. J.
Chicago Post, Of Tuesday.
Colonel james a. Mulligan was born 10
the city Of Utica, New York, in the year
1929, and is consequently in his thirty
second year. His parents were natives of
Ireland. His mOther, after the death of
his father, which took place when he was a
child, removed to Chicago, where she has
resided with her son for the past twenty
three years. She married respectable
Irsh> American in Chicago, named Michael
Lantry, who has steadily watched with
fathers sOIlcitude the expanding mind of
the brave young soldier. He was educated
at the Catholic College of North Chicago,
under the superinteudeDce of the Rev. Mr..
Kipselar, row of New York city. He is
a strict member OF the Catholic church.
In 1852, 1853 and 1854 be read law in the
off Ea
gresham from the Chicago District. For
short time he edited the Western Tablet
seml-religious weekly newspaper. In 1856
he was admitted an attorney atolaw in CHI
cago. AT his time he held the position of
second lieutenan, in the Chicago Shields
Guards, one of the companies at
tached to the Irish Brigade now in Mis-
souri,, and which has done so we'll at Lex
ington.
10 the winter of 1857 Senator Fitch, of
Indiana, rendered him a clerkship in the
Department OF the Interior. He accepted
the position and spent the winter at Wash-
iDgtOn. During his residence in Washing
ton he correspOnded with the Utica 1eie.
graph over the nom de plume of "Santa."
Alter his return from Washington he was
|
the news arriving of the bomoardment Of
Fort Sumpter, he threw his whole soul into
the national cause. The Irish American
companies held meeting oil whom be was
chairman. Shortly afterwards be went 10
Washington with letter written by the
late Senator Douglas on his death bed, to
the President, rendering a regiment to be
called the "Irish Brigade" He was elect
ed Colonel, and Immediately went TO work
with will. The course of the "brigade"
up to the battle of Lexington, is we'll
known; it has nobly, bravely, and honora-
bly, done its duty.
Col. Mulligan is worthy of all praise. A
purer. better man does not live in the
State of Illinois. Since he was able to tell
the difference between ale and water glass
of spurious or malt liquor has not passed
bis lips. He is rigid temperance man, al.
though he is jocund and whole souled to a
fault. He is six feet three inches 10 height,
with wiry, elastic frame-a large, lustri-
Gus, hazel eye-an open, frank Celtic face,
stamped with courage, pluck and indepeD-
dence, surmounted with bushy profusion
of hair, tipctured with gray. Honorable
in all relations-respected by all-he has
won his way by untiring industry and un-
questionable courage. On the Goth day of
October, 1859, he was married to Miss Ma
rian Nugent by the Roman Catholic Bishop
OF Chicago.
A fine scholar, good speaker, brilliant
writer, a promising lawyer, Was he when
the banner of the Union was insulted. Now
he is-long may he continue so-one of the
brave defenders OF the Union. In one of
his last letters received by the gentleman
above alluded to, he says: If die, if l
fall in defence of our laws and constitution,
let my example be followed by abby every
man who loves the fame and renown of the
fathers who made US a great and honored
people,"