Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-10-04
Colonel J. A. Muliigan.

We find in the Detroit .Adrertiser ofycstcr-
day sketch of Col. Mulligan, which is, to the
extent it goes, so nearly accurate that we
publish it as generally reliable. Col. Multi
gan some years ago accompanied Stevens on
one of his expeditions through Central Amer
lea. His graphic descriptions of the events
of that journey we have listened to many
times with the greatest pleasure. AS an Or
ator he has few superiors; his command of
language, his earncstneSs and his command
ing voice, all served to make his addresses
peculiarly impressive. As writer he pos
scsscd great iorce--brilliant eloquent, and at
times when occasion requires il, intensely
bitter. We can confirm from personal know
ledge all that is said of his personal character
and habits:
The following sketch Of Col JAS A. Multi
gan, the brave defender of Lexington, Mo-,
we learn from gentleman of this city who
has been intimately acquainted with him for
the past five or six years:
Col JAS. A. Mulligan was born in 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 ofhs father, which took place
when he was a child, removed to Chicago,
where she resided with her son for the past
twenty. three years. She married a rcspccta
ble lrish-American in Chicago named Michael
Lontry, who has steadily watched with IA
TIERS soci'ude the expanding of the
brave young soldier He was educated at
the Catholic College of North Chicago, under
the superintendent of the Rev Mr.. kinscllar,
now of New York city. lie is strict mem
Der of the Catholic chuch In 1852, 1853,
and 1Sji he read law in the office of the Hon.
Isaac n. Arnold, Congressman from the Chi
cago District For short time he edited the
Western 7abiet, scmi,regious weekly news
paper. In 1886 he was admitted an attorney
at law in Chicago. At dis time he held the
position Of second lieutenant in the Chicago
Shields Guards, one Of the companies attach
cd to the Irish Brigade now in Missouri, and
which has done so well at Lexington
In the winter of 1867 Senator Fitch, of IN
diana, rendered hima clerkship in the depart
ment fthe interior. He accepted the posi-
ton and spent the winter at Washington
During his residence in Washington he cores
pondcd with the Utica Telegraph over the
Nome de Plume of" Santa After his re-
turn from Washington he was elected Captain
of the Shields Guards. On the news arriving
of the bombardment Of Fort Sumter, he threw
his soul into the national cause. The Irish
American companies held meeting Of which
he was chairman Shortly afterward he went
to 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 elected
Colonel, and Immediately went to work with
will. The course of the brigade" up to
the battle at Lexington, is well known; it
has nobly, bravely and honorably done its
duty .#.
Col. Mulligan is worthy of all praise. A
purcr or better man does not live In the State
of Illinois. Since he was able to tell the dif
ference between ale and water, glass of spir-
ituous or malt liquor has not passed his lips 4
llo is rigid temperance man, although he is
iocuDd and whole-soucd to n fault. lie is
six feet three inches in height, with wiry,
elastic framc-a large, lustrous, halle eye
an open, frank, Celtic face, stamped with cour-
age, pluck and independence, surmounted
with bushy profusion of hair tnctured
with gray, Honorable in all relations--re-
spected by all-hc has won his way by IN
| firing industry and unquestionabIc courage
On the 26th day Of October, 1859, he was
married to Miss Marian Nugent, by the Ro
man Catholic Bishop of Chicago. a -.r. |
"A fine scholar, good speaker, brilliant
writer, c. promising lawyer,was he when the
banner Of the Union was insultcd. 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, be says, 4" II / die, if fall in de-
fense of our laws and constitution, let my ex.
ample be followed by all-by every man who
loves the fame and renown ofthe fathers who
made US great and honored people"