Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-10-14
COLONEL JAMES A, MULLIGAN.

! The following sketh of Col. James
Mulligan, the brave defender of Lexng>
ton, Mo-; has been furnished TO the be-
troit Aduertiscr from gentleman who has
been intimately acquainted with him for
the past tive or six years
| Col. James A. MuIligan vas born in the
city of Utica, New York in the year 1929,
and is consequently in his 32d yea:. His
parents wtre Gatives OF Ireland. His
mother, after the death of his father,
which took place when he was a child.
removed TO Cqicago, where she has re'id-
ed with her son for the past twenty-threc
years. She married respectable Irish.
American in Chicago, named Michael
Lanlry, who has stea lily watched with a
fathers solicitude the expanding mind of
the brave young soldier. He was educa-
ted at the Catholic College of North Chi
cago. under the supe"ntendence of Rev q.
Mr. Kinsellai, now Of New York city. lie
is strict member of the Catholic church.
In 1852. 1853 and 81, he read law in the
office Of the Hon. Isaac n. Arnold, Con-
gresham from the Chicago district. For
II short time he edited the Western ThJk {
semi religious weekly newspaper, in Chi
cago. In 1856 lie was admitted an attor,
ney .atlaw in Chcago.-At this time he
held the position OF second lieutenant in
the Chicago Shields Guards, one of the
companies ATTACHED to the Irish brigadb,
now in Missouri, and which has done so
well at Lexington In the winter OF 1857
Senator Fitch Of Indiana, rendered him a
cierkship in the Department of the lnte-
rior. lie accepted the position, and spent
the winter at Washington. During his
residence in Washington. he corr esporded
with the Utica Telegraph, over the non de
plume Of Satan" After his return from
Washington he was elected captain of the
shield Guards. On the news arriving of
the bombardment of Fort Sumpter, he
threw his soul into the national cause.
The Irish American companies held meet.
ing Of whom he was chairman. Shortly
afterwards he went to Washington with n
letter, written by the late Senator Dou-
glas on his death bed, to the President,
rendering regiment to be called the "Ir.
ish Brigade" lie was elected Colonel,
and Immediately went to work with will.
The course of the brigade" up to the
battle Of Lexington, is well known it has
nobly, bravelyand honorabiy done its du-
ty.
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, n
glass of spirtuous malt liquor has not
passed his lips. He is rigid temperance
man, altho' lie is jocund and whole souled
to a fault. lie is six feet three inches in
height, with wiry elastic frame, large,
lustrcus hazel eye-an open, frank Celtic
face stamped with courage, pluck and in
dependence, surmounted with a bushy
protusion Of hair tinctured with gray
Honorable in al relation respected by
all-he has won his way with untiring
industry and unquestionable courage. On
the 10Th day of October, 1850, he was
married to Miss Marian Nugent, by the
Roman Catholic Bishop of Chicago.
A good scholar, good speaker, bril-
liant writer, promising lawyer, was he
when the banner Of the Union was insul.
ted. Now he is, long may he continue so
-one of the braye defenders of the Union
In one his last letters written to the gen.
tleman above alluded to. he says: "If
die, If fall in defence OF our laws and
Constitution, let my example be followed
by abby every man who loves the fame
and renown ofthe fathers who made us q
great and honorable people"