Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-10-04

and chaplain of the Irish Brigade, wa
wounded in the forehead by ball whic
passed across it, laying open the skim
I lie was taken prisoner, as also was DI
Winner, Surgeon of the Brigade, thu
depriving the regiment of the valuabl
services of both during the dark and try
: ing days that followed previous to tn
surrender.
The issue of the 18th warned the en-
envy that they had task before then
which was no easy one, and they com
menced on Friday morning a new sys
tenn of approaches. They secured tn
entire region for its staple, hemp in bales
These were thoroughly wetted as a safe
guard against red hot shot, and theI
we're skillfully used to mask the batteries
of the rebels, and rolled forward as they
made their advance.
The fight went on thus for several days
the enemy bringing more Of their alti
lcry into action. Following the skirmisl
of Thursday, Mulligan ordered portion
of the old town on the east to be burned
to prevent the rebels from gaining there
from the advantage of shelter. Mean
while the little garrison, already worr
by labor on the entertainments, began tC
look eagerly for the coming reinforce
memts.
On the 10th, Col, Mulligan had sen
Lieut.. Rains of company X of the Brig
ade, with a squad of twelve men, on the
steamer Sunshine, to Jefferson City, ice
miles distant, pressing the necessity foI
reinforcements. Forty miles below, the
Sunshine was captured, and Rains and
his men brought back to New Lexington
and lodged as prisoners in the old Fair
Ground. Other messengers were sent
off to guard against the failure of any
one
The enemy were in sufficient force to
throw out parties to intercept the federal
troops en- route for the relief of Colonel
Mulligan. Thus, detachment of 5000
strong met and turned back 1900 Iowa
troops from Richmond, sixteen miles from
the river, they retreating, it is reported,
to St. Joseph. Our informant says heavy
cannonading was heard at distance,
several times by them in various direc-
tions from Lexington, which they under
stood to be encounters between the enc
my and these relief parties.
The situation of the federal troops grew
more desperate as day after day passed.
Within their lines were picketed about
the wagons and trains, large number Of
horses and mules, nearly 5000 in all,
now a serious cause Of care and anxiety,
for as shot and she'll plunged amongst
them many Of the animals were killed
and wounded, and from the struggles of
these latter the danger Of a general SIAM
pede was imminent. The havoc in the
center of the entertainment was immense.
Wagons were knocked to pieces, stores
scattered and destroyed, and the ground
strewed with dead horses and mules.
On Wednesday, the 18th, an evil, from
the first apprehended, fell upon Colonel
MulIigan's command. They we're cut off.
from the river, and their water gave out,
Fortunately, heavy rain came at inter
walls, greatly to their relief. But to show
how severe were the straits OF the men,
the fact may be stated Of instances oc-
curing where the men held their blan-
kets spread ont until thoroughly wet, and
then wrung them into camp dishes, care
fully saving the priceless fluid thus OBJ
tanned. Rations also began to grow short.
The fighting at this time, from the 10th
to the 2lst, knew little cessation. The
nights were brilliant moonlight, and all
night long the roar Of the guns continued
with an occasional sharp sortie or Skin
msh without the works.
From the first but one spirit pervaded
our troops, and that was no thought or
word Of surrender, except among some
of the Home Guards who had done the
least share of the work and the fighting.
The cavalry behaved noJIy and could
the full details be written Up, some of
their sharp, brave charges on the enemy's
guns would shine with any battle ex-
PLOTS on record.
Gen. Price sent Col. Mulligan a sum
mons to surrender, to which the gallant
sent refusal, saying, II.
you want US, you must take US. But
the detection and disbursement of the
Home Guards intensified daily, and on
Friday, the 2lst, while Col. Mulligan
was giving bis attention to some matters
in another portion of the camp, the white
flag was raised at his own instance by
AIai- Recknr. of The unmn Gnarls from,