The weekly sun. (New York [N.Y.]) 1851-1869, 1861-10-05
TIE SIEGE OF LEXINGTON.
The Surrender Of Col. Mulligan -Partic
ulnrs OF the Fight.

On Sunday, Sept. 1st, the Irish brigale, COL
onel James A. Mullgan who were then in
partially entrenched camp at Jefferson City,
were ordered to proceed to Lexington, Laiay-
ette county one hundred and sixty miles up the
river, to reinlOroe the troops at that place, un-
der Col. Peabody, consisting Of several hun
dred Home Guards, few Kansas troops, and
portion Of the Missouri Sth regimint, Col
White, with 200 Of the lst regiment IllinOia
cavalry, Col. T. NJ Marshall. 1lese latter had
preceded Col. Mulligans force Cne week in
their advance from jefferson City.
Colonel Mulliean's arrival with The Irish br-
gade swclled the force at Lexington to about
800 men. Colonel VI MIllgan taking the com
mand as senior officer. The brigade reached
Lexington on Monday, September 9th, and
found the attack by the enemy, under General
Irlcc imminently threatening. No timaAwas
lest in the work ef intrenching their pC.Sion,
chosen about midway between the old and new
towns Uf Lexington. which are about a mile
arart, com ectcd by scattering settlement
Midway stands -ol.d hrirk cdice built for a
college and about this small breastwOrk had
already been begun.
By Co. Mullgdns orders this was extended
and the troops set about the construction of AN
earthwork ten feet in height, with a ditch eight
feet in width, enclosing "A large area capable Of
containing a force ,f 10000 men. Lexington
has been cor sidered most important point by
the Confederate forces. Clabe Jack son and his
legislature had been in session there only the
week previous. When this worthy body pru-
donilv retired before the Union troops, they did
:, in such haste that eight hundred thou,and
dollar, in gold coin. and the state seals left in
the vault oftho Bank, fell into the hands Of Col.
Peabody.
Thurfdav, the 18th inst scouts and advanced
pickets driven r reported the near approach Of
The rebels Al th. time Col. Mulligan had
\ rtion Of hi- small artillery in readiness. We
yiid only six brass pieces and two howitzers,
hut having no shell, the latter were useless
Two pieces belonged to the Kansas City compl-
ny, and were worked by them spendidly. The
cavalry company had only their side arms and
pistols, and having no Carbnes or rifles, could
do nothing AZ long range.
Several mines were laid in front of our en-.
trenchmonts by our men.
The attack on Thursday, the 18th, was led by
Gen Rains in person, with a battery of nine
pieces of artillery the angle least prepared to
resist assault. The enemy were repulsed with
heavy loss.
The hospital had been located on the bank
below the now town, and contained about
twonty-four patients. The attacking party did
not spare or respect this building. They were
met by the Montgomery Guards, Capt. Gleason,
who made brave resistance, but were drive n
back, with the loss Of %. The fight was very
fierce. Some Of the sick were actually bayonet-
ed or sabred in their cots. Rev. Father Butler.
an esteemed Catholic clergyman of this citv
and the chaplain of the Irish brigade. was
wounded in the forehead by ball which passed
scrOSs it. laying open the skin. He was taken