The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-10-09
THE CAPTURE OF LEXING-
.-, TON, -
BY ONE WHO WAS THERE.

We were yesterday favored with visi
by one of the gallant defenders of th'
city of Lexington, who had arrived from
the scene of conflict, from whom we CLEAN
ed further particulars connected with tina
memorable event, which we place befor,
our readers in almost the vsrbotim Ian
guage of our informant:
The town of Lexington is situated OF
the southern side of the Missouri River
and is located on the SUBMITS of two hills
about one mile apart. The intervening
space being occupied by houses at con-
siderable distance apart. The place be.
ing known on the eastern hill as New
Town and the western hill as Old Town.
The Federal forces were .intrenched im-
mediately between the towns in q line of
forti6cations inclosing about 40 acres with
large brick college in the center, which
was used as a fort Colonel Mulligan
arrived here on the 7th, and by virtue Of
being the senior officer, took command.
He found his force consisted of the Chi.
cago Irish Brigade. Colonel Marshall's s
Illinois Cavalry Regiment, of 600, Col.
Whites Eighth Missouri Regiment In.
fantry, and $50 Home Guards under Col.
Peabody, The Confederate force at the
time they made the first attack numbered
about 10000, but it received reinforce
ments constantly from the country, in all
direction, until the, surrender on the goth,
80 that when hostilities were suspended
there were at and around Lexington no
less than 5000.
On Thursday, the afternoon Of the 9th
the advanced scouts and pickets coming
in, announced the proximity of the rebels,
and, Colonel MulligaD proceeded imme-
diately TO distribute his force TO receive
them. The first attack was commanded
by Generals Price aud Raines, and was
directed against the most exposed and
least defended angle of the whole line Of
breastworks. But the unerring fire from
. portion f;the Chicago Brigade was
opened upon them, aud the first volley
occasioned the widest confusion and dis
may, and scattered them in all directions.
Raines, when he saw his column repulsed.
made an Intellectual attempt to rally it for
second charge, but his soldiers mani
tested no disposition to return TO the
slaughter, Of. revenge the unceremonious
! reception, and uncourteous salute from
that portion of the Chicago Brigade,
The Illinois Cavalry Regimen: being
without carbines or muskets, could be of
use only at very short range, having but
pistols and side arms; and, indeed, they
were capable Of rendering but very little
service: The rebels entered our hospital,
4 which was outside Of the line of our for.
tiications, and commenced firing from
the windows of this building. thus get.
ting behind our sick and disabled, and
taking the mean advantage of placing
themselves in position on which we
could not return the FIRE without killing
our own men. From this quarter the at
tack was very fierce and bloody, but they
were compelled to withdraw at length
with heavy loss. The Federals had
been getting water from the river until
the morning of the 17th, when they found
that the last avenue which led to it was
cut of, and they were completely sur
rounded; and all they could procure from
that time until the surrender. was about
twelve barrels obtained from the cisterns
around the college. tsa h7a S. a
The firing from the Confederates ceased
twice during the time from the commence
ment, on the 18th. to the close. on the
2oth,S bury their dead, and Twas after
ward Informed by the only officer thas es.
= caped, thatsh heard the C Confederate sol
4 diers say that here were His Of theil
soldiers killed. .sd From othe lfth to th,
; goth the Eight continued uninterrupted
|, night and day. The Home Guards, un
der Colonel Peabody, were not. t..well dis
ciplined, and allowed the rebels to sur
mount the ramparts and plant their aag
!, lover the intrebchments; but the Irisl
!, Brigade left their former position ant
: made charge at doub'e quick. The,
lost about 500 men in that single charge
= while our loss was not over 80 killed l
: was the most terri lie and bloody on
slaught during the whole siege. On tn
" 20th the repcrt of the cannon from Prico'
: head quarters proclaimed the re. com
{ m. ncement of hostiIit es. The cayalr
company and the Brigade left tie in
trebchments to make a charge upon
. strong force that were behind a>line G
hemp bales, wAch.,hey were moving for
;. ward, when the enemy opened their Who'll
: battery of artillery upon the cavalry
J. sweeping and completely annihilafing ev
cry horse and rider; but the enemy wa
- compelledtooeave bis guns. which Colo
i, mel Muiligan- immediately spiked, bein
!. incapable OF taking them feom the EelG
The Msjur of the Home Guards hois
a ed q flag of truce. at about four o'cloc
; in the afternoon of the 20ths which Go
Muihgan ordered Immediately to be take
down, for our commander said he nevs
10 would surrender; he would fight till eve,
D. one of his men dIed before he would hoi
- tho Aao of truce His ronduct m n