Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1861-10-10
THE sEIGE OF LEXINGTON
A FULL AND CIRCUMsTANTIAb &C
COUNT OF THE AFFAIR.
Graphic Description of the Fearful
Charge of the Bcscigcd
Interesting stratcgicaI Details.

Interesting StratCgical Details.
The general features Of the siege and
ofLexington have already been
The accounts, however, are
II some respect incorrect, and dealing ON
y with general tiles, fail in some respects
o do Justice to Col. Mulligan and his as
ociatcs. None of our readers will there
ore complain Of the length Of the follow
ng description Of thecycnts OF the deolo-
rate contest which we copy from the cor.
rc,pondencc of the Chicago Times;
TIE sEIGE COMMENCES.
On the morning of the 18th the men
stood to arms under the call Tor immedi-
ate action. The enemy appeared in full
force in every direction around the in
trcnchmcnts, and opened fire with thir-
teen pieces eff artillery, including four ri
fed cannon. Two Of these pieces were
planted to cut the garrison off from the
river, destroying all chances of obtaining
water in that direction. Two more ~ ere
so placed as to command the springs out
! side Of the intrcnchments, and, as there
were no we'll inside the water was en- tirely
cnt off froln that time. a large quantity
of hemp had been brought over the riv-
cr on ralts during the previous night, and
their arrangements for constructing
breast works were distinctly visible
There were numbers of houses within
fifty or hundred rods, all ofwhch were
filled with sharp sho ters, wh8 kept NJ
n continual fire on the intrenchments,
picking offevery man who showed him.
self. All who vcntured ont for water
were ms antly killed, Col. Mulligan re-
served his fire, except at intervals, and no
ammunition was wasted, but the moment
rebel showed his head he was picked of
by our sharp-shooters. This warfare
continued during the forenoon. "A about
| , o'clock body of several thouaond men
advanced with artillery and fred grape
shot into tho hospital, which stood out.
side of the intrenchmcnts on an emincncC
with q narrow ravine running between -
They followed up this attack by a charg
which took the building. There were {
time, who were in charge OF th
Rev. Father Butler aud Dir Winner, Sur
gcon Of the Brigade, both Of whom wer
taken prisoners.
CHARGE or THE MONTGOMERY GUARD
= Col. Mulligan Immediately brought hi
= guns to bear on the building, and order
e ed charge to- capture the prisoners an
- and remove the wounded. He called o
y u company OF the Thirteenth Missou
- Regiment to follow him, but they declir
t ed. He then sprnng upon the outwolk
y sword in hand, and called to the Mont
, gomory Guards. They swarmcd over ih
@ cmbankmont at the first word Of comman
and with terrific shouts, dashed after thei
young commander. With n rush lili
f the whirlwind they stormed to the ascen
which led to the hospital building, an
hurled their whole force against its doors
These Slight barriers gave way, and wit
G resstloss fury the heroic band thre,
} themselves upon the enemy, driving thcr
= before the bayonct like ch0tf on the AL
G tumn wind. Onward they went unit
/. the building was cleared, and the cucm
Il were driven far down the descent on tn
l. oth,rEido, in dire confusion at the Rcrt
II charge of the Montgomeries With vii
shouts of Il tliumph the brave band answc
= cd the cheers OF their com rades with
the the intrcnchmcnts, and then hasti
S prepared to remove the sick and woundc
N The enemy rallied by the time they we
$ nearly ready to move, and charged up {
h hill by thousands a fierce vollcy eau
(, ed them to rccoil for moment, but t
1T masses behind pushed the leaders up t
or slope, and then poured through the doc
ld from which they had so recently be-
k elected in numbers so great as to fair
C. ovcrwhclm tho heroic defenders. Il
re Guards retired before them, and bro
he Cor the intrcnchmcnts. a murdero
e. volIcy was poured in upon them duriI
IF the retreat, which killed n number, N
S inflicted the greatest loss that was sustai
l. ed during the charge. The wounded +
l. maincd in the hands of the enemy, as We
is as the Surgeon and Priest.
COT, MuLLIGAN's SECOND CHARGE.
m Tho Home Guards occupied trcn
m several rods in advance Of the other fc
Of tilcatons. They did some execution h
Ut wore not particularly efficient, Their ii
it however, attracted the attention Of t
r. enemy. and large body ofmen wore d
la tachcd to take the position, They cha
:: ged mp the hill in good style, and sccr
. cd full of cagcrncss ana determination.
o The Home Guards, in dismay at the
/: prospects, delivered weak vollcy, al
broke for the main intrcnchmcnts on
o full run. The enemy took full posscssi'
/. and planted Secession flag, and th
e brought mp two cannon, which th
i brought into line to fire on tho inlrcnc
v ments. Col, Mnlligan again called o
l. his meu for charge, About two hu
dred rallied Mt his cry, and dashed ov
lc the cmhankmcnt, Me led with shor
= h is sword waving high in tile air, and i
|, tlIl form SprinGing over the ground Ii
h an antelope. The men pressed on wi
Il mad shouts and fairly prccipitotcd thcr
Il selves hcallong into the trench. Eallil
It upon the enemy with force which pr,
- trutrd them to the earth, they hurled the
Il over the cmhankmcnt, and fairly clcG
N cd the ditch, as well rs the outside Slo
re- for n long way downward The tv
9, guns were captured, and the colors fell
cr prey to the victorious lrishmcn. The @
rc cmy, seeing the danger of looSing tn,
re artillery, rallied, and charged mp to /