The Nevada Democrat., 1861-10-17
The Surrender ef Lexington.


The Surrender ef Lexington.
We have full particulars, by late Pony,
of the lighting at Lexington, Mo-, and the
surrender Of Col. Mulilgan and his com
mand. The Federal troops occupied po-
sition between what are known as the old
town and new town, and were protested by
hastily erected entertainments. The rebels
attacked the place on the 18th OfSeptember,
and succeeded in placing their flag upon the
entreuchments; but The Federals charged
upon them, drove them back with heavy
lose, and took their flag. The enemy still
lowered around the place, being 10 constant
receipt of reinforcements, and the Federals
improved every opportunity to strengthen
their position. The rebels must have bad
possession OF portion Of the town from the
beginning of the engagement, aud on the
night Of the 10th they succeeded In getting
between the Federal entrenehments and the
river, cutting off their supply OF water. by
this time the rebel force had increased to
over 10000 men, and the fight ragged with
out lntermission. On one side of the en-
trencbments extensive mines had been con-
structed, connecting with the inside, and on
six different times during the seige, when
the rebels got sufficiently near, mines were
exploded, hurling them promlscuously in
every direction aud slaughtering them by
hundreds.
For three days and nights, the enemy, by
their great numbers, we're enabled to keep
up continual fire of muskelry and artillery
aud the Federals were kept constantly on
the alert, having no time to eat or sleep.
They we're also suffering for want of water,
having but small supply at the time the
rebels got between them aud the river. On
the 2Oth, the day of the surrender, the fight
ing was severe. The enemy collected all
the hemp bales from the various places 10
the neighborhoOd, formed them into breast
works, under cover of which they steadily
approached the Federal entrenchments. The
Federals being without water. and finding
themselves short of ammunition, and know
ing that renforeements we're cut off by The
seizure Of the ferry. boats, concluded to sur.
render. This was done against the protest
Of Col. Mulligan, who proposed to attack
the enemy with the bayonet, and cut their
way through, or die with their arms in
their hands. The men were willing to fol
low him, but were so exhausted that they
could have made but an indifferent fight
After consultation, it was finally agreed
to hoist the white flag, which was done by
Major Barker. The enemy then entered the
entertainments, hauled down the American
flag, tore in pieces and burned it.
The whole number of Federal troops un-
der the command of Mulligan was 2,7OO;
but Only 1900 were engaged, the balance
being absent or sick. According TO their
own report, the enemy numbered 1000
Lieut.. Harris, who was taken prisoner but
afterwards escaped. gives the loss of the
rebels at about l,lOO killed, and l,4OO
wounded. The loss Of the Federals Is put
down at 40 killed and lS0 wounded. COL
White, of the Missouri 9Th regiment, was
wounded, and died after the surrender. COL
Aulligan was wounded In the leg, but not
seriously, and Col. Marshal, OF the Illinois
cavalry regiment, Was wounded in the
arm.
BY the capture of Lexington the enemy
obtained 4,3OO muskets and rides, seven
cannons, the equipments aud arms OF Col.
MarshaPs cavalry regiment, and consld-
erable ouantitv of nrovision.