Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1861-10-03
Ole Mar.
THE SIEGE OF LEXINGTON, MO.
Gallant Defence Of Col. Mulligan
AND HIS CHICAGO IRISH BRIGADE
THEIR FINAL SURRENDER.

VII 'oHnuay, Dcpt. ISL, INC tTISH DFl-
gadc, Col James A. Mulligan, who
were then in partially cntrcnchcd
camp at Jefferson City, were ordered
to proceed to Lexington, Lafayette
County, 160 miles up the river, to re-
inforcc the troops already at that
place, under Col. Peabody, consisting
of several hundred Home Guards, a
few Kansas troops and q portion of
the Missouri Sth Regiment, COL White,
with 700 of the First Regiment llli-
nois Cavalry, Colonel L. NJ. Marshall.
These latter had preceded Col. Multi
gan's force, one week in their advance
from Jefferson City.
Col. Mulligan's arrival with the Irish
Brigade swcllcd the force at Lexing-
ton to about $500 men, Col. Mulligan
taking command as senior officer. The
Brigade reached Lexington on Mon
day, Sept. 9th, and found the attack
by the enemy, under Gen. Price, immi-
ncntly threatening. No time was lost
in the work of entrcnching their posi-
ton, chosen about midway between
the new and old towns of Lexington,
which arc about a mile apart, connec-
ted by scattering settlement. Mid
way stands solid brick cdificc, built
| for college, and about this small
brcastwork had been already begun.
BY Col. Mulligan's orders this was
extended, and the troops set about the
construction of an earthwork, ten
feet in hight, with ditch eight feet
ing width, enclosing large area ca
pablo of containing force of 10000
men. The army train, consisting OF
numerous mule teams, six mules to q
team, was brought within this. The
supply of cntrcnching tools being in
adequate, thorough search was
made through both towns, and every
description Of suitable or available
implements appropriated. The work
was pushed with great vigor, the hea-
Wy muscle of the brigade telling well
as the brave fellows toiled in the
trenches. This went On for three
days, until Thursday. Sept. 18th, at
which time the portion of the works
assigned to the Irish Brigade was
we'll advanced, that of the Home
Guard, being still weak on tho west,
or New Lexington side.
OF Lexington, it should be said in
advance that it has been considered a
most important point by the Confcde-
rate forces, and their preparations for
its capture and occupancy abundant
ly declare this. Among other proofs
that it was a coveted prize was the
fact that Claib. jackson and his Lcgis-
laturc had been in session there as
late as the week previous to the arrival
of Col. Mulligan, holding their session
in the Court House, whence Claib
Illuminated proclamation counter to
that of Gen. Fremont. When this
worthy body prudcntly retired before
the Federal troops they did SO in such
haste that eight hundred thousand
dollars in gold coin, and the State
Seals left in the vault Of the bank, fell
into the hands of Col Peabody.
The College building. within the
| fortiication, became Col. Mulligan's
headquarters. The magazine and
treasure were stored in the cellar and
suitably protected. The hospital of
our troops was located just outside
the entrcnchments, in northwcstcrly
direction. The river ut that point is
about half q mile wide, and about hall
a mile distant from the Notifications.
The bluff there is high and abrupt, the
steamboat landing being at New Lex
ington.
After these several days Of anxious
watching and unrcmitting toll, by the
little force, on the afternoon of Thurs
| day the 10Th inst, scouts and advance
| pickets driven in, reported the near
approach Of the rebels. At this time
Col. Mulligan had a portion of his
small artillery in readiness. We had
only six brass pieces, and two howitz.
ers, but having no shell tho latter
were useless. Two pieces belonged
to the Kansas City Company, and
were worked by them splendidly. The
Cavalry Company had only their side
arms and pistols, aud having no car
bincs or rifles could do nothing at
long range.
Several mines were laid in front of
the entertainments by our men.
The attack on Thursday the 18th
was led by Gen. Rains in person, with
a battery of nine pieces of artillery on
the angle least prepared to resist
assault. The enemy were repulsed
with heavy loss. In the fight Com
panics /, Capt. Fitzgerald, X, Capt.
John Quirk' and G, Capt. Phillips, did
gallant service.
AS stated, the hospital had been
located on the bank below the new
town, and contained about twenty
four patients. The attacking party
did not spare or respect this building
They were met by the Montgomery
Guards, Capt. Glecson, who made q
brave resistance, but were driven back
with the loss of 20 of their men killed
and wounded. Capt. Gleeson was
shot through the jaw and badly wound
ed. The gallant Montgomery made
many of the Texans bite the dust
This fight was very fierce. Some oI
the sick were actually bayoneted oi
sabred in their cots. Rev. Father
Butler, an esteemed Catholic clergy
man of Chicago and the chaplain OF
the Irish Brigade, was wounded in
tho forehead by ball which passed
across it, laying open the skin. He
was taken prisoner, as also was DIR,
Winer, Surgeon of the Brigade, thus
dcpriving the regiment of tho valuable
services Of both, during the dark and
trying days that followed, preceding
the surrender.
| The issue of the 18th, warned the
enemy that they had task before