Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-10-04
col. JAMES A. MULLIGAN.


The following sketch Of Col. James A. bIul-
ligau, the brave defender of Lexington, No.,
has been furnished to the Detroit .7drerfiser,
from gentleman who has been intimately ae-
quauted with him for the pact FIVE or six years:
Gel. James A. Mulligsn was born in the city
Of Utica, New York, in the year 1929, and
Is consequently 10 bis thirty second year.
His parents were natives of ireland. His
mother, after the death of bis father, which
took place when he was child, removed to
Chicago, where she has resided with her sor
for the past twenty-three years. She married
a respectable Irish>AmeTican 10 Chicago, nam
ed Michael Lsnfry, who has steadily watched
with fsther's soiictude the expanding mind
of the brave young soldier. He was educated
at The Catholic College of North Chicago, un.
Ger the superintendent of the Rev. Mr. Kn-
sler, now of New York city. lie is strict
member Of the Catholic Church. In 1852,
1858, and 1854, be read law 10 the office Of
Hon. Isaac N. Aruold, Congressman from the
Chicago district. For short time he edited
the Western Tablet, semi-religious newspa-
per, iu Chicago. In 1856 he was admitted an
attorney at law in Chicago. At this time be
hCtu tue pOSltlOB OF 6ScODu He0teuADb IN the
Chicago Shield Guards, one of the companies
attached to the Irish brigade, now in Nssou-
ri, and which has done so we'll at Lexington.
In the winter of 1857 Senator Fitch, of lns
diana, rendered him elerkshp in the Depart
ment Of the Interior. He accepted the posi-
ton, and spent the Ei0ter at Washing ton.-
During his residence in Washing ton, he cora
responded with the Utica Telegraph, over tbs
nom de plume Of s'Satan." After his return
from Washington be was elected Captain of the
Shields Guards. On the news arriving of the
bombardment of Fort Sumter, be threw bis
soul into the national cause. The Irish Amer
lean companies held meeting, of whom be
was chairman. Shortly afterwards he went to
Washington with letter, written by the late
Senator Douglas on bis death bed, to the Pres
ideut, rendering a regiment TO be called the
"lrish Brigade" He was elected Colouei, and
Immediately went to work with will. The
course Of the "Brigade," Up to the battle of
Lexington, is we'll known; il has nobIy, brave
iy, ana honorably done It's duty.
Col. Mulligan is worthy Of all praise. A
purer, better man, does not live in the State
of Illinois. Since he was able to tell the diff
ference between ale and water, glass of spir-
ituous or malt liquor has NOT passed his lips
He is rigid temperance man, although he is
jocund and wdole-souled to fault. He is
six feet three inches in height witha wiry,
elastic frame,-a large, lustrous, hazel eye
an open, frank Celtic face, stamped with cour>
age, pluck, and independence, snrmounted with
bushy profusion of has, tinctured with gray,
Honor able in all relations-respected by ALL
be has won his way by urtiring industry and
unquestionable courage. On the 26th day of
October, 1859, be was mafxied to Mss Marian
Nugent, by the Roman Catholic Bishop of
Chicago.
A fue scholar, a good speaker, brilliant
writer's, promising lawyer, was he when the
banner of the Union was lnsulted. Now be
is--loBg may he continue so--one OF the brave
defenders of the Unicn. In one of bis last
letters received by the gentleman above alln-
ded TO, he says: eff die, If fell in defence
Of our laws and Constitution, let my examps
be followed by all-by every man who loves
the fame and renown of the fathers who made
as great aud honcred people,"