, 1862-01-23
TEE SIEGE OFT LEXINGTON.


Soon after the surrender Of Lexington, Col.
Peabody, Of one Of the Missouri regiments
cpgoged in the defense Of the place, published
an elaborate statement over Lis own signa-
lure, which was SO at VARIANCE with the then
popular idea that the Irish Brigade had done
all the fighting, that it gained no circulation
beyond tie ST. Louis papers Of the day. It
should be stated, however, to the lasting hon-
OF Of Cot. Peabody, that although all invalid,
III quietly devoted himself to the organization
Of his regiment; and that his command is now
ready, awaiting orders to take the field. AND
tber statement Of the circumstances Of that
siege has now been made over the responsible
signature Of Henry Parker, II. D., surgeon Of
the 1st Illinois (barshalrs) cavalry, and as
measure Of justice TO two thousand troops
Who have been ignored VIC are requested to
print it, and do SO with the assurance that it
will bc read with interest. The letter is ad-
dressed to Hon. Isaac n Arnold, M. c., and Is
as follows:
S1H:-In the House proceedings Of ye5ter-
day, mention is made Of resolution intro
dured By yourself, and which was adopted
thanking Col. Mulligan and his command
for their heroic defence Of Lexington, and
L41A4 luC / -@u4u 4l41l0l5 IEtI1utEDt DC
permitted to bear upon their colors the word
LEXINGTON
In reading Oyer the above resolution, as re-
ported by telegraph, my attention was partic-
ulasly arrested by the marked omission of the
word command" and the substitute in its
stead Of tho ssTWenty-third Illinois regiment"
thus limiting, By the language Of the resolu-
| ton, the special privilege Of =" bearing upon
| their co1ors the word Lexington to that
| regiment alone.
It is to this omission or substitution, which
ever you may please TO regard it, that your
accredited Representative in Congress from
Illinois, and your official acts are supposed to
be, OF at least ought to be, free from any taint
or suspicion Of favoritisnl, and especially SO
when others are known to be equally entitled
to like consideration. If such was not your
intention then the language Of the resolution
| most effectively accunpllslcs your purpose,
| adding insult to 4 wrong which silence had
| suffered to exist until Of itself it had become
I sufficiently burdensume.
may hare to say concerning this public insult
| tfor so it is regarded to worthy and brave
! men, who fought and suffered in their coun-
try's cause, viii preface it by the statement,
frankly and truthfully made, that us IN indi-
| yidual, hare no personal interest in the mat
| ter, nothing to gain and nothing to lose. But
having been present at that engagement and
| knowinEss the truth whereof I write, anl ur-
willing That q wrong, originating in the self
glorifcation Of priyate Individuals, and pub
lic1ys approved and indorsel by resolution in
Congrtss, should pass unnotfccd. ANOTHER
incentive to this is found in tic fact that those
| who hare 4 personal interest in the matter
have "lEo i eommcndable feeling Of delicacs
| in correcting a wrong, or undertaking dc
| fence, when they would subject themselves to
the Charge Of stltintercst, aud so lose the in
flucnec thty would otherwise exert if it did
not lessen public credihility in their state.
| 1ntnts. As I AM not open to that charge, ]
am in this particular, exempt from the danger
Incurred.
Now, sir what arc some Of the facts touch
ing tho *+dcfenee Of Lc2ingtou:'' Briefly
| these:
Col AIulIigan, n good and brave officer, was