Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1886-09-18

enemy's works was the mansion OF MIR.
Oliver Anderson, which was accessible
to the enemy, and occupied by the fed
eral troops. The Anderson house was
surprised and taken by storm, but on
the same day it was retaken by sally
ing party of Mulligan's men, after
desperate fight, on which occasion
three soldiers were killed after they
had laid down their arms. The enemy
did not destroy it, expecting to hold it,
and on the following morning Harris
recaptured it after a severe conflict, in
which the bayOnet was freely used.
This was rendered more practicable be-
cause Harris had gotten, almost with
out loss or accident, his hemp field
works in position to do duty as rifle
pits, and prevented reintorcements
from the garrison within the intrench-
ments.
When General Harris took possession
of the landing he seized such river
as the federals had left
there, among them Hinkle's ferry-bOat.
Price learned that Gen. Sturges had
been ordered to move OH the north side
of the river from Fort Leavenworth
with all his available force to reinforce
Colonel Mulligan, and availed himself
of this transportation to throw across to
the north side of the river about twelve
hundred cavalry, with orders to watch
for Gen. Sturges and keep lookout for
the enemy's possible appearance from
the Hannibal Il st. Joseph railroad,
then the only completed railway in the
state. This body OF cavalry was,
think, commanded by Gen. Slack.
Sturges had moved across the counties
of Platte and Clay, and was about en-
tering Ray county, north OF Lexington,
when Slack came up with him, ,compell-
ing him to make precipitate retreat,
leaving behind him his tents and con-
siderable baggage. While Sturges was
on this expedition, body Of recruits,
about one thousand, from the north
western part of the state and in the
near vicinity of Fort Leavenworth,
rendezvoused in Clay county land under
command of Coils. ROut and Winston,
after sharp skirmish with detach-
ment of the enemy, crossed the Mis-
souri, river at the Blue Mills, about six
miles below Liberty Landing. They
marched across Jackson county to
Lexington and reported to Gen. Price.
| ought to have stated that, upon
retiring into his works, being unwill-
ing to resort to the dastardly expedi-
ent of making breast-work Of the
bodies of innocent non -combatants and
civilians, or to expose them to unneces-
sary and undeserving danger, Mulligan
had released from confinement Colonel
D0bbyns and the other hostages seized
by the home guards and held by his
hoI RI
Gen Price at an early day during the
siege.
On the goth day of September, in the
afternoon, the stubborn garrison invest
ed Oh all sides, and enduring an almost
incessant cannonade from our artillery,
their earth works exposed to our sharp
shooters, without water, and suffering
from the stencil of dead horses, with
two hundred and more sick and
wounded in hospital, the only point in
their inclOsure respected by our shot,
had held out with heroism worthy a
better fate. So closely invested theycOuld
makenO effective sally and knowing that
reinforcements could not reach and re-
lieve them, they at last gave signs of
weakening. Price had made his dis
positions for a final effort to carry their
works by assault. Every thing was
prepared and everybody in position.
The hemp bales were pushed up almost
to their parapets, the artillery in posi-
ton, and all arranged for final strug-
gle, when Col. Mulligan hung out the
white flag and our firing ceased. His
forces stacked arms and were marched
out to the number of near three thOus-
and five hundred men. The "green
field and sunburst" of Ireland was at
the head of his column, and it with the
stars and stripes was furled in defer
ence to our victory.
General Price paroled the soldiers
and officers, although he knew their
government would not allow them to
observe it-all except Col. Mulligan,
who was unwilling to give his word,
for the reason he knew the United
States authorities would not recognize
it as binding. He became, with his ex-
cellent wife, the guest of Gen. Price,
and remained with him till after the re-
treat to Neosho, where he was exchang-
ed. The wounded and sick were
moved into Lexington and comfortably
quartered in hospitals till they were
sent to the federal lines, paroled like
the other prisoners. Mulligan's gov
ernment recognized his regard for his
personal honor in refusing his parole
by not promoting him as he deserved
for his gallant defense till after his
death few months subsequent.
Among the captured was Father
Butler, a Catholic priest, who was
a chaplain to the Irish regiment. He
became the guest of Col. Joseph Kelly,
and celebrated mass at Kelly's tent the
following. He did more he
gathered together the Catholics of our
army, heard their confessions, enjoined
penances, and gave them holy commu-
Mon. His holy calling was exercised
among friends and foes alike, and he |
visited the sick, wounded, and dying |
Of his faith with like Catholic impair
tiality.
From Gen. Prices report of the bat
tie to Gov. Jackson, quoted from "War |
Of the Rebellion: Original Record of
Union and Confederate Armies Series |
|, vol. iii, pages 1S4, 1s5. published by
he United States authorities:
"Atter , O'Clock on the afternoon of |
he Goth, and after fitty-two hours con-
lnuous firing, white flag was dis
played by the enemy on the
point nearest Col. Green's position, and |
shortly afterward another was display
,d opposite to Col. Rives'. | immedi-
itely ordered a cessation of all firing
,n our part, and sent forward one of
ny staff officers to ascertain the object |
'f the flag, and to open negotiations
With the enemy, if such should be their
iesire. 1t was finally, after some
ielay, agreed by Colonel Marshall and
he officers associated with him by Col
Nulligan, that the United States forces
should lay down their arms aud surren-
Ter themselves as prisoners of war.
The terms, having been made known,
were ratified by me and Immediately
carried into effect"
The entire loss in this series of engage
nents was tweaty- five killed anG seven
.y-two wounded. The enemy's loss
was much greater.
"The visible fruits of this almost
Dloodless victory are very great: about
800 prisoners, among whom are Cols
Mulligan, Marshall, Peabody, White,
md Grover, Major VaniIorn, and lis
'ther commissioned officers, five pieces
't artillery, and two mortars, over
5000 stands OF armS,a large number of
.abprS abOut 7JD horses MANY sats Of |