The Irish standard., 1898-09-17
AT BATTLE OF LEXINGTON, mo.
One of the Most Glorious FeatS of
the Civil War.
BRILLIANT AND DARING DEED.
Surrendered to the Overwhelming
Forces of the Enemy.

The brave defense of Lexington, Mo-,
by Col. James Mulligan and the Irish
Brigade of Illinois on sept. ~, 1861. is
one Of the most glorious performances
of the whole civil war. The best ac-
count of this deed was in Il speech de-
livcrcd by Col. Mulligan at Il public re-
ccption given to the brave lrisl-Ameri-
can general by the citizens of Detroit.
Mich, Nov. %, 1861, Il short time after
his release from Il Southern prison.
Let me briefly relate, said the brave
general, the circumstances of Il little af-
fair that happened to us in Missouri.
Just outside tho limits OF jefferson City,
overlooking the broad Missouri, were en-
campcd two regiments, over which
tloated the twin banmers-thc stars Of
America and the harp of Ireland. Under
these twin banners lay as happy Il reg
imcnt as was ever collected together. 1t
was the Irish Brigade, of Chicago At
the hour of midnight it received an Or
der to march to the relief of Col. Mar
shull's cavalry, then threatened by the
enemy, and with them to cut their way
through to Lexington and hold it at all
hazards. The next morning saw the
Irish brigade with it's face set toward
Lexington. We started with forty
rounds of ammunition and three days
rations, md advanced for nine days.
Thus we went Oh until at length We
arrived within two miles of Lexington.
The brigade pitched It's camp and prep
arations were made for advancing in
to the city. We went in, with our soli-
tury slX-pounder. The men had travel
cd nine days by forced marches, yet
they never looked better. On arriving
at Lexington we found Col. Marshall's
cavalry and Il few home guards.
On Sept. 10. a letter arrived from Col.
Peabody, saying that he was rctreating
from Wnrrcnsburg twenty-five miles
distant, and that he was being pursued
with 10000 men. A few hours after
ward Col. Peabody, with the 18th Mis-
souri,, entered Lexington. We then had
2,7SO men in garrison and forty rounds
commenced throwing up our first in
trcnchmcnts. In six hours aftcrwnrd
the enemy opened their fire. Col. Pea
body was ordered our to meet them.
Two six-poundcrs were planted to op-
pose the enemy, and placed in charge
of Capt. Daniel Qnir,. who remained ut
his post till dHybr1ak. II was a night
Of fearful anxiety. None knew mt what
moment the enemy would be upon the
little band. and the hour, passed in 81
lcncc and anxious waiting.
So it continued until morning. when
the chaplain rushed into hcadquarters,
saying that the cncmy were pushing
forward. They vera met by Co. H. Of
the Irish brigade under Capt Qnirk,
who held them In check until Capt. Dil-
Ions company. of the 18th fissorrl,
drove them back and burned tho
bridge. That closed our work before
breakfast. Immediately after six COM
panics of the 18th Missouri and two
companies of Illinois cavalry were dis
patched in search of the retreating
enemy.
They engaged them in cornfield,
fought with them gallantly and harassed
them to such an extent as to delay their
progress, in order to give time for con-
strncting intrcnclmcnts around the
camp in College Hill. This had the de-
sired effect, and we succeeded in throw
ing up earthworks three or four feet in
height. This consumed the night, and
was continued during the next day, the
outposts still opposing the enemy and
keeping them back as far as possible
At 3 o'clock in the afternoon Of the 18th
the engagement opened with artillery.
The guns within the intrenchments i'm
mediatcly replied with vigor.
Within an hour (; shot from one of
our guns di.mountel their largest
piece, a twelvc-pounder, and exploded
powder caissOn. This achievement
was received with shouts of exultation
by the beleaguered garrison. The
enemy retired distance of three miles.
At o'clock the engagement had ceased,
and Lexington was ours again. Next
morning Gen. Parsons, with. 10000 men
at his back, sent in flag of truce to a
little garrison OF 2,700, asking permis-
The request was willingly granted and
VIC cheerfully assisted in burying the
fallen foe. On Friday the work Of
throwing up intrenchments went on. It
rained all day, and the men stood knee
deep in the mud building them. On Fri
day, Saturday and Sunday we foraged
seven days provisions for two thous-
and seven hundred men. quantity Of
powder was obtained, and then large