The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-02-01
Story as Told by Mulgan Himself of the War Event
at Lexington, Missouri.
IN THE TRENCHES FOR TEN LONG, HOT DAYS
Virginia Grand Army Post Named for Colonel MuIigan
Who Fell at Kernstown.

DhS CiClAAl iHOcuuCu W indhC OiC Z Blduu
rout and bury us all in the trenches at
Lexington. The batteries opened at
9 O'Clock and for three days never
ceased to pour deadly fire upon us.
About noon our hospital was taken.
1t was outside the intrenchments. l
had taken it for granted that it was
not necessary to build Notifications
around the sick mans couch. But I
was inexperienced. They besieged the
hospital, took it, and from the
balcony poured a deadly fire into our
intFenchments.
"The hospital contained our chap
lain, surgeon, 12O wounded. 1t could
not be allowed to remain in the pos
session of the enemy. Two companies
OF Missourians we're ordered in turn to
retake the hospital, but both refused.
The Montgomery Guards, Captain
Gleason, Of the Irish brigade, were
then ordered in. The commander with
a brief exhortation to uphold the his
toric name they bore, gave the word
to charge. The distance was 800
yards. They started, first quick, then
double quick, then on run, then
faster. The enemy poured a deadly
shower of bullets upon them, but on
they went up the slope to the hos
pltal door and with irresistible
bravery drove the enemy before them.
The hospital was retaken. Captain
Gleason was shot through the arm
and througfthe face.
Toward evening word came from
the enemy that il the whole garrison
did not surrender before next day
they would hoist the black flag and
give no quarter. We told them when
we asked for quarter it would be time
to settle that, We were in a terrible
situation. The men caught rainwater
in their blankets and wrung itoutinto
their canteens for drinking purposes.
Our surgeon was held by the enemy
against all the uSages Of war. Cap.
tain Noriarty went to the hospital
and with nothing but razor acted as
surgeon.
"On the morning Of the 10th the
firing was resumed and continued all
day. The day was signalized by a
fierce bayonet charge upon regiment
of the enemy which showed them that
our men we're not completely worried
out. The officers had told them to
hold out until the 10th, when they
would certainly be reinforced.
Through that day our little garrison
Istood with straining eyes, watching
to see If some friendly flag was bear.
I ing aid to them, with straining ears
awaiting the sound of a friendly
cannonade. But no re-inforcementS
appeared and with the energy Of
despair they determined to do theil
duty at all hazards.
"The 10Th was a horrid day. OuI
water cisterns had been drained aud
we dare not leave the crown Of the
hill and make our intrenchments on
the bank Of the river, for the enemy
could plant his cannon on the hill and
bury us. The day was burning hoi
and as the men bit their cartridges
their lips we're parohed and blistered
But not a word Of mumuring. Thai
might two yells we're ordered dug
We took two raviues and expected t
reach water 10 about thirty hours
During the night | passed around the
field and slnoothed back the clottec
hair and By the moonlight shining
through the trees recognized here anc
there the countenances Of my brave
men who had fallen. Some Of then
were my fayorites in the days gone
pasa who had stood by me in thos,
hours Of terror and fallen on the field
Sadly we buried them in the trenches
wThe moraingct the2oth broke bu
no rs-iufereements appeared. Still
; the men fonght on The enemy ha,
constructed movable breastworbs o
hemp cales rolled them up the hil
snt adFagqsd theiy batteries ~
nanncf II tyeonlmaad our forts ficatlons
\ Heated shols aee Asta a. them ~