The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-02-01

issue of the Evening Star, published
at Winchester, Virginia:
There were heroes on both sides
during the civil war-a war which for
display of bravery, tenacity and brill
liancy of its generals and wonderful
courage and devotedness Of its privates
has never been equaled. One of these
heroes was Colonel James A. Mulligan,
who was killed in 1864 at the battle
of Kernstown, and after whom Null
ligan Post No. 30, of this city, is
named. Colonel Mulligan before he
died told the following story Of how
he fought for ten days in the trenches
at Lexington, Mo-, and then surren-
dered because his men had no water,
no bread and no cartridges:
"On the night of August 30, 1861, :"
said Col Mulligan, ''as the Irish
brigade (Twenty-third Illinois) lay at
Jefferson, Mo-, l received orders to go
cut my way through the enemy, go to
Lexington and hold it at all hazards.
Next morning the brigade started with
40 rounds Of ammunition and three
days rations. We marched nine days
without meeting the enemy, foraging
upon the country for support. The
trouble was not so much in getting
into Lexington as in getting out. We
found there Col. Marshalls cavalry
regiment and $50 home guards. Col
Peabody Joined us September 10 with
the Thirteenth Missouri. He came
into the trenches with Gen Sterling
Price and 10000 confederates at his
heels
~ took command of the defenses
We mustered 2,7S0 men, with seven
6-pounders and 40 rounds Of rifle car
tridges, with but few rations. The
enemy had five batteries, numbering
Is guns. We commenced throwing up
intrenchments on College hill, an
eminence overlooking Lexington and
the broad Missouri. All day the 11th
our men worked with pick and shovel.
That evening our pickets were driven
in. We waited until the morning OF
the 18th, vigilant and without sleep,
and then messenger rushed in, say
ing: Colonel, the enemy is pushing
across the bridge in an overwhelming
force With a glass we could see
them as they came, Gen. Price riding
up and down the lines urging his men,
Two companies of the Thirteenth
Missouri with Company X Of the Irish
brigade, drove the enemy back and
burned the bridge.
'The enemy now made a detoul
and approached the town on the Inde,
pendence road. Six companies of the
MisSonrians and the cavalry met then
in Lexington cemetery, and the fight
ragged furiously over the dead VIZ
succeeded in keeping the enemy il
check, and meanwhile had thrown uI
intrenchmentS three or four feet high
At O'Clock the engagement opened
with artillery. The contest ragged fol
half an hour, when lucky shot
knocked over the enemy's big gun anC
also exploded powder caisson. Tht
fight continued until dusk, and as tn,
moon arose the enemy retired K
camp, two miles away, and Lexington
was our own again.
"On Friday, the 18th, it rained al
day and the men stood knee deep il
mud building intrenchments. a quan
tity Of powder was obtained, and on
cisterns were filed with water. TN,
men made cartridges aad cast l5I
rounds Of shot for the guns. All thi
time our pickcts were engaged Will
the enemy. On the night Of the It'll
we heard sounds Of preparations 70
attack in the enemy camp.
eAt O'Clock of the 18th the drum
beat ii arms, and the terrible sttug
gle commenced. The enemy's force
had fleen increased sc 1900 men
They came in one dark, moving mass
Taeg planted two batteries IN front
one On the left, one On the right Al
opein sbe geaE and opened With tes