The Irish standard., 1903-02-07

not forget!
Can l ever forget that memorable
July day, when standing in the crowd
fronting old st. Mary's church, Chica-
so, l saw the Irish brigade, then
LOO strong, marching in splendid
array down Wabash avenue, with the
twin glorious flags, the stars and
stripes and the green flag OF Erin,
borne side by side-and proudly and
gaily the column swept along, keeping
step to familiar music; and at the
head OF the column rode the gallant
and chivalrous commander, Colonel
james A. Mulligan.
do not need to dwell in particular
detail on the incidents of the brigade's
march, first to Quincy, thence to St.
Louis, and later into the interior of
Missouri, clearing it's way as it
marched until the objective point was
reached under General Fremont's Or
der, viz: The protection and defense
of Lexington. Colonel AIulligan was
assigned to the command of the
scanty garrison, some 300 men,
which included his own regiment. You
know how he was Immediately as
sailed and the place surrounded by
General Price with force outnumber-
ing the defense in the ratio Of ten to
one. You know too, how with meagre
supplies and insufficient ammunition
Colonel Mulligan held this poorly-pro-
vided and hastily-entrenched post dur
ing nine days-repelling assault after
assault-until his men We're worn out
with fatigue and frantic from thirst
the water supply being cut off-and
how at last, when there was no pros
pect of relief, he yielded to the painful
alternative Of surrender.
When Colonel Mulligan was shortly
afterwards exchanged and released,
how enthusiastically was he received
on his return!' Chicago went wild in
it's welcome, and from every city in
the north invitations poured in, in
viting him to speak or lecture on the
defense of Lexington. He proceeded
to the East and was everywhere well
coined with rapturous enthusiasm.
In November, 1861, he secured from
General Mcclellan, then in command
of the Union armies, an order restor-
ing the Twenty-third Illinois volun-
teers to the service-they had been
previously mustered out by General
IIalleck's order. Dec. 20, 1861, the
thanks of congress was rendered
Colonel Mulligan and the officers and
soldiers under his command.
In December, 1862, he was assigned
to the command of a brigade, though
still holding the rank of colonel, and
had many encounters with the enemy
at Moorfield, at Phillippi, at Fair
mount, and many other places-al-
ways coming out first best. In Octo-
Der, 1868, he was ordered to take COM
mand of division of troops, with
headquarters at New Creek, depart
ment of West Virginia.
The war in West Virginia was a
constant succession of swift raids and
attempts at surprise" on the part of
the enemy. The overwhelming sur
prise came at last, when General
Early, with great force, swept down
on the Union position at Kernstown.
Colonel Mulligan, under orders from
General Cook, who was in gen.
eral command, was CALAMITY endeav-
oring to rally his forces, and especially
his own favorite Irish brigade. The
onset Of the enemy could not be re-
strained-outnumbe on every side
the Union forces fell back farther
and farther, until the retreat became
n rout. The brave colonel was I'M
yielding. With the Irish brigade as
the rear guard of the retreating army
he faced the foe with unblanched
front, exhibiting, it was acknowledged
by the enemy. the mot impetuous
valor. Undaunted by numbers. he
still strove to cover the retreat. even
though he could not save the day. hut
it was hopeless-it was impossible.
He fell while rallving his men.
When his troops fell back. outnumher-
cd and outfianked. he was sitting
erect in his saddle and with hat off
was rallving by voice and example the
soldiers Of his own reeiment-the
men who loved him 40 dearly and who
were proud of their heroic leader. A
MIME ball passed through his thigh
and he fell from his horse. His staff
IA thered around him and assisted by
the brave men of his command, strove
to carry bin off the field. 1t was al
most certain death to every man who
approached him, and yet the gallant
men of the Irish brigade with their
colors planted close to where their
commander had fallen, rallied around
him to shield, and bear him out of
further danger. 1t was too late. The
enemy, perceiving the group and an
ticipating apparently their purpose,
concentrated their whole fire on them.
and ut every second dozen men
would drop dead or wounded around
the helpless colonel. Lieutenant james
Nugent, Mulligan's brother-in-law, and
who was serving OH his staff, was
struck down WQunded and at the