Gallery: James Mulligan
James Mulligan
James A. Mulligan was born in Ithaca, New York, in 1829, to parents who had immigrated to the United States from Ireland. In 1856, while living in Chicago, he was appointed second lieutenant of the “Chicago Shield Guards.” When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Mulligan raised the 23rd Illinois Infantry Regiment, known locally as the “Irish Brigade,” which included the “Chicago Shield Guards.”
In September 1861, Mulligan commanded 3,500 Union troops in Lexington, Missouri, facing approximately 18,000 Missouri State Guard troops under the command of Major General Sterling Price. After a three-day formal siege, Price’s troops used hemp bales soaked in river water as mobile breastworks to advance against Mulligan’s forces. Because of the State Guard’s tactical innovation, the action soon became known as the “Battle of the Hemp Bales.” Price was so impressed by Mulligan’s demeanor and conduct during and after the battle he offered him his personal horse and buggy and a safe escort back to the Union lines.
Mulligan held command of Camp Douglas, a prisoner of war camp near Chicago, for five months in 1862. In 1864 he distinguished himself during battles in and around Leetown, Virginia, including the Second Valley Campaign, where he faced Confederate General Jubal Early. Being vastly outnumbered by the Confederates, Mulligan was ordered to hold and delay them as long as possible to cover the retreat of other Union forces. He bought valuable time allowing Union forces to concentrate their forces in the valley. On July 24, 1864, while engaged with Confederate forces in the Second Battle of Kernstown, near Winchester, Virginia, Colonel Mulligan was mortally wounded. When his men attempted to carry him from the field of battle he ordered, “Lay me down and save the flag.” Captured by Confederate forces, Mulligan died two days later.
Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 31546
