lost in the work of intrenching their position, chosen about midway between the new and old towns of Lexington, which are about a mile apart, connected by a scattering settlement. Midway stands a solid brick edifice built for a college, and about this a small breastwork had been already begun. The visible fruits of this almost bloodless vic-| Price, imminently threatening. No time was tory are great-about three thousand five hundred prisoners, among whom are Cols. Mulligan, Marshall, Peabody, White, Grover, Major Van Horn, and one hundred and eighteen other commissioned officers, five pieces of artillery and two mortars, over three thousand stand of infantry arms, a large number of sabres, about seven hundred and fifty horses, many sets of cavalry equipments, wagons, teams, ammunition, more than one hundred thousand dollars' worth of commissary stores, and a large amount of other property. In addition to all this, I obtained the restoration of the Great Seal of the State and the Public Records, which had been stolen from their proper custodian, and about nine hundred thousand dollars in money, of which the Bank at this place had been robbed, and which I have caused to be returned to it. This victory has demonstrated the fitness of our citizen soldiery for the tedious operations of a siege as well as for a dashing charge. They lay for fifty-two hours in the open air, without tents or covering, regardless of the sun and rain, and in the very presence of a watchful and desperate foe, manfully repelling every assault, and patiently awaiting my orders to storm the fortifications. No general ever commanded a braver or a better army. It is composed of the best blood and the bravest men of Missouri. When nearly every one, officers and men, behaved so well, as is known to your Excellency, (who was present with the army during the whole period embraced in this report,) it is impossible to make special mention of individuals, without seemingly making invidious distinctions. But I may be permitted to express my personal obligations to my volunteer aids, as well as to my staff, for their efficient services and prompt attention to all my orders. I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, your Excellency's obedient servant, STERLING PRICE, CHICAGO "TRIBUNE" NARRATIVE. On Sunday, September 1st, the Irish Brigade, Colonel James A. Mulligan, who were then in a partially intrenched camp at Jefferson City, were ordered to proceed to Lexington, Lafayette County, one hundred and sixty miles up the river, to reinforce the troops already at that place, under Colonel Peabody, consisting of sevral hundred Home Guards, a few Kansas troops, And a portion of the Missouri Eighth regiment, Colonel White, with seven hundred of the First regiment Illinois Cavalry, Colonel T. M. Marshall. These latter had preceded Colonel Mulligan's force one week in their advance from Jefferson City. Col. Mulligan's arrival with the Irish Brigade swelled the force at Lexington to about three thousand five hundred men, Col. Mulligan taking the command as senior officer. The brigade reached Lexington on Monday, Sept. 9th, and found the attack by the enemy, under Gen. By Col. Mulligan's orders this was extended, and the troops set about the construction of an earthwork, ten feet in height, with a ditch eight feet in width, enclosing a large area capable of containing a force of ten thousand men. The army train consisting of numerous mule teams, six mules to a team, was brought within this. The supply of intrenching tools being inadequate, a thorough search was made through both towns, and every description of suitable or available implements appropriated. The work was pushed with vigor, the heavy muscle of the brigade telling well as the brave fellows toiled in the trenches. This went on for three days, or until Thursday, the 12th, at which time the portion of the works assigned to the Irish Brigade was well advanced, that of the Home Guard, being still weak on the west, or New Lexington side. Of Lexington, it should be said in advance, that it has been considered a most important point by the Confederate forces, and their preparations for its capture and occupancy abundantly declare this. Among other proofs that it was a covert prize, was the fact that Claib. Jackson and the Legislature had been in session there as late as only the week previous to the arrival of Col. Mulligan, holding their session in the Court House, whence Claib. fulminated a proclamation counter to that of Gen. Fremont. When this worthy body prudently retired be fore the Federal troops, they did so in such haste that eight hundred thousand dollars in gold coin, and the State scals left in the vault of the bank, fell into the hands of Col. Peabody. The college building within the fortification, became Colonel Mulligan's head-quarters. The magazine and treasure were stored in the cellar and suitably protected. The hospital of our troops was located just outside the intrenchments, in a northwesterly direction. The river at that point is about half a mile wide, and about half a mile distant from the fortifications. The bluff there is high and abrupt, the steamboat landing being at New Lexington. After these several days of anxions watching and unremitting toil by the little force, on the afternoon of Thursday the 12th inst., scouts and advanced pickets driven in, reported the near approach of the rebels. At this time Col. Mulligan had a portion of his small artillery in readiness. We had only six brass pieces and two howitzers, but having no shell, the latter were useless. Two pieces belonged to the Kansas City company, and were worked by them splendidly. The cavalry company had only their side-arms and pistols, and having no carbines or rifles, could do nothing at long range. Several mines were laid in front of the in- | was heard at a distance several times by them, trenchments by our men. in various directions from Lexington, which they understood to be encounters between the enemy and these relief parties. The attack on Thursday the 12th, was led by Gen. Rains in person, with a battery of nine pieces of artillery on the angle least prepared to resist assault. The enemy were repulsed with heavy loss. In the fight Companies I, Capt. Fitzgerald, K, Capt. John Quirk, and G, Capt. Phillips, did gallant service. As stated, the hospital had been located on the bank below the new town, and contained about twenty-four patients. The attacking party did not spare or respect this building. They were met by the Montgomery Guards, Capt. Gleeson, who made a brave resistance, but were driven back with the loss of twenty-five of their men killed and wounded. Capt. Gleeson was shot through the jaw and badly wounded. The gallant Montgomery made many of the Texans bite the dust. This fight was very fierce. Some of the sick were actually bayoneted or sabred in their cots. Rev. Father Butler, an esteemed Catholic clergyman of this city, and the chaplain of the Irish Brigade, was wounded in the forehead by a ball which passed across it, laying open the skin. He was taken prisoner, as also was Dr. Winer, surgeon of the brigade, thus depriving the regiment of the valuable services of both, during the dark and trying days that followed, preceding the surrender. The issue of the 12th, warned the enemy that they had a task before them which was no easy one, and they commenced on Friday morning a new system of approaches. They scoured the entire region for its staple, hemp in bales. These were thoroughly wetted as a safeguard against red-hot shot, and then were skilfully used to mask the batteries of the rebels, and rolled forward as they made their advances. The fight went on thus for several days, the enemy bringing more of their artillery into action. Following the skirmish of Thursday, Mulligan ordered a portion of the old town on the east to be burned to prevent the rebels from gaining therefrom the advantage of shelter. Meanwhile, the little garrison already worn by labor on the intrenchments, began to look eagerly for the coming of reinforcements. On the 10th, Col. Mulligan had sent Lieut. Rains of Co. K of the Brigade, with a squad of twelve men, on the steamer Sunshine, to Jefferson City, one hundred and sixty miles distant, pressing the necessity for reinforcements. Forty miles below, the Sunshine was captured, and Rains and his men brought back to New Lexington, and lodged as prisoners in the old Fair Ground. Other messengers were sent off to guard against the failure of any one. The enemy were in sufficient force to throw out parties to intercept the Federal troops en route for the relief of Col. Mulligan. Thus, a detachment of five thousand strong, met and turned back one thousand five hundred Iowa troops from Richmond, sixteen miles from the river, they retreating, it is reported, to St. Joseph. Our informant says heavy cannonading The situation of the Federal troops grew more desperate as day after day passed. Within their lines were picketed about the wagons and trains a large number of horses and mules, nearly three thousand in all, now a serious cause of care and anxiety, for as shot and shell plunged among them, many of the animals were killed and wounded, and from the struggles of these latter, the danger of a regular stampede was imminent. The havoc in the centre of the intrenchment was immense. Wagons were knocked to pieces, stores scattered and destroyed, and the ground strewn with dead horses and mules. On Wednesday, the 17th, an evil, from the first apprehended, fell upon Colonel Mulligan's command. They were cut off from the river, and the water gave out. Fortunately a heavy rain came at intervals, greatly to their relief. But to show how severe the straits of the men, the fact may be stated of instances occurring where soldiers held their blankets spread out until thoroughly wet, and then wrung them into their camp dishes, carefully saving the priceless fluid thus obtained. Rations also began to grow short. The fighting at this time, from the 16th to the 21st, knew little cessation. The nights were brilliant moonlight, and all night long the roar of the guns continued, with an occasional sharp sortie and skirmish outside the works. From the first but one spirit pervaded our troops, and that was no thought or word of surrender, except among some of the Home Guards, who had done the least share of the work and the fighting. The cavalry behaved nobly, and could the full details be written up, some of their sharp, brave charges on the enemy's guns, would shine with any battle exploits on record. Gen. Price sent Col. Mulligan a summons to surrender, to which the gallant commander sent a refusal, saying, "If you want us, you must take us." But the defection and disheartenment of the Home Guard intensified daily, and on Friday, the 21st, while Col. Mulligan was giving his attention to some matters in another portion of the camp, the white flag was raised, at his own instance, by Major Becker of the Home Guards, from the portion of the intrenchment assigned to him. Capt. Simpson, of the Earl Rifles, called Col. Mulligan's attention to Maj. Becker's action instantly, and the Jackson Guard, Capt. McDermott, of Detroit, were sent to take down that flag, which was done. The heaviest part of the fight of the day followed in a charge upon the nearest battery of the enemy, the Illinois Cavalry suffering severely. The Home Guards then left the outer work and retreated within the line of the inner intrenchments, about the college buildings, refusing to fight longer, and here, again, raised the white flag, this time from the centre of the fortifications, when the fire of the enemy slack- | force only eight women, Col. Mulligan and ened and ceased. Under this state of affairs, several of his officers having left their wives at Col. Mulligan, calling his officers into council, Jefferson City. decided to capitulate, and Capt. McDermott went out to the enemy's lines, with a handkerchief tied to a ramrod, and a parley took place. Maj. Moore, of the brigade, was sent to Gen. Price's head-quarters, at New Lexington, to know the terms of capitulation. These were made unconditional, the officers to be retained as prisoners of war, the men to be allowed to depart with their personal property, surrendering their arms and accoutrements. The prisoners will be taken to Springfield and held for exchange, rank for rank. Claib. Jackson came into Lexington on Saturday, it is reported, bringing his travelling Legislature with him. Reluctantly this was acceded to, and the surrender took place. At four P. M. on Saturday the Federal forces, having laid down their arms, were marched out of the intrenchments to the tune of "Dixie" played by the rebel bands. They left behind them their arms and accoutrements, reserving only their clothing. The boys of the brigade, many of them, wept to leave behind their colors, each company in the brigade having its own standard presented to it by its friends. At the surrender, the muster-rolls of the companies were taken to Gen. Price's headquarters, the list of officers made out, and these ordered to report themselves as prisoners of war. The scenes at the capitulation were extraordinary. Col. Mulligan shed tears. The men threw themselves upon the ground, raved and stormed in well nigh frenzy, demanding to be led out again and "finish the thing." In Col. Marshall's Cavalry regiment, the feeling was equally great. Much havoc had already been done among their horses during the siege, and but little more than half of them remained. Numbers of the privates actually shot their horses dead on the spot, unwilling that their companions in the campaign should now fall into the enemy's hands. The privates, numbering some one thousand five hundred strong, were first made to take the oath not to serve against the Confederate States, when they were put across the river, and in charge of Gen. Rains marched on Saturday night to Richmond, sixteen miles, whence on Sunday they marched to Hamilton, a station on the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, where they were declared free to go where they pleased. While on this march they experienced generous and humane treatment, both from Gen. Rains and from the residents along the routesuch is the statement of several of our men. Gen. Rains ordered an entire flock of sheep to be given to them, and there was no time lost in apportionment or appropriation. The inhabitants also liberally gave them provisions. Wag ons were provided for those unable to walk, either from wounds or fatigue, and the whole party thus came through with extraordinary expedition. Word was sent to Gen. Prentiss at Quincy, and means of transportation provided by which the men were brought down to Quincy, where they arrived on Monday. There were with the We have thus hastily thrown together the main features of the protracted defence of Lexington, without detail, and almost without touching upon the question of loss. That of the enemy is variously estimated at from one thousand to two thousand killed and wounded, and on the side of the Federals from three hundred to five hundred. Of our men one hundred and forty were left in the hospital at Lexington. A full list of the killed and wounded must be awaited. Colonel Mulligan was wounded on the last day of the fight by a ball through the calf of the leg, and a flesh wound on the right arm, from a grape shot. We have already referred to the injury of Captain Gleeson, received in the defence of the hospital. In the same encounter, among the killed, was John Saville of Chicago, private in Company G, Irish Brigade; also Corporal Andrew Hill of the Jackson Guards, and Cornelius O'Leary. Sergeant Moony was shot through the shoulder. Private Morris was instantly killed by a round shot, half his head being carried away. Colonel Marshall is wounded, a ball having struck him in the chest, inflicting a serious wound; James Conway, the hospital steward of the Irish Brigade, is killed. Our last night's despatches in the telegraph column, give a continued list of the killed and wounded as far as made up last evening. Among the lamented dead is Colonel White of St. Louis, of the Missouri Eighth, a gallant officer who did his duty nobly, and was mortally wounded in the last day's fight. The incidents of the eventful week so sadly terminated would fill a volume if written out. In one charge on the enemy's battery, our boys captured a flag which one of our informants assures us will be brought to Chicago. The inhabitants of Quincy turned out in generous style to receive and refresh the worn and weary soldiers. An immense store of provisions awaited their arrival at that city, and no word or token of welcome and sympathy was lacking. But one sentiment prevails in the ranks of our gallant Irish Brigade, and that is to demand that they be re-officered and led into the field, to revenge their reverses and win back their noble commander. And they will do it. Let them be generously cared for, for they have wrought well and gloriously. They will remain at Quincy until they are paid off. Let them bo at once re-armed and accoutred, and this time with the best that can fall to the soldier's lot. They have shown themselves worthy of the best. ANOTHER ACCOUNT. An "eye-witness" communicated the following to the Missouri Republican: The fight or siege really commenced on Wednesday, the 11th, at which time an advance force of three thousand men, under Gen. Harris, advanced upon Lexington from the south. Lexington at this time was held by Col. Mulligan, of the Irish Brigade, with a force of two thousand six hundred and forty men, made up as follows: Irish Brigade, Col. Mulligan, Thirteenth Missouri, Col. Peabody, 800 500 840 500 Upon the advance of Gen. Harris, Col. Marshall's cavalry and the Thirteenth Missouri under Lieut.-Col. Hatcher, were ordered out to meet them. A sharp and decisive action occurred Wednesday evening at a point some two miles south of the city, and near the Fair Ground, which resulted in considerable loss to the Confederates, owing to their having fallen into an ambuscade prepared for them by the Thirteenth Missouri. The Federal loss was small-only some four being killed and a small proportionate number being wounded. house and the river-creeping well down the rariver on the west, and extending up among the vines and gullies that lie between the grounds and wooded shores that bound the college grounds on the north. The earthworks were simple breast works, protected by traverses, with a ditch behind them for the cover of the soldiers. On the morning of Wednesday, the pickets of the Federals were driven in by the overwhelming forces of the enemy, a battery of two pieces was planted by the Confederates, at a distance of some six or eight hundred yards, on the street running south from the college grounds-another battery was placed to the southwest, across an immense ravine that separates the grounds from the city, another was planted on the northwest, and a fourth on the north, and then, at a given signal from Gen. Price, the whole thirteen pieces opened at once their fiery throats upon the Federals. The latter had one four, one twelve, and three sixpounders, and getting into position, they too joined the chorus that went thundering over the country with a volume that shook the very foundations of the earth. To the west the Confederates erected an immense breast work of hemp bales, and another in the timber at the north-behind these were posted batteries and sharpshooters, while every The action would have been still more decisive tree, rock, elevation, fence, gully, house, and had not the Thirteenth regiment, by some mis-obstruction in the vicinity of the works afforded take, been ordered to fall back by LieutenantColonel Hatcher. From this time till Wednesday, the 18th, no affairs of importance occurred, the fighting being confined to skirmishes between the hostile pickets. Much powder was burned in this way, and much lead wasted by the amateurs on both sides-each exhausted ingenuity in crawling up on and devising means to get a shot at the other. Tuesday night, however, the aspect of affairs was changed by the arrival of immense reinforcements to the Confederates, by which their three thousand became, in an incredibly short space of time, swelled to thirty-five thousand with thirteen pieces of artillery. In the mean time the Federals had not been idle. To the northeast of Lexington, and included within its limits, are a large college and grounds, including an area of perhaps fifteen acres. Around the college, which stands rather upon the eastern side of the grounds, had been constructed a redan of immense strength, with embrasures, and a banquette for barbette guns. shelter to a rifleman. The Confederate forces absolutely swarmed in every direction, and every instant the sharp crack of a thousand guns could be heard, as the concealed secessionists "blazed away" at every thing within the work that showed a sign of life. Wednesday the Confederates obtained possession of Colonel Anderson's house and instantly filled it with their sharpshooters. They clambered up on the roof, got behind the chimneys, fired from the windows, doorways, cistern-any thing that would afford them protection. This was only some thirty or forty yards from the outer line of intrenchments, and they were able to annoy the Federals considerably, so much so toward night that Col. Mulligan ordered the house to be cleared, which was done in a twinkling at double-quick by a platoon of the Irish Brigade, who routed them at the point of the bayonet. but in the course of the night this was balanced by a party of Col. Marshall's cavalry, who succeeded in taking a Confederate flag from one of the outer trenches. During Wednesday some of the outer works on the north side were taken by the enemy; the Federals retiring in good order to an inner The parapets were of immense thickness, and line, and obtaining shelter with no great loss. were composed of dirt with sod revetments-In doing this, an American flag was captured; the whole being perfectly impregnable to cannon shot or shell. Around, in every direction, the Federals, under Captain Coney, of the Irish Brigade, proceeded to throw up earthworks, till the outer line of the intrenchments, swept away The tremendous cannonade of the Confedfrom the redan, including a seminary or board-erates, which was kept up all day Wednesday, ing-house that stands some fifty yards nearer did no damage whatever to the persons of the the river than the college, reaching nearly Federals. I could only ascertain a single case down to a fine brick residence belonging to Col. of loss of life by cannon shot in the entire three Anderson, that stands between the last-named days; but they tore great limbs from the trees, opened many huge chasms in the beautiful college building, and quite as frequently as otherwise, the big balls went whizzing harmlessly over the Federal works, and dropped somewhere in the very places occupied by the Confederate forces, with a result best known to themselves. Thursday the cannonade amounted to but little-it was mainly confined to the twelvepounder of the Confederates, with an occasional reply from the besieged. But the cracking of small-arms was incessant; and so thick and close were the enemy about the works, and so accurate the aim of their sharpshooters, that a man, a head, or a cap shown for a single instant above the works, was sure to be saluted with fifty balls that never went many inches from the mark. Thursday evening the enemy sent in a flag of truce and requested the removal of some wounded Federals from the house of Col. Anderson. A truce of two hours was agreed on; the wounded were carried down town, and the opportunity was embraced by many of the Federals to go down to the river and fill their canteens with water. Thursday night the enemy fired hot shot into the college, but did no damage. The ammunition was kept in a subterranean apartment, thickly covered with dirt and sods. Friday morning a brisk cannonading was opened, and the fusilade of small-arms begun and kept up incessantly till afternoon. About one o'clock, Major Becker, of the Home Guards, ran out a white flag, at his own suggestion; and which being perceived by the Federals, he was instantly complimented by a dozen shots-none of which, fortunately or unfortunately, happened to hit him. However, a parley ensued, and finally it was agreed to surrender; the officers to retain their side-arms, and all private property to be respected. the cannon were useless for want of ammunition; dead horses strewing the ground in every direction produced a most intolerable odor: these, and perhaps other similar circumstances, characterized the condition of affairs at about the time of the capitulation, and were sufficient not only to drive a man into surrender, but into suicide or insanity. At all events, the surrender was not made particularly because they were not reinforced; for the force there could have held the place a month with the bayonet alone, had the hordes of Price been trebled. But the want of water was a serious and irremediable evil. Men can stand fatigue, neglect, cannon shot, any thing; but thirst is an enemy of a different character -one that admits of no delay. I am forced then to conclude that, though Colonel Mulligan wept at the necessity which forced him to surrender, stern necessity, his duty to his men and his country, left him no other alternative. The terms of surrender were scarcely agreed upon ere the thousands that were lurking in the timber and behind the breastworks swarmed into the grounds and rent the air with their vivas of jubilation. Almost as quickly, too, half of the officers' trunks were broken open, their contents abstracted, and simultaneously with these movements, a shot-gun hero clambered to the roof of the college and tore down the American flag, which still, in spite of shot and shell, had fluttered unharmed over the seat of conflict. That same night the Irish Brigade were sworn not to take up arms against the Confederate States or the State of Missouri, and then, with their clothes on their backs and nothing to eat, they were put across the river and left to find their way home as best they could. The next day the Thirteenth Missouri regiment was served in the same manner, and Notwithstanding the gallant unwillingness Sunday night the balance, consisting of the of Colonel Mulligan to surrender, affairs had Home Guards, were also put over-all in their reached a condition that rendered such an oper- march down the street to the river, being ao ation an imperative necessity. With the ex-companied by the liberal curses of the Confedception of the little water obtained while the wounded were being removed the night before, the command had had nothing to drink for forty-eight hours. In addition to this, they had no round shot except a few rough-hewn specimens manufactured at a neighboring foundry by Captain McNulty, of the cavalry. They had a few shells, but they were unfilled, and when filled no one could manufacture fuzes. Even with shell ready for firing, they had only two miserable little affairs which they called mortars, but which were more properly machines for testing the strength of powder. The muskets of the command were generally the old smooth-bore, with balls of the wrong calibre. The cavalry were put in the trenches to fight, and had nothing to do it with except horse pistols. erate troops who lined the streets. The officers were taken down to the Virginia Hotel, and allowed the freedom of the city upon giving their parole of honor not to escape. The scenes around the streets of Lexington, Friday, after the surrender, beggar all descrip tion. The howls of joy and drunken jubilation coming from thirty thousand throats, made up a sound scarcely less than when, two days be fore, eighteen pieces of artillery and ten thousand small-arms were shattering the air in one hideous chorus. The officers of the Confederates were generally gentlemen, and behaved as such; but as for the common soldiers and their course that evening, I don't believe it could be equalled were all hell to be turned loose for a general carnival. Whiskey, of course, was there-in men's The Home Guards, as a general thing, sneaked brains, in their eyes, brandished in bottles, galinto the trenches and refused to fight at all;loping "like mad " along the street, hoarsely |