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.”

Mulligan was ordered to lead the regiment to Missouri, and on the night of August 30, the 23rd was camped outside Jefferson City. That evening, Mulligan received orders to move his men to Tipton, join another Union regiment there, move the entire force to Lexington, and hold the town “at all hazards.”

Mulligan did as ordered, and began fortifying the area around the town’s Masonic College on September 11. The following day, General Sterling Price and his large force of Missouri State Guardsmen approached the town.

A formal siege of the Union position began on September 18. Three days later, after Price’s troops used hemp bales soaked in river water as mobile breastworks to advance against the Union earthworks, the Union commander surrendered his 3,500 troops. 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 took 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, where he faced Confederate General Jubal Early. Although 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 commanders 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, Mulligan ordered, “Lay me down and save the flag.” Captured by the Confederates, Mulligan died two days later.

Carte-de-Visite by Unknown Photographer

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 31546