General James Mulligan KIA CDV,
3/4 standing pose in uniform as Colonel of the 23rd Illinois. At the
onset of the civil war, Mulligan raised the 23rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry
Regiment in 1861, which was locally known as the "Irish
Brigade." This unit included the "Chicago Shield
Guards." In September 1861, he led his troops toward Lexington,
Missouri, as word had been received that this vital river town would be
attacked by the pro-Confederate Missouri State Guard under Major General
Sterling Price. Commanded Camp Douglas, fought at the Battle of
Leetown. On July 24, 1864, Mulligan led his troops into the Second Battle
of Kernstown, near Winchester, Virginia. Late in the afternoon, Major
General John B. Gordon's Confederate force attacked Mulligan's 1800 soldiers
from ground beyond Opequon Church. Mulligan briefly held off Gordon's
units, but Confederate Major General John C. Breckinridge, a former U.S Vice
President, led a devastating flank attack against the Irishmen from the east
side of the Valley Pike. Sharpshooters under Confederate Major General
Stephen D. Ramseur then attacked Mulligan's right flank from the west.
Now encompassed on three sides, the Union battle line fell apart.
Mulligan was shot by a sharpshooter and died two days later. Back mark
Anthony.