James A. Mulligan, Civil War Soldier
Title
James A. Mulligan, Civil War Soldier
Subject
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Description
James A. Mulligan
It should be stated of this soldier that his real name was John Powell. The reason for his alias is to be found in his military experience.
Born in Halifax, N.S._Son of George Powell,_by occupation a Pedler,_Unmarried,_was 29 years of age when the war broke out.
When Fort Sumter fell, Powell was in Missouri. In a few days he went to Illinois as it was expected that Missouri would secede. Enlisted at Jacksonville, Ill._but the company was disbanded after twelve days, as the Governor thought there would be no call for the troops._Thence went to Springfield, Ill. And served thirty days in the Chicago {Louaves} (formerly Ellsworth’s)_At Chicago May 23rd 1861 he enlisted for three years in Col. Mulligan’s Brigade._Remained at “Camp Douglas” till July 15th. Thence to {Quincy}, Ill,_to St. Louis,_to Jefferson City.
September 9th the brigade arrived by a forced march of 140 miles on two days rations at Lexington Mo. And commenced the defence of that place. The siege was commenced by the rebels under Gen. Price on the 12th, and continued with stubbornness of attack and defence for several days. On the 21st Col. Mulligan capitulated. At 4 P.M. on that day the Federal forces were marched out of the entrenchments. They left behind them their arms and {accoutrements}, reserving only their clothing. The privates 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 to Richmond, Mo. And the next day to Hamilton, where they were set free. They took cars to Quincy, Il, and thence to St. Louis, where they were discharged. October 17th, by Gen. Curtis from the United States Service._Powell returned to Chicopee.
Having determined to go into the army again, and knowing the danger of recognition in breaking his oath, he adopted the name of James A. Mulligan. Re-enlisted August 12th 1862 for three years in the 37th Regiment of Infantry, Mass. Vols._Company K.
Mustered into service August 20th and was appointed 3rd Corporal.
Soon after the arrival of the regiment in Washington, he left it on the 29th of September and was sent to the Convalescent Camp at Alexandria, Va._Remained there till February 7th 1863, when he was discharged from the service and returned to Chicopee.
Previous to the service described above. Mulligan had had military experience in the United States regular Cavalry. He enlisted at Nashville Tenn. In 1854, under Captain (afterwards General) R.S. Ewell. Served five months at Jefferson Barracks Mo. Under Colonel (afterwards General) E.V. Sumner. At the expiration of that time, the regiment proceeded to New Mexico and was there engaged in campaigns and defence against the Indians during the remainder of Mulligan’s term of enlistment.
Discharged in 1859
29 Aug. 1864, he reenlisted for 3 years in the 29th Maine Vols. Co. “B” Rank, private. He served in the fall and winter campaigns of ’64, taking part in the following battles, {Weldon} R. Road, {Hatcher’s} River Dec. 3d, Stony Creek Feb. 6. Having contracted rheumatism he was sent to City Point Hospital, 28 March 1865; thence he was transferred to Army {Sq.} Hospital, Washington, {???}. He was mustered out of service June {9} 1865.
It should be stated of this soldier that his real name was John Powell. The reason for his alias is to be found in his military experience.
Born in Halifax, N.S._Son of George Powell,_by occupation a Pedler,_Unmarried,_was 29 years of age when the war broke out.
When Fort Sumter fell, Powell was in Missouri. In a few days he went to Illinois as it was expected that Missouri would secede. Enlisted at Jacksonville, Ill._but the company was disbanded after twelve days, as the Governor thought there would be no call for the troops._Thence went to Springfield, Ill. And served thirty days in the Chicago {Louaves} (formerly Ellsworth’s)_At Chicago May 23rd 1861 he enlisted for three years in Col. Mulligan’s Brigade._Remained at “Camp Douglas” till July 15th. Thence to {Quincy}, Ill,_to St. Louis,_to Jefferson City.
September 9th the brigade arrived by a forced march of 140 miles on two days rations at Lexington Mo. And commenced the defence of that place. The siege was commenced by the rebels under Gen. Price on the 12th, and continued with stubbornness of attack and defence for several days. On the 21st Col. Mulligan capitulated. At 4 P.M. on that day the Federal forces were marched out of the entrenchments. They left behind them their arms and {accoutrements}, reserving only their clothing. The privates 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 to Richmond, Mo. And the next day to Hamilton, where they were set free. They took cars to Quincy, Il, and thence to St. Louis, where they were discharged. October 17th, by Gen. Curtis from the United States Service._Powell returned to Chicopee.
Having determined to go into the army again, and knowing the danger of recognition in breaking his oath, he adopted the name of James A. Mulligan. Re-enlisted August 12th 1862 for three years in the 37th Regiment of Infantry, Mass. Vols._Company K.
Mustered into service August 20th and was appointed 3rd Corporal.
Soon after the arrival of the regiment in Washington, he left it on the 29th of September and was sent to the Convalescent Camp at Alexandria, Va._Remained there till February 7th 1863, when he was discharged from the service and returned to Chicopee.
Previous to the service described above. Mulligan had had military experience in the United States regular Cavalry. He enlisted at Nashville Tenn. In 1854, under Captain (afterwards General) R.S. Ewell. Served five months at Jefferson Barracks Mo. Under Colonel (afterwards General) E.V. Sumner. At the expiration of that time, the regiment proceeded to New Mexico and was there engaged in campaigns and defence against the Indians during the remainder of Mulligan’s term of enlistment.
Discharged in 1859
29 Aug. 1864, he reenlisted for 3 years in the 29th Maine Vols. Co. “B” Rank, private. He served in the fall and winter campaigns of ’64, taking part in the following battles, {Weldon} R. Road, {Hatcher’s} River Dec. 3d, Stony Creek Feb. 6. Having contracted rheumatism he was sent to City Point Hospital, 28 March 1865; thence he was transferred to Army {Sq.} Hospital, Washington, {???}. He was mustered out of service June {9} 1865.
Source
Soldier's Record, Town of Chicopee
Date
ca. 1861-1865
Rights
Public Domain
Type
Text
Coverage
Chicopee (Mass.)
Identifier
SR-187.0
Files
Collection
Citation
“James A. Mulligan, Civil War Soldier,” Chicopee Archives Online, accessed November 5, 2024, https://chicopeelibrary.org/archives/items/show/2703.