Battle of Lexington I
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The First Battle of Lexington or the Battle of the Hemp Bales was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring from September 13 to September 20, 1861, between the Union Army and the Missouri State Guard, in Lafayette County, Missouri. The engagement bolstered Southern sentiment and briefly consolidated state control in the Missouri Valley.
Following the victory at Wilson's Creek, the Missouri State Guard, having consolidated forces in the northern and central part of the state, marched, under the command of Maj. Gen. Sterling Price, on Lexington. Col. James A. Mulligan commanded the entrenched Union garrison of about 3,500 men. Price's men first encountered Union skirmishers on September 13 south of town and pushed them back into the fortifications.
Price, having bottled the Union troops up in Lexington, decided to await his ammunition wagons, other supplies, and reinforcements before assaulting the fortifications. By September 18, Price was ready and ordered an assault. The Missouri State Guard moved forward amidst heavy Union artillery fire and pushed the enemy back into their inner works. On September 19, the Missourians consolidated their positions, kept the Federals under heavy artillery fire, and prepared for the final attack. Early on the morning of September 20, Price's men advanced behind mobile breastworks, made of hemp, close enough to take the Union works at the Masonic College in a final rush. Mulligan requested surrender terms after noon, and by 2:00 p.m. his men had vacated their works and stacked their arms.
Casualties were relatively low because the battle was largely fought from protective positions. Price lost only 120 men killed and wounded. The Union army lost approximately 150 killed and wounded, however the entire Union garrison was taken prisoner. Almost all captured soldiers were paroled by General Price with the notable exception of Colonel Mulligan, who refused parole.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- The Battle of Lexington, Fought in and About the City of Lexington, Missouri on September 18th, 19th and 20th, 1861. Lexington Historical Society. 1903.
- National Park Service battle description
