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THE SIEGE OF LEXINGTON.

THE HOSPITAL. THE COLLEGE, FRONTING SOUTH.

THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON, MO. , AS SEEN FROM GENERAL PARSONS’ POSITION. AFTER A CONTEMPORARY DRAWING.

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silence prevailed. As Father Butler went round among them, they asked hisblessing, received it with uncovered heads, then turned and sternly cockedtheir muskets.

The enemy opened a terrible fire with their cannon on all sides, which weanswered with determination and spirit. Our spies had brought intelligence,and had all agreed that it was the intention of the enemy to make a grandrush, overwhelm us, and bury ns in the trenches of Lexington.

At noon, word was brought that the enemy had taken the hospital. Wehad not fortified that; it was situated outside the intrencliments, and I hadsupposed that the little white flag was sufficient protection for the woundedand dying soldiers who had finished their service and were powerless for harm.The hospital contained our chaplain, our surgeon, and a number of wounded.The enemy took it without opposition, filled it with their sharp-shooters, andfrom every window, every door, from the scuttles in the roof, poured rightinto our intrencliments a deadly drift of lead. A company of the HomeGuards, then a company of the Missouri 14th, were ordered to retake thehospital, but refused. The Montgomery Guards, a company of the IrishBrigade, was then ordered out. Their captain admonished them to upholdthe gallant name they bore, and the order was given to charge. The distanceacross the plain from the intrencliments to the hospital was about eightyyards. They started; at first quick, then double-quick, then on a run, then