""RESCUED"" FLAG OF JAMES A. MULLIGAN'S 23RD ILLINOIS ""IRISH BRIGADE"" A superb Civil War relic from an important regiment led by a brilliant Irish commander who would by killed in battle a section of the colors flown by Col. James A. Mulligan's 23rd Illinois Vols. the ""Irish Brigade"" and shredded to prevent its capture when the regiment was overrun at Lexington on Sep. 20 1861. The 3 1/2"" x 1"" section of woven red cloth is attached with a pin to a cardboard backing with a typed note of provenance ca. 1900. Although the note contains an error or two the names and essential data bear up under scrutiny. It reads in part: ""This is a fragment of the flag that floated over a fort on the Missouri River at Lexington Mo. commanded by Genl. Mulligan...which capitulated to the Confederate Army on the 20th of Sept. 186[1]. Rather than lose their flag the Color Sergeant tore it from the staff then to bits gave them to the soldiers who secreted them in their garments as best they could. This bit was carried home...by one of the men - Americaus Shay - who gave it to his sister..."". Sold with Shay's service record. Most of the men from the regiment were soon paroled Shay being released on Oct. 8. Some immediately returned to service breaking their parole and were recaptured at Shiloh. Of those some were recognized and immediately executed. Mulligan so impressed Sterling Price with his performance at the battle he was given Price's horse and buggy to return to Union lines. He would not be so lucky three years hence losing his life in combat at Kernstown.