Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-11-19
Le.tcr from Major German.
Carr CLARK, MArAnoRAs. MExIco,
October IL, 1876.

October H. 1896 )
Editor of the Iadiane Democrat:
E:-rhe Indiana volunteers Of the third regiment
are nov encamped this place. except two companies,
to-wit: Capt Gibson Of the Clark Guards and Captain
Allen Of the Johnson county volunteers who have been
regiment is ~ general good health with lew exceptions,
least comparatively speaking with former encamP-
ment at "Camp BelknsPP The details OF the great
battle at Monterey have been given by many writers,
before that think useless To speak further on that
subject The principal object Of this letter IS To correct
very and unjust comments made by the editor
OF the Madison Banner relative 20 the officers of the
Indiana Brigade. and particularly OF Col H. Lane OF
this regiment. The editors correspondent, ia whom he
places much confidence to base the assertion that
the General Tay had kept behind the regu
lars was that he had confidence IN the commanding
officers" This is palpablY false, aud so shamenly
disgraeefI the author that cannot help exposing H.
IN the place there is in the third regi
ment that has seen or been within ten miles Of General
Taylor since they started this campaign but on the
contrary the third regiment have had said Of them
than once, that tins regiment WELL IL not
the very best drilled IN the volunteer service, and this
said By United States officers OF the regular army There
fore To that the reason for our remaining "a Our pre-.
sent former position was because 6enera Taylor had
confidence their officers bareaced falSehood
that but Who prefers lie before telling the
truth could perpetrate.
Indeed General Taylor knew about the Indi.
Brigade than ho did of the New York that he
never had heard Of On the contrary the lndnna
Brigade have had positive they shall be
actively engaged and that shall be moved IN order
the Of operations Ii Is true that nearly
all the volunteer regiments have elected officers ho
in any battles yet all u them capable OF
learning, and have by dgeBt application already shown
themselves capable Of doing effective service
ysgular regiment in the service. If the editor had
waited until the of the battle Monterey, he wou:
have been satisfied that The volunteer "ceIs were All,
every one both be trusted and relied
than regulars, stOTming batteries and marching TO
the cannnn's mouth. The aud unmauiy attack
upon Col j. IL Lane relative TO his commands are all
false and contemplate. may be that accidentally
he may have given wrong command, but II was not
from Ignorance Of the right and II the editor OF the
Banner So informed have doubt but that Il was
from disappointed wOuldbe Oioer, who Is stung
with the reflection that his fellow soldiers at home had
confidence enough in him To elect him 10 lead them
command them, IL may be some craven who has
played the old soldier and got himself discharged The
remarks of this editor have included of course, all the
officers Of the field in the third regiment, and they
equally foul and mean.
As il regards Col j. p Drake OF the first regiment:
such J. p. Drake is rarely to be found His
amiable department. and high minded, military bearing
has gained for him the love and of all his men,
aud indeed of the whole Brigade and indeed have the
FIRST hear any complaint Of any of the field officers
Of either of the regiments But to be understood
that political paIiiZans TO control the good or bad
opinion of the public relative To the officers who
conduct this IL that is their game, let it be
There ofthe political stamp in dogs gone
by, and suppose there ever will be.
Dees the editor suppose that none but West Point
cadets can command a regiment does he think that
must look alone to West Point 10 command our vol
unteers, Does the editor know that General Taylor
himself selfmade military man, together with Cen
eral Patterson and General Butler, neither OF whom ever
received any part Of their military education at West
Points And yet their military qualifications are not
doubted here They may be by the editor Of the Ban
ner! And now the assertion, that by the time
Col. Jas Lane leaves this campaign, better drill
officer can't be found the volunteer service And even
now, he is regarded among the most energetic and
skillfu acfitians Of any volunteer officer in Mexico
In regard TO our being moved on towards the scene Of
active operations Ii is true have not yet been moved
any higher than Matamoras and two companies up to
ReynOSO. recOilected that
Gen Tayors must be protected! hts supplies must
not be off and he has proper To place company
OF regulars Point Isabel part of company OF regulars
the mouth of the Rio Grande with Col Brakes regi-
three companies of regulars Matamoras together
with the third regiment of Ohio volunteers and regi
ment and u must be recollected that there large
of government funds in the paymasers depart.
heavy stock Of government stores, general de-
pot for the stores and this is be pro-
tsctsd against Ireachereus Mexican population Of at
least ten thousand Inhabitants surrounded by dense
settlement of Rancheros. This wise editor must also
Iecoect that Gen. Taylor has left Gen. Patterson behind
him at Camargo with least four thousand men, in
charge of post not half large Matamoras and
Ptace where there much danger To the health Of
the SOLDIER and much danger OF an attack from the
enemy where stationed for the present. and
can give the editor another why all the Indiana
Illinois, and Ohio troops have not been moved
Monterey Ii expected that before long, orders will he
given from the government tor Gen. Tayl to send
part of his army to Tampico and Vera Cruz. And an
other reason owing TO the uncertainty IN the nayi CATION
of the Rio Grande, supplies might not be got up high
rs Camargo In conclusion must say that the editor o
the Banner has either been grossly deceived by some
mean, lying, discontinued spirit he has been disposed
at heart To wilfuy do injustice TO the officers Of the In
dian" Brigade aud particularly to Col J IT, Lane. whom
IL is admitted by ALL is gallant and brave officer
carries sword in this any other campaign You shall
near from me If necessary TO defend gallant vol
uneer ofirer from the and dastardly attacks o
another lying follower of the camp from any othe
quarter Most respectfully yours,
w. A. GORMAN.
Sketches Ia, the CnTuD.