The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-06-16
THE UNION.

enemy and cut them off, in case they should retreats
my small force if they should be compelled TO ia
back-instead OF aiordng the least assistance lei
their position without receiving fire from the enemy
and made ecptae retreat to the along the loot oil
the mountain pursued by a large body OF lancers VINO
succeeded In cutting off and Strengthening quite NUMBER
Of our forces-most of them remen Ii they had made
bold stand and allowed the rhemen and the I'd Indiana
regiment to rally on them, all together would have been
force sufficient to check the enemy before he had gained
considerable advantage After these successive anc
almost simultaneous retreats of the different forces the
left, it remained wholly undefended; and the enemy
numbering several thousand-came pouring down from
the mountain and from the 'front.' and formed in good or
der along the foot of the mountain IN the rear OF the po
siton at first occupied by forces. Soon after the
treat of the I'd and while was raying them, the Mis-
sssipp regiment arrived on the field, and in most gal
liant manner engaged the enemy but were compelled, by
vastly superior numbers, to fall back. AT this time the
Sd Indiana regiment, under Colonel Lane, ordered
into the fight, and joined with the I'd Indiana and Mis-
sssppi regiments, composed force about NTH as
large the enemy, but sufficient to engage them with
success Captain Sherman with gun of his battery
at this time joined and the whole moved towards Inc
foot of the mountain, and engaged the enemy Here the
artillery proved very effective This portion OF the en-
emys force became length closely pressed and our
artillery continuing to waste them away with ITS destruc-
tive fire, and they being separated from the enemys man
force, would in short time have been compelled to sur
render, when white flag on the field and we
were ordered to cease firing We did So but the Mexi-
continued to fire from their battery, thus covering
the of their forces This flag sent to the LETT
wing from General Taylor, in consequence OF Santa
Annals having sent TO him flag, which the General
naturally supposed conveyed propositions either OF truce
surrender Hence the white flag on our part OF the
battle-feldJ This flag proved TO be nothing more than
sratagem of the Mexican general to exrcae that por-
ton of his troops which he saw was absolutely IN our
power During the delay caused by this interchange OF
flags, this portion of his army so completely within our
power moved off, and made good their retreat to where
the enemys main force was posted we now moved some
distance, and took position TO meet large body OF ancers
supported by about 900 infantry The Mississippi and
portion of the I'd Indiana were formed across narrow
ridge between two deep supported by gun from
"a Sharmp ans
diana and all of the Sd Indiana regiment were on me
brow OF of the ravnes and parallel to the same the
line being nearly the shape of l., and faced by the
rank. The charge was made on the left flank OF
the Sd lndiana-now right, as they were faced ms
charge, it is due the enemy TO say was made most gal
any and beautifully received by forces delv-
erng our fire when they within short distance 1t
proved most destructive to the enemy, telling many
horse and his rider breaking their columns, putting
them flight, leaving many of their companions dead on
the field Soon after this successful repulse OF the enc
N.Y. the field on the left was completely cleared OF the
enemys forces and hearing sharp and continued fing
on our right and the left of Washingtons battery,
put my command in motion at double quick time, for the
purpose of taking part in the conflict This fire proved to
be action between the entire Mexican infantry
and the LIST and I'd Illinois, and I'd Kentucky volunteers
which was Santa Annals last and great effort. These
forces had been repsed by Overwhelming numbers and
retreatng in confusion hoty pursued by thousands
of Mexicans, who loading and firing on men Mt
every jump when my command, consisting OF the "a
and Sd Indiana and Mississippi regiments arrived with
in mqsket- shot which we did by coming up ; suddenly
them Finding themselves thus suddenly attacked from
an unexpected quarter they quit the pursuit, formed
promptly into line, and returned our re with consaera
BILE effect but they in turn compelled to retreat
under wedirected fire, to the position they had oc
cuped in the morning. -
This was the last firing between the infantry of the OPP
posing forces that memorable day, although the can
non continued TO play at intervals until dark;
The battle the plain opened, as has been shown
by the I'd Indiana regiments and the last muskery hred
were fired by the I'd and Sd Indiana and Mississippi reg
ments :
1t should also be stated that our forces had been under
since the morning of the 22d, and remained upon
the field of battle till the morning of the 2ith
| have here given brief and faithful account OF the
operations of the Indiana brigade on the 23d February as
minute, from the time the battle commenced until the
las, gun fired, that was not with them. 49,,
Capt OBren, who commanded the battery OF hight ar
tllery posted on my right the OF the
battle, well Capt. Sherman, who acted with us
part of the day. deserving OF particular praise for
their gallantry and good conduct moving and dischar
gng their pieces with all the GOODNESS and precision OF
day of ordinary parade.
The intrepid and honorable conduct OF the I'd Ken
lucky and list and I'd Illinois volunteers could not have
been exceeded, and commentator OF mine could add
ustre to the glory which should and will, be theirs
There is enough Of honor and glory for each man who
did his duty at Buena Vista And he be unchar
table and selfish American citizen who would. know
ngy, wish s detract from any portion OF that glorious
little army with desire 10 augment that OF any one
CORPS the expense of another The many gallant off,
and who did their duty that day. should not
suffer by invldious comparison.
If have neglected to parcuarize the conduct OF the
Arkansas and Kentucky cavalry define their position
on the field it is not because deemed them OF little mo-
ment Importance; but for the reason that from the
time of their retreat had opportunity Of seeing any
thing OF their movements They participated in the rancho
fight where the gallant Yell nobly fell at the head OF
his column he, with the noble souls who fell on that
day, should never be forgotten The ambition OF DIS
ncon should prompt to deface any portion OF
the tablet OF fame which country will erect to the
honor of the in that batte and the regular and
volunteer army should be proud of it, one of the great
est epochs in our countrys history.
1t is due the commanders of the different batteries of
light artillery to state thaoher efforts were most power,
full and efficient towards gaining the almost unparalleled
victory of Buena Vista. Ready at all times TO meet the
enemy at fearful Odds their guns wasted them away with
their fire in handsome manner compelling them to re-
treat whenever coming within their range.
Generals Taylor and Wool were present as command
ers (he former commander-in- chiefly They were ex
posed dangers almost every instant OF the day. watch
ing the movements of the enemy and ordering and dis
posing Of forces in the best manner to meet and repe
them By their GOODNESS and courage in gaining this VIC
tory they have aures and fame that shall endure
as long as traces of American history shall exist
Respectfully. your obedient servant,
JOSEPH LANE, Brig Gen.
The President en Anna.