Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-06-10

n,
that Brig Gen. Lane conducted himself brave aud
gallant officer and that attaches him for the
retreat 81 The 81 Regiment Indiana Volunteers
II. The proceedings Of the Court in the above case
have been duly submitted TO aud examined by the Com
handing General, and are by hIm duly approved.
III The :Gouft Of Inquiry of which Brig Gen. Thos
Marshall IS President, is hereby dissolved
BY command Of Brig Gen. Wool
IRWIN MCDOWELL, A. A. G.
(c) FACTS AND OPINION OF THE COURT OF
INQUIRY CONVENED TO INVESTIGATE THE
| CONDUCT OF COL. BOWLES.
HAN QuARrERs CAMP AT BUESA YTsrA,
April %. ls47. s -
ORDERS , l. A Court Of Inquiry of which Col Bis
No. ISIS SELL 81 Illinois Volunteers, is PIesident con-
yened this camp the 18th inst pursuant to orders
No 267 series being Instituted at the request of
Col. W. A. BOwes TO inquire into matters concerning
HIMSELF referred the following communication, VIZ
BUKSA VisrA Mexico, March n, Js47.
General. Wool: =
SIR Charges and specifications having been preferred
against by Gen Joseph Lane which the Cennand-
ing General declined ordering Court Martial, but az tie
same time authorized Court Of Inquiry in my behalf il
desired
In view Of all the circumstances and IN justice to my.
self would respectfully ask of yed that ehst of H.
quiry may be had to investigate my conduct in the battle
of the 23J February, 1917 between the forces of General
Taylor aud Gen Santa Auna. in Mexico TO assemble at
such time and place you may deem proper
am. sir, with esteem, your obt serv't,
g w. A. B0WLES.
The charges and specifications referred in the above
Communication are as follows:
ckhage Id.-Iuabiliiy aud incOmPeency to discharge
the duties Of Colonel.
this that Col Bowles is igno-
of The tactics which used in the army in ba.ta
ion and company drill and exercise.
2din this that the said Colonel Bowles ignorant OF
4 the tactics in use in brigade drill AMI exercise.
3l-In this, that the said Col Bowles is ignorant of
the movements necessary and repeI charge of
the enemy shown the night of the 22d # February
1s47, in tho battle field Of Buena Vista, Mexico:
/ Charge I'd Violation of the SD article of
Spectfcahons1 stIn this, that in the battle Of the
23l February, ls47, at Buens Vista, Mexico, the said
Col Bowes, commandsn Of the said regiment, did mis-
ebehave himself before the enemy by then and there giving
TO the said regiment while engaged with aud under the
FIRE Of the enemy the following unnecessary ORDER viz
cense firing and retreat" In consequences Of which
der the said regiment did and thrown into great
confusion of whom could be rallied again during
the battle.
i 2l-In tts that in the battle Of the 23d February
last at Buens Vista. Mexico wifhthe Mexican army be
the said Col Bowles, commandment of the said regiment
while in action and while battery of three guns were
under the command of Brig. Gen. Lane, Of the Sd Bril-
gade all under the enemys fire, lid. without authority
give the said regiment The following unnecessary and
nnoicer-lke ORDER twice repeated, cease firing and
treat in consequence of which said order the said eg
ment did most disoIdery retreat from the
senemy.
&c 3d-In this that the said Col BowIes commandant
the said regiment on the said 2Sl of February. while in
the battle after giving and repeating the said order
in the LIST and ID specifications last above named, did
shamefuly away from the enemy and abandon his
post in the presence of the enemy which post he had
been commanded by his superior officer to maintain and
defend
4th-In this that the said Col Bowles after giving
the order specified in the LIST aRd I'd specifications under
this charge did then and there abandon his position and
regiment aud away from the enemy and hide himself
both from his regiment and from the enemy, and take
shelter alone in ravine near the scene of action
5lh-In this that the said Col. Bowles, commandant Of
the said regiment, while commanding the same in thai
battle and while under the fire of the enemy dismouned
from his horse in the of his regiment and took shelter
from the enemys fire behind his and behind his own
horse.
6th-In this that the said Col. Bowes, while com
mandant of that regiment (under Brig. Gen. Lane) du
ring the battle aforesaid on the said 23d of February
spoke wor is to that regiment which induced it to retreat
from the enemy while under their fire. follows, viz
"Ceqse firing. cease firing and retreat"
7h-In this, that the day aforesaid nd during that
battle, and while engaged with the enemy the said Col
Bowles gave order in the last specification mentioned
with the intention of inducing that regiment to abandon
the position they then occupied, and which they had re
ceived orders from superior officer maintain and de-
end. All of which contrary TO law, and tended no
only the manifest injury of the public service, but tc
: bring reprOach upon American arms
(sgned) JOSEPH LANE, Brig. Gen.
The Court after diligently and faithfully inqurng int
the before it, report, from the evidence given, the
following the facts of the case and its opinion thereon
Statement of Facts--ia reference to the first charge
il Appeals from the evidence that Col. Bowle is gnoran
the company, battalion and brigade drills and that thu
manenve of the evening of the 22d February indicated
the 3D. spec fcaon of that charge, indicative of
ignorance of the battalion drill
Ia reatono the % charge, appears from the evidence
before the Court that Col Bowles gave the order .ceas
firing and retreat, that Gen. Lane present, AID tina
he had no authority from Gen. Lane 10 give such oder
1t also appears that Col Bowes rereated after having
given the aforesaid command but that he did shame
fully away from The enemy, nor did he hide hlmsel
: in any ravine from the enemy or from his regiment
Ii appears, toeytlat Col Bowles dismouned from hi
horse in rear Of his Regiments but there evidence
show that he did protect himself from The enemy
e The Court finds that the fact of Col Bowes havin,
gwen the order above mentioned, did induce the regi
4 ment torereat in disorder.
e. Col Bowes gave the order with the intention of max
ing the regiment leave its poston but the Court does
find that lie had been ordered particularly 10 maintain ant
defend it.
Opinion-Nith reference to the first CHARGE the Cour
: is of opinion that Col Bowles ignorant of the due
of Colonel, but would remark that Illhea, and absence
account of iealth, have in some degree prevented
him from filling himself Tor the duties OF that office.
Z The Court is of opinion that at the time Col Bowie
gave tie order relreat, he under the impression
that the artillery had rereaed, when in fact the batter
at that time had gone advanced position under tn
oder Of Gen. Lane, which orders had not been commu
nicated to Col. Bowles
And in conclusions the Court find that throughout tn
engagement, and through the whole day, COL Bowie
evinced of personal courage bavery but tina
q he did manifest a Of capacity and judgment
d commander.
o H. The proceedings of the Court in the above cas-
1t have been duly submitted to the Commanding General
Z who approves the same.
L III The Court of Inquiry of which Colonel Bissel
I'd III nois Vols. is President, is hereby dissolved
D, by command of Brig Gen Wool.
e IRWIN MCDOWELL, A. A. q.
In tue matter Of the charges against the Rev. MI
81 for admitting Tohn N Ma fit TO membe