Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1847-05-26
1890 From the NJ. o. DcLt0..
THE INDIANA VOLUNTEERS AT
RUENA VISIT i.

WIN great piedSure we give Pldce w
the following communication fruni Col.
q Lane of the 81 Regiment Indiana Volun-
teers. in reputation of the charges that
have been circulated in relation TO the
conduct of the Indianians at the battle at
Buena Vista. Nothing could afford us
more satisfaction than 10 be able. to put
forever a, rest the impulatious which have
been freely cast upon the bearing Of these
volunteers OH this trying occasion.-No
paper perhaps i'll this country has from
the very commencement of his war more
zealously defended the volunteers from
attack, or recorded their exploits with
more pride aud pleasure than The "Della." :"
And if any reflections have been hereto.
fore made in our columns upon the cou-
duet Of the Indiauians, they have been
founded upon statements furnished US by
officers who participated in the battle, and
whose position aud reputation gave US
every assurance Of the accuracy of their
statements. Col, Lane, noticing the er.
rors which have been in circulation in re-
latiou to the Indinua Volunteers, says:
CAmr BuESA VISTA, April 10.
Eds. Delta
II is an error that the Indiana Brigade, as
a brigade, was in the fight. The lst
Reg't. was OH the Rio Graude, the 81 Oh
the extreme left of tie line of battle. and
the 81 on the extreme rishl-further sep
araled Than any two regiments upon the
field. suppose your informant was led
into error because Brig. Gen. Lane was
with the "a Regiment. Itis an error that
nv regiment ever hesitated for single
instant, and il has the signal merit Of being
ore. if not the only one in The uclion, that
did not retreat.
Our position was in the road, by which
alone the artillery Of the enemy could be
brought forward, aud only exposed to ar
,illery fire until The 81 Indiana. Kentucky,
Illinois. and Mississippi troops had been
successfully driven back 5y The overpow-
ering force of the enemy. The enemy
having beeu repulsed in our front, and
having completely turned our left flank and
taken position next the mountain, we
were ordered there, and formed junction
with Col. Davis regiment and tho 81
Indiauians, which had been ralial, this
force advanced upon the infantry and Ian i
GERS aud KEEP, up brisk fire until il was
ordered TO cease by Gen. Taylor. 1t was
now that The lancers made the charge
alluded TO, aud for tie repulse Of which
the credit is given TO the Mississippians.-
This charge was made in column upon
the extreme right of my resim ent; the Cd
Iudianians aud Mississippians being on
our left. They were permitted to ap.
proach~within twenty FIVE steps of the
line before I gave the command to fire;
they were repulsed, and fed under cover
Of heir hallery aud ,heirinfanlry dispersed
among the mountains.-W now moved
to the yicinilgof o'Brien's battery. and
when we arrived there the Kentcky aud
Illinois troops overpowcred by numbers,
were retrealing and the enemy pressing
hotly upon them and The battery, which
was in imminent danger Of being captured.
We opened a Ere upon tnem anu IIey
retreaied d;sin$thea greatest disorder. This
Iast blow terminated the battle, and instead
ofleaviug the battle field, as stated. we
(,he 81 Indianians) biyouacked in the
most advanced position held by our troops
in the MOI ming. and the enemy drew OF.
AS troops never fought better than the
Sd Indianians; as their steadlness and
cooIuess il proverbial-as you will see by
the official report-l am aslonlshed that
such calumnies should be fabricated against
il. We were brought into the action when
the day seemed extremely critical, aud
were victorious in every engagement, and
in nv opinion, are entitled to the credit Of
having twice saved the fortunes Of The
day. l have not mentioned the retreat or
change Of position OF other reg lnents IN
vidiousIy, but as proof that the fortunes
of the day in an eminent degree rested
upon and was sustained by my regiment.
So much for The Sd Reg't Indiana Volun-
teers. go,
The I'd Indiana Res'l opened the "ball'
on the 23l. and undertake 10 say they
deserve credit for maintaining their first
position as long as they did-'hey were ou
the extreme left, next the mountain.
They stood firm and steady as veterans,
aud exchanged 81 rounds with vastly
superior force in their front--with their
entire line, from left to righ, by deadly
fire of grape aud canister from one "a.
pounLer aud two l6's-wilh their right
flank threatened, aud their rear exposed
from force thar was conlendlng with
the Riflemen upon The mounsain-they did
not retreat until they were ordered 10 DO
SO by their Communicates in, evidence
before court Of inquiry now sIllIns')
The only possible charge which can be
made in truth agaius, :he I'd Indianiaus is,
thai they did not rally as soon as they
should but the fault is not with them,
bu, with the commander who designated
no force or point fer hem to rally upon.
1t would he criminal i'll me to permit
our brave soldiers, who have done so much
TO sustain their counlry's honor, TO sleep
under the gross injustice which your ar''-
Gle does them, and respectfully request
,ha, you will give this note place III your
paper. Very respectfully,
]. H. LANE.
Col. Comm's 81 Reg't Ind. Vol.
II having been stated that Captain