Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-05-13
skc.c,,cs ian tl,e Camp.
BY AN Ex-REPoKrER OF THE STATE SENTINEL.
No OI

No. 81.
On the 10Th Of March, all Of our forces that were
encamped at Aqua Nueva, returned to Buena Vista,
and there pitched our tents piece of ground
lec'eo oY uen. Wool. Owing To the tender mercy of
this Central, we had the pleasure Of resting our
weary bones upon n camping ground of rare conve-
nence III was on the left side of the San Louis road,
extending over beautiful strata of lime stone, nu-
merous gullIes, tbickes of thorns and a sufficient
number OF loose rock to supply army of 5000
with pillows, chairs. &c. So long as we are thus
highly favored, cannot complain that the suldier
has no place to lay his head, for we have peniy IF
rocks to sleep on, and TO great joy we less than
a mile from water. 1 shall not go on to enumerafe
the unsurpassed advantages Of our encampmenf,
because II is necessary for it to enable him
TO properly appreciate it. Gen. Wools quarters are
but short distance from the right wing ON grassy
rolling piece of ground. As have only once set nv
foot upon this favored spot shall not attempt to de-
scribe 1t but am inclined to believe that it comes
nearer resembling the garden of Eden than our quar-
tiers. However, should there be any debate ON this
matter of opinion, | shall submit the whole question
to N. I. Willis, who, being better acquainted with
the'old 'rorld than ne'c will make no other than
just comparison.
Gen. Wool's lifeguards are very fine looking Young
men, and from the fact that they have always pro-
teced The old hero from all HARM except the yelling
OF the volunteers, suppose that there is no question
OF their bravery. had Hoped that the boys would
stop yelling for the sake of keeping the General in
good humor, but when heard that Gen Marshall
liked to hear the boys yell felt sensible of the diff
Guilty soldiers had in pleasing all. Gen. Taylor has
not defined has position the subject of yelling and
as he has gone back to Monterey it might be consid-
cred imporic by some to spring this question on him
but rather leave 1t open for the decision of General
Scott.
We received mail on tine Doth, and although it
was only the second mail we had received since the
II a rha h.,
taken some of letters and on the day of the bat
tie several letters found in the pockets of some
oil tie Lancers, and by this means the persons TO
whom they were directed obtained them.
Gen. Lamar, and several Texans, arrived at Sal
tio on the 23d.
| never felt sensible of the fortunes of war mill
within the last month. 1t is enough that the gal
liant volunteers must peril their lives for their coun-
y-lt Is not enough for them die upon the battle
field, or to be wounded, taken from the field in dis
abed condition. some to bleed to DEATH as the wagon
IN passing over the rocky hills jars their mangled
bodies, while others are s, fortunate recover
from their wounds. Ii is not enough satisfy the
requirements of slanderers for the common soldiers
to do their duty, to rally long left in the
held No, the slanderer must step init matters not
whether he was on the field or if on the field whe-
Their he was on hill or in a ravine-whether he was
IN or ont of the range of the enemys shot-whether
on his horse doing his duty, the ground lodging
ouhS's, VI NHetiieF SFedC UUy lay between him
and the enemy-he must criticse the acts of all
save himself, and scrupe not to SANDER the living
and the dead and if necessary subserve a certain
purpose, he must stlgmatize whole regiment with
dlsgraceful conduct because few failed to do their
duty. Those who have endeavored to criminate the
I'd regiment of Indiana, do them great injustice, and
are visiting the nquites of few upon the heads of
many. regard not their accusations. Truth will
sooner or later prevail, and the time will come when
men who are now silent will speak. There were wit
nesses there that never will let the innocent suffer-
Maj Dix and Maj. Coffee, both paymasters, were on
the field, and as much exposed as those who had ac-
tive commands, and they certainly know whether the
I'd regiment deserves universal censure, whether
they rallied after losing their position, met the enemy
and fought until the day was ours.
But IT matters not whether Justice or injustice is
done the volunteers those who fought until the action
was over, have the proud consolation of knowing that
they have done their duty-and if any should do them
injustice, they should reflect that too frequently
censured for the best of their le and that
clear conscience is better than any fatery man can
bestow. When think of our victory at Buena Wis
ia, am proud of being American citizen, but no
less proud IL being citizen of Indiana after being
witness that very large majority of the Indian
ans fought CALAMITY, did the Kentuckans Illinois
ans, MssssiPpians, and the artillery of the regular
service.
BUENA VISTA, Mexico, March 90 1S47.