The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-08-11
COMMUNICATIONS.
To the Editor of the Union

To the Editor of the Union:
SIR: In The 18th number of the Daily Union, dated
July 90, ls47, long article, taker from the New Or
leans Delta headed deeply interesting narrative of the
capture, adventures, and sufierngs of Majors Gainess
and Boands party in Mexico" The rditor after sta
ting that five OF the young men Of the party had arrived
in New Orleans in the schooner Home, from 1ampico,
says
'In very gratifying interview with Mr. swgerone OF
these Young menwe have learned many interesting par, f
culars of the capture, sufiengs trials and adventures
Maj Gainess party To relate all the incidents so moo
esty and torciby detailed by this brace young 81 %
would swell the narrative quite beyond the copas " gus
paper" -
Modest indeed, must have been the whole party, 10
have SO readily, and tamey as well as sioaesy; sur
rendered themselves prisoners Of war without
or giving blow One would suppose they had modesuy
received and aentvely read, Senator Sofwh sPseen'
and had bavey amidst the shouts OF defiance ana hour-
sh oil trumpes so eoquenty detailed, come TO te very
modest conclusion that it better to reyel mol IN the
halls OF Montezuma, but as captves IN the prisons OF
the CITY of Mexico, than to commit murder by killing
few Mexicans We should have felt disposed TO have
sought for other excuses and given credit to the whole
story had not the narrator IN me excess q ms mouesy
introduced false and most unfounded caiamny against
the two Indiana regiments OF volunteers and the State
they represent -.
Speaking Of the battle of Buena VISTA the editor OF the
Delta makes this modest narrator say;
"On the next day, however, the spirits oil the Mexicans
were somewhat restored by the arrival OF the trophies OF
the battle Of Angostura the three le cannon Of Lieut.
O'rien and the colors of the Indiana regiments We're
brought into the city in uiumpha car ana Were received
| with great parade by the people,
This part of the narrative must have been both mod
ely" and very eloqucntly expressed to have made such
deep and lasting impression upon the very palouc anu
modest editor of the Delta However SO lar as ING coors
of the Indiana regiments concerned. we unhesating
" pronounce it most untonnded calumny, destitute OF
the shadow Of truth to sustain it. The I'd and 80 regl-
ments Of Indiana volunteers in the battle OF Buena
VISTA neither of which lost their coors flag There
fore none were captured fell into the hands OF the
Mexicans or could by possibility have been exhibited in
these ey are few ~ and hs story briefly told
The I'd regiment Under Col. Bowes on the morning OF
the 23d, Was placed far in advance OF every other corps
beyond all supporting distance, on the right OF the field;
and commenced the battle the plain, opposed to from
four to six thousand Mexican infantry and cavary IN
this position exposed in the language of General Taylor
and murderous oss-ire OF grape and canister from
Mexican battery on the left" In this situation the regi-
ment stood firm till they had fredwen three rounds and
not moved until the order OF Col Bowles had been
repeated the third time the SURPRISE then, is, not that
they should have reteated when ordered but that they
should have stood so long. The fault was not IN the
men, but in placing the regiment in so exposed position
without support and in the order @ retreat not desgna
ting point upon which to rally They did retreat and,
for a moment in disorder. Most OF them rallied and
fought like veterans few did not but went like many
others 10 the ranch In this retreat the color bearer be-
ing wounded fell, and with him the flag OF the regiment
Major Dix, of the paymasters department, coming up al
the moment recovered these colors and handed them to
Lieut. Runcle of the regiment who bore them most
calamity the balance of the day These colors were
brought home with the regiment, and are now in the
hands of Captain Sanderson, OF New Albany, Indiana
The coors of the third Indiana regiment, commanded
by Colonel j. H. Lane, from the firing the first to the last
gun in the ever-memorable battle of Buena Vista,
moment left the hands of their bearer, Lieut. Stewart
and in the possession Of Captain Sullivan. OF Mad
ison, Indiana.
We should not have noticed this story of the coors OF
these regiments making their appearance IN the city OF
Mexico, however unfounded and false, and in its chaac
ter pejudcal to their gallanry and the honor OF the
State, had stood alone and stopped with the Delta,
which has been made the medium through which have
been thrown broadcast upon the public hundred and
others equally and the additional credit stamped
upon it by being published in the Union" These re-
ports in their turn will be reviewed. corrected and their
authors exposed and accurate comparison drawn be-
tween the galantry and conduct of the volunteers of the
aiaha Regiments On the elds OF Blena vista and Of En-
carnacion. Yours respectfully,
AMOS LANE.
Washington, August 10, 1s47