Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-06-17
THE INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

We copy the following Letter from the Com
manding Officer of the Third Indiana Regiment as
forming part of the history of the battle of Buena
VISTA 1t is addressed to the New Orleans Delta
CAMP BUENA VISTA, April 10, 1S47.
II is an error that the Indiana brigade, as bi-
gade. was in the fight. The LIST regiment was on
the kiO Grande, the I'd on the extreme left of the
line OF battle, and the sd ON the extreme right
further separated than any two regiments upon the
| field. suppose your informant was led into error
because Brig. Gen. LANE was with the I'd regi-
ment. 1t is an error that my regiment ever hest
ated for single instant. and it has the signal mer
1t of being one, if not the only one in the action
that did not retreat. :
Our position was in the road, by which alone the
artillery OF the enemy could be brought forward,
and only exposed to artillery fire until The Cd Indi
ana, Kentucky, Illinois, and Mississippi troops had
been successfully driven back by the overpowering
force OF the enemy. The enemy having been
twice 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's regiment and the 2nd
lndianans, which had been rallied. This force ad-
vanced upon the infantry and lancers and keptupa
brisk fire until it was ordered to by General
Taylor II was that the lancers made the
charge alluded TO, and for the repulse of which
the credit is given TO the Missssippans. This
charge was made in column upon the extreme right
vi the "a lIuldildllS anu NllSSlSSlpp-
ans being left. They were permitted to
approach within twenty-five steps of The line be-
fore | gave the command to fire; they re-
pulsed, and fled under cover Of their battery, and
their infantry dispersed among the mountains. We
now moved to the vicinity Of O'Bnen's battery,
and when we arrived there the Kentucky and lill-
nos troops, overpowered by numbers, retreat
ing, and the enemy pressing holly upon them and
the battery, which was In imminent danger OF be-
ing captured. We opened a fire upon them, and
they retreated in the greatest disorder. This last
blow terminated the batlle, and, instead of leaving
the battlefield, stated, we (tbe I'D lndianians)
bivouacked in the most adve1ced position held by
our troops in the morning, and the enemy drew OIL
As troops never fought better than the sd lndl-
anians their steadness and GOODNESS is proverbi-
al. Gas you will see by the official report l am as
tonished that such calumnes should be fabricated
against it, We were brought into action when the
day seemed extremely critical, and were victorious
in every engagement, and, in my opinion, are en
tied TO the credit OF having twice saved the for
tunes Of the day. have not mentioned the retreat
change of position OF other regiments invdously,
but as a proof that the fortunes OF the day, in
eminent degree, rested upon and was sustained by
my regiment. So much for the Sd regiment OF In
diana volunteers.
The I'd Indiana regiment opened the "ball" on
the 23d, and undertake 10 say they deserve credit
for Maintaining thair first position as long as they
did they We're the extreme left next the noun
tain. They stood firm and steady as veterans, and
exchanged twenty-one rounds with vastly supe-
rior force in their front with their entire line, from
left to right, raked by deadly fire Of grape and
canister, from "a -pounder and two los; with
their right flank threatened, and their exposed
from force tbet contcndng with the rhemen
upon the mountain. They did not retreat untk
they acre ordered to do so by their commander,
10 In evidence before court of inquiry now sitting.
The only possible charge which be made in
truth against the ID lndanians is that they did not
rally as soon as they should but the fault is not
with them, but with the commander, who designa-
ted no force point for them to rally upon.
IL would be criminal in to permit our brave
soldiers. who have done so much to sustain their
counry's honor. to sleep under the gross injustice
which your article does them, and respectfully
quest that you will give this note place in your
paper Very respectfully,
j. ii. LANE.
Col Cond'g Sd Reg Indiana Vol