The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-06-11
ohoraee last evening and will leave for Vera crnz this


evening
The steamers Vixen, scorpion, Mississippi McLans
and the soops Decatur. John Adams, Albany and Ger
msntown and frigate Raritan assembled here.
THE BATTLE OF BUENA vIsrA--oKNrRAL LANES
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT;
From the New Orleans Picayuns, June 81
The following report by Brig Gen Lane supplement-
airy to his first official report Of the operations
g.de in the battle of Buens Vista He thought call
his first report made and by the various
made in the papers injurious the character Indiana
Of the record of the great the asa February
comply with the request made upon us and cheerfuly
give the report an insertion in our columns.
BuEsA vIsrA May, lsa7
From the comments Of the press the letters
that have been written and published the many false
and ridiculous statements uttered by different
ut sundry places. concerning the battle place
IN OF tho a ana
and circulated In references the Indiana Brigade in
connection WITH that memorable day feel myself con
the public succinct account Of facts which may
and that the public mind may be disabused of studied
and systematic attempt at misrepresentation and detac
tion.
The disposition of the troopa have been con-
fded to General Wool and they posted in the fol-
lowing order viz The I'd Regiment Of Indiana vol
unteers, commanded by Colonel BOwes, with three
pieces of artillery under Captain O'Bren posted
on the extreme left The Sd regiment Of Indiana vol
unteers, commanded by Colonel Lane, occupied
height in the Of WashiDgtons battery The list ILL.,
nois regiment commanded by Colonel Hardin,
stationed on high hill near and short distance to the
left and front of the battery The I'd Kentucky
Volunteers under Col McKee, on the Odd posted on
the right Of deep ravne at distance of half mile
the right of the battery but the morning Of the
23d ordered to the ravne and took place
Col Hardin and to his left The I'd Regiment H.
linos Volunteers under Col Bisse posted further
to the left, and in the and to the right dis
of about half mile from where the Cd Indiana
Regiment was placed which regiment before
marked occupied the left the field near the
base Of tho mountain The four rifle companies my
command under Maj. Gorman were at early dawn of
day ordered to up of the mountain to en-
gage the enemy some three thousand strong who
endeavorng to cross the points OF the mountain and to
check their advance II possible Three rifle companies
Of the I'd Illinois Regiment three companies of Col Mar
shalls mounted regiment were dsmounted and sent up
tho mountain to the assistance of Major German whs
had for time been holy engaged with the
my The contest tho mountain brow ragged with fury
for the space Of about three hours when informed
by Col Churchill that the enemy, in great force,
advancing under of deep ravne about four hun
dred yards in my front and to the right Immediately
put my small command in motion to meet to EN-. It
should b. borno in mind that my whole force was the
eight battalion companies Of the I'd Indiana Regim cnt
aud Capt OBrien's battery Of three guns-n all about
four hundred men. On arriving at narrow ridge be-
infantry from four to six thousand strong supported by
body of lancers The infantry coming up out Of
the ravne my left and forming in beautiful order
across the ridge, leaving the lancers In the ravine
Immediately directed Capt OBrien to halt his battery
when the first company up with and the left of
the battery and formed forward into line of bat
tie. rode In front Of the column, and continued in
front the companies forming into line, and
was much delighted to sec the officers and
depicted In every countenance BY the time half the
companies were in line and while yet in front, the
Mexicans opened their fire from their entire line In
moment the left companies in line. passed to the
rear and the tire returned with promptness and
good effect Thus commenced the battle the plain
Buena Vista. The distance between the enemy's line
and my own was about hundred and twenty yards
About the time the action commenced, the enemy
opened tremendous fire from their battery Of three
heavy guns posted to my left and little to the rear,
which nearly enaded my line In this manner the bat
tie continued TO rage for nearly minutes the
seVe idre he of he
Mexican infantry presenting one continued sheet OF
back several times, but their suecessiy. formations
the ridge enabled them at to force the
back to their position and keep them steady. then
formed the determination TO take position the
enemy with the hope Of routing and driving them from
that part Of the field aud for the purpose Of placing the
lines out of the range of the enemys guns which had
succeeded in getting the range to be doing
execution nearly every fire For that purpose my
aid direct Capt OBrien to advance his battery
fifty sixty yards to the front and to
assist in passing order to the line to advance the
same point lie went with the battery to It's advanced
position was at that moment the left of my line
Before aid returned to me was much surprised to
my line begin to give way the right and continu
ing to give way to the extreme left not knowing at that
time that Col Bowles had given order retreat; and
days after ths battle (and until after
had made my official report) before satisfied that
the regiment had retreated in obedience to an order
given by Col Bowles The order not obeyed until
il thrice repeated has since been proven in
court of inquiry appointed to inquire into the
the colonel It. Col Haddon and twelve other good wit
nave testified to his having twice thrice given
the order before the line broke unwilling they
to abandon their position. The I'D regiment occupied
important positont the key to that part the
feld-and were unsupported BY any other troops An
evidence Of their being In hot place that about
ninety of them killed and wounded before they
treated. They had stood firmly doing their duty az
well did veteran troops until they had discharged
twenty rounds of cartridges at the enemy killing
and wounding some three hundred of them and have
hesitation in saying that 1t had not been for that
unnecessary unauthorized and cowardly order to re-
treat they would not have efs their position hesitate
to express my belief that if my order to advance
had been carried out and have taken the advanced po
ston Intended that would have driven the enemy
from the ridge Although the retired in
fusion, the most Of them raled-say to the num-
Der of two hundred and 6fty-and they continued to
fight like veterans throughout the day. Lieut. Robin
son, (my aid de-camp) and Lieut.. Col Haddon, were
very active in rallyng the Major Cravens
dered proceed to the bring back such of
had gone in that direction, which was
promptly done. Capts Davis. Kimbal, McRae, Briggs
Lieut. Spicey, 0hen in command OF his company in
sequence OF the fall Of the gallant and knder
Adj Shanks aud Lieuts oggat. Burwel Lewis Forster
Bennehel. Kunkle Londermk, Roach Rice and Zenor
tive in rally their Capt Sanderson and Its Davis
Hogan and and several other officers wounded
and had leave the field also Capt Dennis who
fought like hero with gun in hand, found himself
BILE from fatigue and indspostion to remain longer
the field. Paymaster Major Dix having arrived the
field at this moment was very active in assisting to rally
broken and scattered forces He seized the colors
from their bearer who unable to carry them longer
and handed them to Lieut.. Kunkle. who carried them
triumphantly drought the day. These coors now In
the possession of Capt sanderson, well ddled with
balls-one 24-pound shot, 6-pound shot, and many
musket balls passed through them while they in
the hands OF this victorious young officer and they
could at all times be high above the heads Of the
Indiana brigade moving to and fro where it
sary to meet and repulse the enemy. Lieut. Peck now
captan) OF the rifle battalion, who had been compelled
TO retire from the mountain to the plain after the fall
of his gallant old Capt Walker, succeeded In raying
about twenty men, and joining the I'd indiana regiment
continued TO fight calamity throughout the day The
severe loss in killed and wounded which the ID nd
regiment sustained in the action will convey some idea
Of the danger they faced and the enacity with which
they struggled lo7 of their number were killed and
wounded.
At or about The time Of the retreat Of my small CON-
mand under that lfted order, the raemen were com.
PEELED by superior numbers abandon their position on
the mountain side and retreat to the plain below The
cavalry. which had been posted some distance in
my rear, and out Of range Of the enemys battery
to act circumstances might require either to adj
vance upon the enemy and cut them of In case they
should retreat or to succor my small force IL they
should be compelled to fall back instead OF aordipy
me the least assistance left their position without
ceivng one bre from the enemy and made preciptate
sued by alage body OF lancera who ced In emitting