Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-06-04
From the ". o. Della, May 12.
THE INDIANA VOLUNTEERS AT BUE-
MA VISTA,

| With great pleasure we give place 10 the fol-
lowing communication from Col. Lane, of the Sd
Regiment Indiana Volunteers, in rclutation ofthe
charges that have been circulated in relation to
The conduct of the lndianans at The battle OF
Buena Vista. Nothing could afford us more sa-
tis!acton than TO be able 10 put forever at rest
the impulations whi.h have been freely cast up
on the bearing Of these volunteers on this nyng
occasion:
CAMP BUENA VISTA, April 10, 1917.
| Eds. Della: 1t is an error that the
Indiana Brigade, as Il brigade, was in the fight.
The lst Regiment was on The Rio Grande the
Cd on the extreme left Of the line Of battle, and
the Sd on the extreme right-farher separated
than any Two regiments on the field. suppose
YOUR informant was led into error because Brig.
Gen. Lane was with the 2d Regiment. 1t is an
error that my regiment ever hesilated for a sin
gle instant, and it has the signal merit Of being
one fnot The only one in the action, that did moi
retreat
! Our position was in the road by which alone
the artillery of The enemy could be brought for
ward, and only exposed TO artillery fire until the
Cd Indiana, Kentucky. Illinois and Mississippi
troops had been successivey driven back by the
overpowerng force Of the enemy. The enemy
having been twice repulsed on our part, and hav.
ing completely turned our left flank and taken
position next the mountains, we were ordered
there, and formed junction with Col. Davis's
regiment and The Cd lndianians, which had been
rallied. This force advanced upon the infantry
and Iancers, and kept up brisk fire until it was
ordered to cease by Gen. Taylor.
1t was now that the ancers made the charge
alluded 10, and for the repulse Of which the cre-
dit is given TO the Mlssissippians. This charge
was made in the column upon the extreme right
of my regiment the Cd Indianans and Mississip-
plans being on our left. They were permitted
to approach within twenty-five steps of the line
before gave the command 10 fire; they were re-
pulsed, and fled under cover of their battery,
and their infantry dispersed among the noun
tans. t-
We now moved to the vicinity Of 0 Brien's
battery, and when we arrived there the Kentuc-
ky and Illinois troops, overpowered by numbers,
were retreating, and the enemy pressing hotly
upon them and the battery, which was in mm-
nent danger Of being captured. We opened a
fire upon them, and they retreated in the great
est disorder. This last blow decided the battle,
and instead Of leaving the battlefield, as stated
we Uhc Sd Indianians) bivouacked in the most
advanced position held by our troops in the
morning, and the enemy drew off.
As troops never fought better than the Sd In.
dianians, as their steadiness and GOODNESS is pro.
verbial-as you will see by the official report
am astonished that such calumnies shouldbe fab.
ricated against it. We were brought the ac.
ton when the day seemed extremely critical
and were victorious in every engagement, and
in my opinion, are entitled to the credit Of having
twice saved the fortunes ofth day. have moi
mentioned the retreat or change of position o
Other reglments invidiously, but as proof thai
the fortunes of the day in an eminent degree
rested upon and was sustained by my regiment
SO much for the Sd Regiment Indiana Volun.
teeu.