Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-07-29

EVANSVILLE ISD. July 10TH 1SI7
GENTLEMEN Your letter Of the 18th ult, in reference
to communication in the Louisville Journal of the 18th
of June, signed a. Marshall, late Col Ky. Cavalry is
before Without pretending what
my inclination would prompt, II is due to you say
that your opinions in reference the communication in
question entitled to the deepest consideration.
entered the service of my country with the strongest
desire do my duty her, my command and myself,
and although in campaign arduous the that
has Just terminated, II hardly TO be expected that
could so conduct myself in all things entirely avoid
censure, yet you gentlemen that have hon
esy endeavOred TO do my whole duty and award all
under my command their just and appropriate due. Ii
must be well known to all who have read my Supple
menary report, that object in making it place
before the country in authentic form, the true reason
of the retreat of of the Regiments OF my command
in the battle of Buena VISTA and disparage the
services nure the characters of others Nothing for
instance, could have been further from my intention than
the slightest shade of upon the memory
of Col Yell, an officer with whom personally ac-
quanted aud for whose character gentleman and
officer of the highest honor and bravery could
entertain higher regard than myself-an officer who,
proud say displayed in battle degree of gallanty
unsIr passed by any other on that battle field Such
repeat object but vndcae the conduct of
the second Regiment Of Indiana Volunteers and
its character from unmered censure and disgrace
Thus done and my object accomplished. In speak
ing Of my retreat of the Cavalry stated the simple fact
a fact which Col Marshall with all his effronery, cannot
denv with truth.
/ The candid and impartial reader will readily observe
that Col. Marshall mscOnSrues language order
obtain pretex for his humanity attack upon me; for
pIcty stated in the report question, that the dsposi
ton OF the troops cOnfded TO Gen Wool, did not
that posted them, is such the import of my
language Neither did state which retreated first, the
Cavalry or the 2nd Indiana Regiment To enter into
newspaper warfare with individual who selects such
weapons with, would be unpleasant well as
Improbable undertaking. therefore coincide with you
in opnion that "here is nothing in Col Marshas com
muncaon which can justify in entering into angry
controversy with him "a this time and shall leave II
to 'tha Obvious destiny which time and truth
sign to such attempts on the reputation of others"
cannot however dismiss the subject without saying
word IN relation TO my movements and contemplated
movements on the field Of battle ordered by Gen
, Wool to meet the enemy with my command and hold
HIM IN check met hun aud held him IN check tor
twenty-five minutes, and have hesitation in saving
that il we had taken the advanced position about
occupying aud which only prevented by the unfor
tunate order of Col Bowies retreat the battle would
in few minutes have been ended and triumphant vie
tory achieved by Such the opinion oil
that distinguished military commander Gen. Wool, and
such substantially the opinion of the Mexican Gen
era who commanded that division of the Mexican army
with which the second Regiment of Indiana Volunteers
engaged the the took place under the
illfated order alluded
r In his report of the battle he SAYS: At dawn we COM
menced movements, about 5000 infantry and foul
pieces moved 10 the right aud A. NJ, heavy fire
opened, the cavalry charged the tme mucl
/ havoc was made among the enemy aud The position car
- ried by force Of We also lost "A large number
n aud being driven, and if the enemy haC
. stood firm few moments longer charged, we would
n probably have been defeated"
. This extract from his report translated for the o
Gen Wool, fully portrays the situation which discover
ed the Mexican army be in when determined to ad
"a and f possible drive from the field have sale
that Gen Wool of the opinion that the battle would
have been speedily terminated had the second Regimen
stood firm and evidence of il will give you Gen
1 Woos language to Col. Bowles after the finding of thu
n Court Of Enquiry He said sCol. Bowles your order Il
retreat has dsgaced you, Regiment and your State
had you but remained minute and permitted tn
% Regiment 10 have taken advanced position with thu
Battery, and carried the intentions OF Gen Lane,
would have done of the brilliant dom
a on any battle field" These words were spoken TO Col
= BOwes in the presence Of Col Curtis, Bid Ohio Mao
Washington, Light Artillery, and myself Again Ill
4 order marked 205, dated May 23d l647, received b.
me on the day previous to my leaving Buena Vista witt
command the commanding General holds the follow
- ing language reference myself individually. eth
f General regrets deeply that he has lose the valuable
"a services OF Brig. Gen Lane whose integrity, zeal AM
close attention all the requirements of the service
have been much aid hun in the discharge Of his du
Il ties and whose gallant conduct in the field has gained 70
n him the and confidence Of every one" Thes
pr high testimonials, Gentlemen. favor of my movement
le and intended movement and of my general conduct
in battle and otherwise forever put flight the
lie JUST uncalled for, and bera criticisms of Col. Mar
of shall. any else.
o. With high regard, have the honor to be,
Id Gentlemen your friend and Fellow Citizen.
To JOSEPH LANE, Brig. Gen.
Id ~ Rowey. Jas. Lockhart, ID. s. Lane Jas G. Jones
IN John Mitchell, and Others
it, "