Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-06-24
Volume VI.%::.::.:...%.Number 81

ed wholly undeended and the enemy numbering several
thousands pouring down from mountain and nom
FROM good der along the foot Of the
mountain in Of The position first occupied by
oces Soon after the retreat Of the 3D. and while was
raiyng them, the Mississippi Regiment arrived field
and in most gallant engaged the enemy but
compelled by vastly superior numbers fall back At this
time, the Sd Indiana Regiment under Colonel Lane was
ordered into the fight and joined with he ID Indiana
Mississippi Regiments composed force one fifth
large the enrmy but sufficient TO engage them
cess captain sherman, with one gun Of his battery at this
time qned the whole moved towards The foot Of the
mountain and engaged The enemy hee the ARTILLERY proved
very effective.
closely pursued and artillery continuing waste them
away with its destructive fire. and they being separated from
the enemy's main foice, would in short time have been
compelled to surrender, when white flag
field, and we ordered TO firing; did so, but
The Mexcans continued TO fire from their battery thus
ering the retreat Of their forces This flag the
left wing om Gen. Taylor, consequence Of
having sent 10 him flag which the General naturally sup
posed conveyed propositions either Of truce surrender
hence the white flag part OF the battlefield This
nag proved to be nothing than satsgem the Mex
lean General 10 excaie that poon Of his troops which be
interchange Of flags this poou Of his army completely
within power moved of aud made good retro
where the enemy's main force posted We now moved
some distance aud took position TO meet large body of
iaucers supported by about thousand infany. TIE
Mississippi aud portion Of the ID Ind were formed acfos
BARROW ridge between two deep ravines supported by
gnn fom Capt Shermans battery add the other part
I'd Indiana, and all Of the 80 Indiana sent
brow Of of the and parallel the same line
Oelng nearly the shape OF L. aud faced by the
rank the charge made the left flank Of the Sd nd-
ana, now right they faced This charge il due
The enemy say, made most CALAMITY and bcau
fully received by forces, delivering fire they
within shoIt distance proved destructive TO
the enemy telling many horse aud his rider aking their
columns and putting them TO fight, leaving many their
companions dead the felt ssui
pulse OF the enemy, the field the left completely
cleared Of the enemys forces aud hearing sharp and con-
nued firing right and the left Of Washing,
battery, put command in motion double. quick time
Tor the purpose OF taking part in the conflict This fire
proved 10 he action between Me xican
anTy and the LIST and % Illinois and ID Kentuck
which Santa Anpa last aud great effort hese forces
had been epued By lining NUMBER and were re-
treating in confusion, hoii pursued by thousands of Next
cans who were loading aud firing jump
when command consisting Of the "a and 81 Indiana
Mississippi regiments, aTfyed within musket shot, which
we did by Coming up suddenly out Of deep rayihe and
opened destructive fire upon them. Finding themselves
thus suddenly attacked from unexpected quar- they quit
the pursuit, formed promptly into line aud returned fire
with considerable eff they were
retreat under well directed fe the position they had
occupied IN the morning. .-..se
This the last firing between the infantry of the oppo
sing forces that memorable day. although
nued to play at intervals until dark.
The battle the plain opened has been shown
by the I'd Indiana regiment and the last muske,ry fired,
fired by the % and Sd Indiana, and Mississippi regiments
1t should also be stated that forces had under
since the morning Of the 22d and remained upon the
field Of battle till the morning Of The oath. have here
brief and faithful operations Of the
Indiana brigade the 23i Of February came uer my
observations and there not from the
with them. 80
Capt OBrien who commanded the battery of light arl-
ery posted my hight al the of the battle
as we'll as Capt Sherman, who acted with part OF the
day. deserving particular praise for their galantry and
good conduct moving and dchargng their pieces with
the GOODNESS aud precision Of day of ordinary parade
The intrepid and honorable conduct Of I'd KY Isl
and ID Illinois volunteers could have exceeded
commentator Of mine could add lustre glory
should and will be theirs There is enough Of honor and
glory for each who did his duty Bucna Vista and
he must be an uncharabe and selfish American citizen
who would knowingly wish 10 defract from portion Of
that glorious little army with desire augment that o.
any corps at the expense of another.
The many gallant officers and who did their duty
that day should not suffer by invidiuus comparison.
Ii have neglected particuarize conduct OF
Arkansas and Kentucky cavalry 10 define their position
the field il is not because deemed them Of little moment
importance for the from the time Of their
retreat, had opportunity Of seeing anything OF their
movements They participated in The rancho hgh. where
the gallant Yell nobly fell at the head Of his column. He
with the noble souls who fell that day shoulineve be
forgotten The ambition of distinction should prompt
10 deace any portion Of the tablet of fame which opI
country will honor of the actors that battle
and the regular and volunteer should be proud of
one of the greatest epochs in our countxs history.
Ii is due TO the commanders OF the different batteries OF
light artillery to state, that their eff ITS most powerful
and eiceat towards gaining the almost unparalleled victory
OF Buena Vista Ready at all times the enemy
feafu Odds their wasted them away with their fire in
handsome Manner compelling them 10 retreat whenever
coming within their range.
h. Generals Taylor and Wool present commanders
the former comma0dern-Ch They exposed 10
dangers almost every instant of the day. watching
of the enemy and ordering and pong of forces
in the best aud rcpe them. BY their COOL
ness and courage in gaining This victory they have lau
res and fame that SHALL endure long traces of Amer
can history shall exist
Respectfully your obi serv'
JQSEpH LANE, Brig. General
Commanding Indiana Brigade.