Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-06-03
The Indiana volunteers at Bucnn vista

The New Orleans Delta publishes the following
communication from Col. Lane. Of the I'd regiment
Indiana Volunteers, in refuaton of the charges that
have been circulated in relation to the conduct of the
I Indianians the battle OF Buena Vista
CAMP BuENA VIsTA, April 10. 1s47.
Eds. Delta. = 49, 1t is an error
that the Indiana brigade, brigade, in the
fight The LIST regiment on the Rio Grande, the
I'd the left Of the line of BATTLE and the
3D. on the extreme rght-further separated than any
two regiments upon the field. Isuppose your inform
ant was led into error because Brigader General
Lane was with the I'd regiment. 1t is that
my regiment ever hesitated for single Instant and
it has the signal merit 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 I'd Indiana,
Kentucky. Illinois, and Mississippi troops had been
successfully driven back by the overpowering force
Of the enemy. The enemy having been twice re-
pulsed in our front, and having completely turned
our left flank and taken position the mountain,
we were ordered there, and formed junction with
Colonel Davis's regiment and the I'd Indianions,
which had been rallied This force advanced upon the
infantry and lancers, and kept up brisk fire until it
WIS ordered TO by General Taylor. 1t was
that the ancers made the charge alluded TO- and
for the repulse of which credit given TO the Msss-
sipPians. This charge made in column upon the
SAAcUC iiSut VI my fcSiuicbts uic III luuduidtls
and Mississippians being on our left They were
permitted to approach within twenty-f steps of the
| line before gave the command to fire; they were
repuscd, and fled under cover Of their battery, and
their infantry dispersed among the mountains. We
now moved to the vicinity of O'Bricns battery and
when we arrived there the Kentucky and Illinois
troops, overpowered by numbers, were retreating,
and the enemy pressing holly upon them and the
terry, which was in imminent danger of being cap
tured We opened a fire upon them, and they
retreated in the greatest disorder This last blow
terminated the battle, and instead of leaving the
battle field stated, we 1.-THE Sd Indianians) bivou-
acked In the most advanced position held by troops
in the morning, and the enemy drew off.
As troops never fought better than the Sd Indian
ians-as their steadiness and GOODNESS is proverbal
(as you will see by the official report,) am aston
shed that such calumnes should be fabricated against
| it, We were brought into the action when the da y
seemed extremel, critical and were victorious in
every engagement, and, in my opinion, entitled
to the credit OF having twice saved the fortunes OF
the day. have not mentioned the retreat or change
OF position OF other regiments invidiousy, but
proof that the fortunes of the day. in an eminent
degree, rested upon and was sustained by my regi-
ment So much for the 3d-regiment of Indiana vol
unteers.
| The I'd Indiana regiment opened the Z" ball on
the 23d, and | undertake 10 say that they deserve
credit for maintaining their first position long
| they did they were on the extreme left, next the
mountain. They stood firm and steady veterans,
and exchanged II rounds with vastly superior force
in their front-with their entire line from left to
right, raked by deadly fire of grape and canister
from "a FOUNDER and two Is pounders-wiih their
right flank threatened, and their exposed from
force that contending with the rfemen upon the
mountain-they did not retreat until they
dered TO do so by their commander, Gas in evidence
before a court of inquiry now sitting.) The only
possible charge which can be made in truth against
the I'd Indanians is, that they did not rally soor
as they should; but the fault is not with them, but
with the commander who designated no force point
for them to rally upon
1t would be- criminal In me to permit our brave
| soldiers, who have done much sustain their
countrys honor, to sleep under the gross injustice
which your article does them, and respectfully re-
| quest that you will give this place in your
paper Very respectfully, J. H. LANE,
Col. Command'g Sd Reg't la. Vol.
1t having been stated that Captain Lincoln wa.
killed whilst raying the Indianians, Colonel Lane
addressed letter Captain Sarbuck, inquiringsinft
the facts of Captain Lincolns fall. The following il
the reply
| BUENA VISTA, April l9, l647.
Dear Sir I'm reply TO. your note of this evening
| have TO say that Captain Lincoln, one of Genera
Wools aids the battle of Bucna Vista, fell while
delivering an order to some officer Immediately il
teers. was standing within a few yards of hin
when he fell At that time the Sd Indiana Volunteer
| were stationed some distance our right, and on
hill in the rear of Washington's battery. The u
regiment Indiana volunteers, having retreated from
their first position In the morning. were at that time
q considerable distance on eft and in our rear.
C. l.. STARBUCK. Capt ID Ill. Vols