Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-05-13


MARCH %, 1917
MEssRs CHAPMASs:-I have RETAINED from wiring
any Thing for publication concerning the battle at this
the official reports Of that action would place every hing
right before the pubic, in form TO be questioned
But facts have been slicited since those reports
made connected with the honor and interests OF India
witch requires notice from near the scene
of the battle. aude tie Of the I'd Indiana
regiment from their position early in the day That
has been spoken Of by the officers who have report
ed the and by letter writers, whose pro-
ductOns will be published in every paper IN the United
States. Sumo accounting for that retreat IN way,
in another But The fact is, that retreat order
ed by Col BOsotes, The eommaadanf Of the regiment He
gave the order without any authority il at that
time under the immediate command Of Gen. Lane, who,
when Col b. gave the order 10 retrea was making ar
Engagements 10 advance the line the enemy. The
battery of light artillery of three guns had already been
ordered TO advanced position, for the purpose of
sustaining that regiment when n should be brought
the enemy. But when the line broke and fled, oniy
few knew the cause, from what the order 10
retreat had emanaed Subsequent enquiry has satisfied
almost every who IL that gave the order, and
for giving Col Bowes has been arrested for violating
the SD article Of war; and also charge of incomPe-
iency to discharge the duties apPeraining to his oee
do not wsh TO say word 10 prejudice public opi1
ion against the Colonel the whols will dergo
judicial investigation. Thus much il is but jus TO say
behalf of that brave body Of men, the I'd regiment,
who fought like veterans, and withsiOod enemy hire,
seldom equalled, never surpassed IN any battle.
l will briefly aude 20 other matter in connection
with that brilliant victory. am not that II has
ben noticed any official report and that is The charge
made upon the enemy by the Kentucky and the two Hi
regiments the afternoon and their unfortunate
repOlse Abot four o'clock p. NJ. Of the sd the enemy
discovered drawing off from the field in great
beis IN the direction of their camp Ii was apparent
they discouraged and disappointed in their efforts
TO force lines, and were the of making re-
treat AT this uncure occurred to Col Hardin Of III.
that by vigorous charge Of those three regiments upon
the enemys ne they rould be wholly routed and their
battery of "a FOUNDER aud two II FOUNDER cannon
could be taken the point Of the bayonet Accordingly
he called to Col Mckee, commanding the Kentucky
egiment, and Col Bssl of the I'd Illinois follow HIM
in the charge. They did so but their advance made
in such irregular lines, and without that perfect system
Tin the absence of which all military against
enemy prove wholly aborive that the enemy, supe-
rior 10 us IN mere discipline perceyng their advantage
at once formed in good order faced about and in
charged lines with such vigor and impetuosity that
those three regiments were in time compelled to fly,
which they did in disorder and confusion The I'd
and Sd Indiana and Mississippi regiment under the
mand Of Brig Gen. Lane had been closely engaged
the foot of the mountan and had Just resisted charge
OF that celebrated corps, The Vera Cruz ancers, and
driven ihem and also the enemys infantry from that
part Of the field Hearing the rapid and continued firing
in the vicinity of the Illinois and kentucky forces he
proceeded in double quick time about half mile towards
the of conflict and happily arrived in time TO at
tack and repulse the enemy who pursuing the
forces who had made the unfortunate charge. The then
last named regiments commanded by Gen. Lane, came
upon the enemy within point blank musket shot, and
opened such deadly and Obstructive fire the enemys
right flank that they compelled to fOrego the pur-
suit of the Illinois troops and change their 'front.' and
the ge of Gen. Lanes forces. But this fire proved
so deadly in its effect that the enemy again
PEELED rum which they did full speed towards their
camp. This the last firing that occurred between
the contendng forces of infantry during tho bate and
If the OF the day TO be attributed to any
effort, would say that this repuse of the enemy, by Gen.
Lanes command, that important and critical uncure,
was the one. The enemy had driven the Illinois and
Kentucky regiments down the extreme right Of the
field, and there great danger that, flushed with
cess and almost the only success which the enemy had
obtained during the whole day, and being still greatly
superior in NUMBERS they would charge and carry
battery posted the pass right 1t in
this unfortunate charge that Col Hardin, Cd Ill., and Col
Mckee and Lieut.. Col Clay Of the Kentucky regiment
fell, while endeavoring to rally their Those three
regiments lost in that charge in killed and wounded
than they had lost during the whole days fighting previ
Ii in that attack upon the pursuing enemy that
the brave Capt Taggs Of Brown county, Of the Sd In.
diana regiment fell His last words deserve to be re-
membered by the whole nation. As he about TO
expire, knowing himself to be dying man, he handed
his sword to FRIEND saying, al shall harc use
for n-BUT TELL THE FIGHT oN-oSR CAUSE
JUST /" and then Immediately breathed his last.
The above remarks not made with Of wound
ing the reputation feelings of any one but for the pur
pose Of bringing to the public notice the facts of this
part of the field in detail. Hardin, McKee, and Clay
but many other words indicating bravery and
age; and the charge they made well conceived and
had il been successful, would have those
with fedeless aureIs in addition those they had already
won. They sleep in glorys bed, and their will
be recorded on The brightest page Of counys history
do claim for her all the honor Of that memorable day
Others actuated by the sentiments Honor and
glory due ALL Indiana had the honor of firing the
first and The last gun in that batie Of shedding the first
she shed the last drop of blood upon that sanguinary
field. The victory of Buena VISTA unparalleled mod
history, by the valor and the blood of vol
nneers from the and southwest. No State can
clam all the honor; monopolize the
glory of that saDgunary but successful conflict. AS an
lndania6, proud of the regiments, both officers and
men, which she to this field. They proved them
selves that day, and that Stae and the
natlon have cause To be proud of men gallant and
brave Our Civilizations of success checked when we
recoec the price of this victory IL has The life of
many brave man and will carry mourning many a
family only in Indiana, bur many other States But
grateful country will remember the sufferers and much
possible relieve hem-the wounded by pensions and
the families of the killed by large and liberal
TO the widows and orphans. But, sdeu! l have no
news since the battle, except OF victory gained by Gen.
Kearney chihuahua large body Of the enemy.
This receive through the Mexicans. We hope that
these repeated defeats and disasters which the enemy
meet with every field will induce them make peace.
Respectfully your obcdent servant and friend
| A. l.. ROBINSON.
BUENA VISTA, March %, 1S47.
To THE EDITORS THE STATE SENTINEL:
GEMS. Il must give you few items. Several
4 davc off fho haiti Tan