Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-06-10
BpssA vlsrA, ApFil 20. 1917.

BUENA VISTA, ApFu ~, 1911.
MsSSrS. Editors Indiana Slate SeaffRel
In an article in the N. o. Del Of the 18th ultimo
purpofting apon the authority Of Major Coffee to
give description Of the battle Of Buena Vista, the
glory Of achieving that victory is given TO other
troops and those Of Indiana sigmatiscd with coward
ice aud fight. The pride which feel for my S ate
and the brave soldiers who have served with me,
renders il necessary 10 refute tins foul caumny and
prove by facts that the victory was won by the Ind-
ana troops.
1t is false that Captain LINCOLN was killed at the
head of the Indiana troops. when upbrading Them
for cowardice, bur III front of tie I'd Illinois; it IS
false that the Sd regiment Of Indiana panic
struck or fled, but on the contrary, victorious
wherever it went, and the singular merit of being
the only regiment that at an times stood firm The
account of Major Coffee has scarcely the semblance of
truth in any of It's features, the following proml
nent events of the battle viii prove.
Tie battle began by the rtlenen of Indiana on the
mountain Sides where hey were less than 200 strong,
sustained the fire of batalIons for more than SIX
hours-were oyerpowered, and rendezvoused at the
rancho The I'd Indiana led against the Next
can column on the left. and was repulsed. The Ar
kansas and Kentucky cavalry retired from the left
without striking blow. The Illinois and Kentucky
were led to the left and were rePulsed- The Mssis-
sipp Tegiment was likewise repulsed Thus our en-
tire line, except the Sd Ipdiana and fragment of
Col Hardin's, broken and somewhat dispersed,
and no decisive advantage gained over the enemy.
The Sd Indiana was now ordered TO form junction
with and sustain Col. Davis. The left wing having
given way, our trent was changed to the mountains,
exposing us to an eniilade FIRE from the enemys bat
thirds of which Indnnians, dispersed the masses
of infantry amongst the mountains, and drove the las
cers under shelter Of their battery. 1t is false that
THE Mssssppians repeled tbe charge OF the lancers
lit was done by the Sd Indiana before the MsslsSip-
plans had delivered fire. After pursuing the Mexi-
IN he in haSo attack az : made
upon the Illinois and Kentucky troops who were re-
treating anda battery in imminent Danger of being
captured. This force was ordered to the and
did rescue the troops and baterys put 40 fight the
ALexcans, and by it terminated the battle.> As the
caFnry never engaged the line, they moi
entitled to The credit of winning the battle. AS the
Kentucky and Illinois troops repulsed. finally
in every engagement, they not entitled to It-no
troops bat those above named gained any decisive adj
vantage except IN the rancho skirmish and there the
lHdiana rifehen cnpir buted in an eminent degree to
tbatresut The.artilery was eminently efficient and
contributed largely to these results did the caval
ry on cur left by their presence, but they were mere
spectators do not cite the repuse and retreat Of
other troops to dIsparage their services for they all
fought bravey, but to show how critical the fortunes
of the day that nothing but disasters had oc-
Cured and that a force of GOO Indianians and 300
MIssissippans turned the tide against overwhelming
odds. flushed with success, over other corps.
From this ordeal of SANDER, Indiana will emerge
with addp; IL sire, and the services of her soldiers
I on this Re< - Aset honor upon themselves and the
State they -fef<ssen, if truth prevail. very re-
spectablsorton Of the ID Indiana had loiQed the Sd
on Its left before it became Engaged joined with the
Mississippians, and this body I'D Indiana Mississp-
pi, and part Of I'd Indiana) never wavered, but
fought until night, and victory closed their labors
The Sd Indiana bivUuacked on the field of battle il
the most advanced position. Knowing that you
would yindicate our State From the stains attempted
to be put upon her, furnish you with this data upor
which to do it. 1t was submitted to Gen. Lane wiC
/ is also preparing similar document.
i Very respectfully, yours
i w. NJ. MCARTY.
1t. Col. Sd Reg't Ind. VOL