Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-06-17
Indianapolis, June l5, 1917.
BUENA vrsrA. Mexico, April 26, 1917.

= 49,
BUENA VISTA. Mexico, April 26, 1s47.
| DR.. L. DUNLAP: Dear Friend-Your letter of
March 10Th is now before me, which pieases me very
much. | have written you often, that doubt
whether my letters will not to contain any in
ereSt for you, yet to every lndanian there is qaes
tion which, 1t is decided, must have Ill absorb
ing interest allude the infamous lies that have been
written about the Indiana troops concerning their
duct during the battle. 1t is true that the I'd Indiana
regiment dill retreat from its first position in
disorder, and few persons knew 10 what TO attribute
it. was perfectly astonshed so was Gen. Lane.
He cried at the top of his voice. where the hell
you going Halt halt! Men never fought better :;
was close in the of the line, and that regiment
stood like veterans they had fired twenty rounds Of
cartridges in the face of greatly superior numbers
without the least manifestation of fear. They were
rallied but the retreat at attributed 10
cowardice, and letter writers, and even some who
made official reports Of the battle, made the same
cusation.
Some few days after the battle, it began to he ru-
mored that tie ID regiment had received an order TO
retreat, and that the order had been given by Col.
Bowles. With the view of elciting the facts, Gen.
Lane preferred charges and specifications against the
Colonel Gen. Taylor refused to order court mar
tial Gen. Lane then demanded court of inquiry
into his own conduct: of course he was sustained
and applauded for his conduct and enough elicit
ed on that investigation to fasten the Of the ap
parent disgrace upon Col. Bowles, and his regiment
compelled him to ask court Of inquiry. That court
has been in session during the last two weeks.
have been In constant attendance for the purpose of
having all the facts brought out and to vindicate the
character Of State from the foul aspersons cast
upon her by charging her troops with cowardice. 1t
is proved before this court in Col. BIS case, lst that
he is utterly ignorant of tactics, and totally unquall
fed to command regiment. I'd. 1t Is proven by
thirteen witnesses that he gave the order, firing
and retreat twice repeated, and that this order was
xvh v auth lzpd in fbal unmo
date command. 3D.. That this order repeated
the third time before any of the officers obeyed
firm the line and little did they think about
running. Bowles denied giving the order until such
large number of witnesses swore that they heard
him give it, and saw him and knew his voice. He
then endeavored to prove that Capt. OBrens battery
stationed on the right ofthe regiment hadlet, and that
the retreat became necessary; but he failed to make
out this part of the case although he did find wit
nesses to swear to IT. They no doubt mistaken,
and they did not agree in their statements. Col Da
Wis of the Mississippi regiment that after the
ID regiment had left its position Col Bowles Joined
him with about 20 men, and reported to COL Davis
! that his regiment had run away, and the % men
were all that he could rally although IT is in proof that
more than 200 of the eight battalion (he ri
file companies having been sent up on TO the noun
tan) did Immediately rally, and fought like veterans
during the day. Those eight companies numbered
about 400 men it is in proof that 80 90 of the
400 were killed or wounded in the first engagement
and in the retreat Some of them joined the Illinois
troops; tico of them were found dead on the ground
where Hardin made his charge upon the enemy in the
afternoon, and repulsed with such immense loss.
Col. Bowles made the statement to Gen. Taylor
on the night of the Odd that he made to COL Davis.
He stated to Gen. Taylor that his regiment had left
the field that day in flight and disgrace, and he did
mot know where they were, but he himself Bowles,)
had been fighting all day bravey with the Mssissip
pans
These reports made by COL Bowles, influenced
Generals Wool and Taylor In making their official
reports, they suppOsing it to be impossible for the
Colonel of regiment TO SANDER his own command
for the purpose of building up his own reputation
wrote tn CnaPmans not long since of these
facts, which hope they have published. The proof
has come out precisely had anticipated Justice
is all that Indiana claims: that size will have all
events and the time will shortly arrive when she and
her troops will stand higher in public estimation than
any troops engaged on this sanguinary field. Much
has been said Of the troops, both infantry and cayal
ry, OF other States who ran from the enemy on that
day, and that too without orders. Of them shall
not speak, except in selfdefence; but history will
eventually inform posterty that Indiana did more des
Perate and more hard fighting that day, than any
other Safe which was represented on the field.
The prospect is, that shall be discharged in
June at New Orleans There is no news to comm
ncate The enemy will not in all probability make
disappearance at this place again. Gen. Scott is no
doubt attracting their attention in the vicinity of We
ra Cruz How successful we have been in every bat
tle and that too against fearful odds. The enemy at
this place the flower of the Mexican army. They
are greatly our superiors in dr and discipline but
in the matter Of courage and taking aim-two i'm
portant essentials, they are greatly deficient in.
Adieu. Write me at New Orleans; and know me
as ever your friend. A. L. ROBINSON.