The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-27
CAMP BuENA VISTA. Anril 10. 1917

CAMP BuENA VISTA, April 10, 1877.
II is an error that the Indiana brigade, as brigade was
in the tight. The lst regiment was on the Rio Grande,
the I'd on the extreme left of the line of battle, and the
Sd on the extreme rght-further separated than any two
regiments upon the field | suppose your informant was
led into error because Brig Gen. Lane was with the ed
regiment IL Is an error that my regiment hesated
for single instant, and it has the signal merit of being
one If not the only in the action that did not retreat
Our position was in the road by which alone the art
ery OF the enemy could be brought forward and only
posed to artillery fire until the I'd Indiana Kentucky H.
LIMOS, and Mississippi troops had been successfully
driven back by the overpowerng force of the enemy.
The enemy having been twice rcpused in 'front.' and
having completely turned left flank and taken po-
slton next the mountain were ordered there, and
formed junction with Col Davis's regiment and the
I'd Indianians which had been rallied This force ad-
vanced upon the infantry and lancers and kept up brisk
fire until II was ordered to by Gen. Taylor Ii
now that the ancers made the charge alluded to- and for
the epuse OF which the credit is given the MISSISSIPPI
plans, This charge was made in column upon the ex-
IRENE right OF my regiments the I'd lndanlans and Mis-
ssslpplans being on our left They were permitted to
approach within twenty-five steps OF the line before |
gave the command to fire. they were repulsed and fled
under OF their battery and their infantry dispersed
among the mountains We now moved to the vicinity
OF OBnens battery and when arrived there the Ken
lucky and Illinois troops overpowered by numbers,
retreang, and the enemy pressing holly upon them
and the battery which in imminent danger of being
ed in the greatest disorder This last blow terminated
the battle, and instead OF leaving the battle field,
stated (he 3D. lndanians) bvouackcd in the most adj
VdnCeu posluon Hel Dy our troops III Inc morning anu
the enemy drew off
As troops fought better than the Sd ndianans,
their seadness and GOODNESS is proverbial Gas you
will see by the official report) am asonlshed that such
calumnies should be fabricated against it. We were
brought into the action when the day seemed extremely
critical and 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 nvid
ousy but proof that the fortune oil the day, in
eminent degree, rested upon, and sustained by, my
regiment So much for the Sd regiment of Indiana vol
unteers
The ID Indiana regiment opened the "ball' on the
23d; and undertake to say they deserve credit for
maintaining their first position as long they did
They were on the extreme left next the mountain
They stood firm and steady veterans, and exchanged
twenyone rounds with vastly superior force in their
fronts with their entire line, from LETT to right, raked
by a deadly fire of grape and canister, from one
2ipounder and two ISIS; with their right flank threat
ened, and their exposed from force that
tending with the rflemen upon the mountain They did
not retreat until they 1cere ordered to do By their
ndnder, is in evidence before court of inquiry
sitting. The only possible charge which be made in
truth against the I'd lndianans is that they did rally
they should; but the fault is not with them,
but with the commander, who designated force or
point for them TO rally upon.
II would be criminal in to permit our brave sol
diers. who have done much to sustain their countrs
honor TO sleep under the gross injustice which your arti
Gle does them and respectfully request that you will
give this note place IN your paper Very respectfully
Colonel comdg Sd regt Indiana vol.