Tri-weekly journal., 1847-06-22
THE JOU r " A l..
From ths New Orleans Picayune.

The following report by Brig. Gen. Lane ID supi-
mentary his official report of the operations of his
brigade in the battle Of Buena Vista He has thought
1t called for the Developments Of of inquiry
held since his frs, report made and by the var
Gus statements made in the papers injurious the
character Indiana As an act ofustice TO the Ind
ana troops and part of the record Of the great
deeds OF the 22d ofFebruary, comply with the
quest made upon US and cheerfully give the report
insertion in our columns. f.
BurxA VISTA, MExIco, May, l947.
From the of the press the numerous letters
that have been written and published, from the many
false and ridiculous statements uttered by different
persons sundry places concerning the battle at this
place on the 22d and 23d of February last, and more
particularly in consequence ofthe erroneous statement
invented and circulated in reference to the Indiana
brigade in connection with that memorable day,
feel myself constrained in discharge of an imperious
duty to give to the public succnct account OF facts
viii :h may enable every reader arrive at correct con-
clus.ons and that the public mind may be disabused
Of studied and systematic attempt at misrepresenta
ton and detraction arn
The disposition Of the troops seems 20 have been
confded to Gen. Wool, and they were posted in tho
following order, viz: The ID regiment of Indiana
volunteers commanded by COL Bowles, with three
pieces of artlery under Capt O'Brien, were posted
on the extreme left The 3rd regiment ofIndana vol
untcers, commanded by Col. Lane, occupied height
in rear Of Washngton's battery. Ths let Illinois
regiment, commanded by Col. Hardin, stationed
on a high hill near and short distance to the left
and front ofthe same battery. The ID Kentucky vol
unteers, under Col Mckee, was, on the 22d, posted
on the right Of deep revine at distance ola half
mile, on the right ofthe battery but on the morning
Of the 23d were ordered TO the reyine and
took place near Col Hardin and to his left The Cd
regiment Illinois volunteers, under Col. Bssel, were
posted further the left, and in the and to the
right at distance Of about half mile from where
the I'd Indiana regiment placed which regiment
as before remarked occupied the extreme left of the
field near the base Of the mountain. The four rife
companies Of my command, under Maj. German,
were at early dawn OF day ordered to up the
side Of the mountain to engage the enemy three
thousand strong, who wcro endeavo7ing to the
points the mountain and to turn our lcf. flank
These riaemen were directed to check their advance
If possible. The rife companies of the 81 Illinois
regiment three companies Of Col. Marshas mount
cd regiment, were dismounted AMI up the noun
tain to the assistance Of Maj German, who for some
time had been holly engaged with the enemy. The
contest the mountain brow ragged with fury for the
space OF about three hours, when was informed by
COL Churchill that the enemy in great forco were i'd
vancing under cover Of deep ravine about four
hundred yards in my front and TO the right. mme-
diately put my small command in motion to meet
them. Ii should be borne in mind that my whole
force was the eight battalion companies ofthe ID In
dams regiment and Capt. O'Briens battery of three
guns--in all about four hundred men. On arriving
at nnrowidgc between two deep aud rugged ra-
vines found the Mexican infantry, from four to six
thousand strong, supported by body Of anccrs,-
The infantry were coming up out Of the ravne my
left and forming in beautiful order across the ridge
leaving the lancer ia the ravine. immediately or
dered Capt. OBrien halt his battery and get ready
for the fray. The column was halted when the first
company up wi h and on the left of the battery,
and iocme'l forward into line of battle. ! rode in
front OF the column and continued in front as the
companies were forming into line, and was much de-
lighted to see the officers and men move forward in
good ORDER GOODNESS and courage were depicted in ey-
erycounenance. By the time half the companies were
in line, and while was yet in front, the Mexicans
opened their fire from their entire line In moment
the left companies wore in line passed to the rear
and the fire returned with promptness and good
S"~Ss' AASS ZIG OdtNe OH pam Oh
Buena Vista. The distance between the enemy line
and my own about one hundred and twenty yards
About the time the action commenced, the enemy
opened tremendous fire ffom their battery of three
heavy guns, posted on my left and little to my rear
which enhladed my line In this manner the battle
continued to rage for nearly twenty five minutes the
firing being very on both Sides the lines of the
Mexican infantry presenting one continued sheet OF
fame. | observed the Mexican line to break and fall
back several times, but their successive formation
across the ridge enabled them once force the men
back to their position and keep them steady then
formed the determination to take position nearer the
enemy, with the hope of routing and driving them
from that part of the field and for the purpose of pa-
cling the lineseut ofthe range of the enemy's guns
which had succeeded in getting the range so as to be
doing some execution nearly every fire. For that pur-
pose sent my aid TO direct Capt OBren to advance
his battery some fifty sixty yards the 'front.' and
to return to to assist in passing an order 10 the line
10 the same point lie went with the battery to its
advanced position. was at that moment near the
left Of my line. Before my aid returned to me- was
muchsurprsed to my line begin to give way OH the
night and continuing to give way to the extreme left
not knowing at that time that Col Bowles had given
an order to retreat, and it several days after the
battle land until after had made my official re-.
portJ before was satisfied that the regiment had re-