Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1848-09-14

in pursuance of "Oders,' No. 233 current SERIES
of which Brig. Gen. Marshall is President aud which
was Instituted at the request of Brig Gen Joseph Lane
buena vista The following have been announced as
The facts OF the case aud the opinion of the Court there
Facts-That at the battle of Bueus Vista ON the pod
OF February, Gen. Lane commanded the Cd and 80 reg-
ments OF Indiana Volunteers; that the I'D be in
Immediate commend of the I'd regiment of Indiana Vol
unees, and three pieces of artillery under Lit o Brlen
and that tue ID Indiana Volunteers rctreatsG from the
held without any order from Cen Lane the 23d of
February that through the exerons of Cen Lane and
other officers from 80 10 200 Of The % regiment Of
Indiana Volunteers rallied and attached 10 The Mis-
sssipPi regiment, and the 80 Indiana regiment and
NAMED with them on the field Of battle during the re-
mainder Of the dav''
OptniOns.-The Court of the opinon that during
the whole period of the 22d and 23d of February ls47
that bng Gen. Lane conducted himself as a brave and
gallant officer, and that atiactes to him for
The retreat of the Cd regiment OF Indiana volunteers
III. The proceedings of The Court in The above case
have been duly submitted 10 and examined by the co-
manding General and are by him duly approved.
III. The Court of Inquiry Of which brig Gen. Thos.
Marshall is President is hereby dissolved
BY command of Brig Gen Wool,
IRWIN McDowELL,A. A. g.
/ BY this time the men and officers Of the entire
command had beearne convinced that Bowles was
alone TO blame, and public opinion ran SO much
against him, that he was compelled TO ask court of
inquiry. The court ordered by Gen. Wool under
the authority of Gen. TaI lor, and his guilt establish
ed beyond all doubt controversy. This court was
composed of Colonies BiSsell aud Weatherford of
llinOis, and Ut. Col. MoCook, of Ohio. 1t remained
in session for thirteen days. Col Bowles was all the
time present, and examined or cross-examined every
witness. So full and clear tie proof that the
| court actually refused to hear further testimony
When five additional witnesses were brought before
thern they declared themselves satisfied refused To
hear further testimony and these FIVE were discharged
without being sw orn or examined at ALL some twenty
witnesses having been already examined upon the
subject.
! Col Bowles's application for court CT enquiry is
l by mistake | presume, antedated month. 1t
should be dated april the 9th, instead of March the
9th. II is follows:
BUENA VISTA, Mexico, March 81, lS47.
General Wool
S:-Charges and specifications having been preferred
against by Gen. Joseph Lane, which the COM
manding general declined ordering Court Marshal but
at the time authorized Court Of Inquiry in my
my behalf if desired.
in of all the circumstances and in Justice to my
SELF would respectfully ask of you that Court Of In
curry may be had investigate my conduct In the battle
of the 23d February lS47 between the forces of General
Taylor and Gen Santa Anna in Mexico to assemble at
such time and place you may deem proper
! am, sir, with esteem, your obi serv't,
! w. A. BOWLES.
The following is the order published by Gen. Wool
containing the facts and opiu ions Of the
| Bowles's conduct:
FACTS AND OPINION OF THE COURT OF IN
/ CURRY CONVENED TO INVESTIGATE THE
| CONDUCT OF COL BOWLES.
/ HEADQUARTERS, CAMP AT BUENA VIsrA,
April "a, lS47.
! ORDERS No. 2SI.
/ Court Of inquiry of which Col Bissell Cd ILL.,
nois volunteers, President, convened this camp
the 18th inst orders No 67 series,
being Instituted at the request of Col W. A. Bowles
inquire into concerning HIMSELF referred The
charges and specifications
The Court after diligently and faithfully inquiring in
TO the matter before il report from the evidence given
the following the facts Of the CASE and opinions
1 thereon:
Statement of Facts-1n reference to the first charge
il appears from the evidence that Col Bowles Ignorant
OF the company battalion and brigade drills and that the
maneuvre OF the evening of the 22d Feb indicated in
the Sd specification uf that charge, indicative of
ignorance OF the battalion drill
In relation to the I'd charge appears from the evil
dence before the Court that Col Bowes gave the order
cease firing and Retreat, that Gen. zane present
and that he had no authority from Gen. Lane to give
| such order.
1t also appears that Col Bowes reireated after having
given the aforesaid command but that he did shame
fully run away from The enemy, did he hide himself
in any ravine from the enemy from his regiment
appears too that Col. Bowles dismounted from his
horse of his regiment. but there evidence
to show that he did protect himself from the enemy
! The finds that the fact of Col. Bowles having
given the order above mentioned, did induce the regi
ment 10 retreat in disorder.
Col. Bowles gave the order with the intention of max
ing the regiment leave It's Position but the court does
mo 10
defend it
Opinion-With reference the first charge the Cour
is OF opinion that Colonel Bowles, ignorant of the du
ties of Colonel, but would remark that iheath has IL
degree prevented him from fitting himself for the
duties Of that office.
The Court is of opinion that at the time Col Bowles
gave the order retreat, he under the impression
that the artillery had retreaed when IN fact the battery
at that time had gone advanced position under tho
order of Gen. Lane, which orders had not been com
muuicated 10 Col. Bowles.
engagement, and through the whole day, Col. BowIe
evinced of personal courage bravery, but tina
he did manifest want of capacity and judgment
commander.
II H. The proceedings Of the Court in the above cast
have been duly submitted the Commanding General
who approves the same.
III. The Court of Inquiry of which Col. Bissell, q
Illinois volunteers is President is hereby dissolved
BY command Of Brig. General Wool,
IRWIN MCDOWELL, A. A. G.
This Court appears 70 have been as charitable an,
lenient towards Bowes possible. Ii will be oh
served that they have found all the hard stubborn fact
which were necessary 10 exOnerae the regiment from
blame. The Court finds from the evidence that Col
) BDwles showed no want of personal courage. Thu
public will Judge of this matter. The Court furhe
finds that Buwles dismounted from his horse. TIL
question has been asked, have no doubt thousan
times % why did bed smount if not to avoid the enc
! my's bullets 7" The enemy firing high, mos
beautiful range to take off those whose duty it wa
. to be on horseback Col Bowles understood thi
well, and doubtless concluded that the closer to TIN
ground he could get, the safer he would be.
The important fact that he the order to retrea
is established and that he gave it without auihorit,
. from me or any one else. This taken in connection
with the fac stated in my official report OF the battle
4 that those troops Immediately rallied and Tough
during the whole day like veterans, completely win
drates the reputation of those brave men.
The orders containing the finding of the Court, a
published bv Gen. Wool, were entered upon the re
cords of his Adiutani Generals Office and in the ordi
nary course of business would be transmitted Gen
! Taylor. | do not know that they actually sen
= to him. but a; Gen. " ool is extremely prompt ant
punctual in the discharge of all his official du les. thu
= presumption is they were so transmitted.