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

have against Gen. Taylor in connection with bis Off
ca report Is that besides not stating the fact OF the
rnllying of these nne has left il to be inferred
that other troops rereaied that day except the I'd
Indiana regiments when it is perfectly notorious that
there few who did not do their duty in every
regiment upon that field. And | here assert that
there were amongst the lndlanlans fhan
amongst the other regiments engaged This fact
will not be cOntradcted by any'indvidua who took
part IN that battle. | stated the general fact in my
report IN exactly these words: "dIsgrace must for
ever hang around the names OF those who refused to
return; and regret to say there few OF those
from nearly every volunteer corps engaged"
Soon after the battle, and after my report had been
made and transmitted to Washington it rumored
through the camp that some officer had given order
to retreat. Very those pointed to Col.
Bowles as that officer That retreat was wholly IN
expected To me. The men had gone into action So
handsomely, coolv and steadily, that their retreat,
without my orders, breaking off they did 50 sud
denly from right 10 left, struck with asonishment.
The morning after the battle, called the field officers
together and made enquiry as 10 the cause of the re-
treat, and whether any orders had been given them
as coming from me, TO That effect. They all 50 -
they lad not. then enquire0 Of them whether they
had themselves given such order. Col. Bowes
| stated, with oath, that lie had hot. Maj CrayenS
knew had not, for he was near me when the retreat
took place. Col. Haddon said he had So
as it became apparent that Colonel Bowles had given
order To retreat and that it could be substantated by
undoubtcd proof, / drew up the following charges and
specifications aud forwarded them 10 Gen. Wool, who
them to Gen. Taylor, with request that n court
martial should be ordered To try Colonel BOwles for
his cowardly and unofficer-llke conduct
CHARGES AND SPECIFICATIONS.
Charge lst Suitability aud inrompeency to discharge
| the dulles Of Colonel.
Spenifcotions-lsl In this, that Colonel BuwIes is
ignorant of the tactics which used in the army, in
| battalion and company drill and exercise.
| 2-ln this, that the said Colonel Bowes is ignorant
OF the tactics in use in brigade drill and exercise.
3d-ln this that the said Col. Bowles is ignorant of
the movements necessary meet and epeI charge Of
the enemy, shown the night of the 22d of Febua-
ry, lS47, in the battlefield of Buena Vista, Mexico.
Charge 2d.-NIoiation of the SD article of war.
Specification lSt-In this that in the battle Of the 23d
February 1547 BUena VISTA Mexico the said Colonel
Bowes commandant OF the said regiment, did misbehave
himself before the enemy by then and there giving TO the
said regiment while engaged with and under the fire of
the enemy, the following unnecessary order,
firing and retreat In CONSEQUENCE of which order the
said regiment did retreat and thrown into great
| FUSION some of whom could not be rallied again during
the battle.
2d-In this, that in The battle of the 23d February last
at Buena Vista, Mexico, with the Mexican army he the
said Col BovIes of the said regiment while
m action and while battery OF three guns under
the command OF Brig General Lane, of the Sd Brigade
all under the enemys fire. did, without authority give
the said regiment the following unnecessary and unofi-
cerke order, twice repeated firing and retreat
consequence of which said order the sad regiment did
commence most disorderly retreat from the enemy.
3d.-In this, that the said Col Bowles commandant of
the said regiment the said 23d o! February while in
the same battle, after giving and repeating the said order
IN the LIST and I'd specifications last above named, did
shametuy run away from the enemy and abandon his
post in the presence OF the enemy which post he had
been commanded by his superior officer maintain and
| defend
the order specified the LIST and Cd specifications
this charge, did then aud there abandon his position and
| regiment and run away from the enemy and hide him.
self both from his regiment and from the and
take shelter aione IN ravine the of action.
5th.-ln this, that the said Col Bowles, commandant
of the said regiment, while commanding the in that
battle, and while under the fire of the enemy, dsmounted
from his horse in the rearpf his regiment and took shell
ter from the enemys fire behind his and behind his
| own horse
6ih.--In this, that the SAID Col Bowles while COM
mandant Of that regiment (under Brig Gen. Lane) dur
ing the battle aforesaid, the said Odd Of Feb spoke
words to that regiment which induced from
the enemy while under their fire. as follows viz: cease
firing. cease firing and retreat"
7th-ln this, that the day aforesaid and during that
battle, and while engaged with The enemy, the said Col
Bowes gave order in the last specification mentioned
with the intention oil inducing that regiment abandon
the position they then occupied, and which they had
ceved orders from superior officer maintain and de-
lend All Of which contrary law, and tended
only to the manifest injury Of the public SERVICE but
bring reproach upon American arms
(Signed) JOSEPH LANE, Brigadier General.
Although these charges were signed by myself zen.
Taylor refused to order court martial as had request
ed and hoped he would do, that the facts might come
]
grace | give below, his letter to Gen. Wool upon
the subject. As this letter is signed by Major Bliss
a few words Of explanation may be necessary, as TO
the mode of doing business in the army. An officer
of the army when writing to his subordinate or to his
inferior in command, does not sign his own name tn
the communication. but it is signed by his Adluant
or diutant General. When writing to a superior,
he always signs his own name. Thus Gen. Taylor,
when writing officially to Gen. Wool, writes as in
this case, through his Adjuianl General. In writing
to Gen. Scott his superior in rank to the Secreta-
~ Of War, he always signs the communication with
his own name. In sending official letter TO Gen.
Tny Or III the regular order of business forwarded
it to my next immediate superior in command-in
this to Gen. Woodland lie sends to the General.
in-chief, General Taylor Hence the following letter
is signed by Maj. Bliss.
GEN. TAYLOR'S REASONS FOR NOT ORDER.
| ING A COURT MARITAL.
HEADQUARTERS Army OF OCCUPATION, !
Camp near Monterey, March 3D. 1o47
General Tie charges against Colonel Bowles in
cuded in your communication Of the 18th inst, have
been duly submitted to the Commanding General, who
directs me to say that under all the he
not disposed 10 order Court Martial in the case BY
reference to the ofeal reports of the engagement
Buena VISTA 1t is that tho personal conduct of Col
Bowes exolied both 10y yourself and Col Davis witt
whose regiment he associated after the flight of biz
own. la nearly weeks that the General remained
at Salllo alter The battle, he heard no syllable breathe6
against the reputation of Colonel Bowles does d,
now believe that charges affecting his conduct in the bat
ue eau oe suosiantiated Ills own olcal report based
upon The best eyidednce he could obtain speaks we'll of thu
conduct OF Colonel Bow les, and he will not consen
to entertain the charges against him. They should have
been preferred at an earlier day Should Colonel Bowie
desire Court Ot Inquiry 10 this case, directed Il
say that you authorized by the Commanding Gen
grant it, but the General thinks best for all concerned
TO let the matter drop
am, sir, very respectfully. your obt serv't,
w. w S. Bliss, A. A. General.
: Brig Gen. Wool, U. s. A. Commanding, &c.
Buena Vista, Mexico.
Being disappointed in this application, I applied t.
Gen. Wool for a court of inquiry into my own oficia
conduct supposirg that should be permitted to prov
all the facts upon that investigation. The court wa
| o-lo.oI ~ .,..;.,oJ So D., c.