Evansville weekly journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 184?-18??, 1848-05-04
GEO. G.. DUNN.
WASHINGTON, Feb. II, 1913.

WASHINGTON, Feb. II, 1913.
MAJOR GENERAL L. Taylor:
DEAR SIR:-Availing myself of the kindness
of an introduction through your distinguished
and excellent friend, the Hon. J. J. Crittenden,
beg leave most respectfully to invite your at
tentionto matter about which large number
OF the people of my State, in common with
myself, feel deep interest. | refer to the I'M
fortunate circumstances connected with the
Second Indiana Regiment in the battle of Bue-
ma Vista.
lido not desire to extenuate any actual de-
llnquencies either of the officers or men of thai
Regiment. nor could l wish you to screen real
misconduct upon such an occasion from Just
rebuke and deserved public censure. The in
terest of the public service would forbid this,
and believe you incapable of making that sec
ondary to any other consideration.
Havingno knowledge myself of military af-
fairs, do not know what are the imperative
and defined duties of commanding General of
our armies, in regard to the characrer and ex-
tent OF the Reports of matters connected with
has operations, but suppose that he is requir-
ed to give detailed account of his whole plan
OF operations IN an engagement, and full and
accurate account of the conductof all the troops
under his command SO far as it shall pass I'M
der his own observation, or be submitted to
him IN the reports of the subordinate officers;
and that it is upon this personal observation.
and the subordinate reports, that his detailed
account OF any engagement is to be made
Assuming this to be true, land it is the only
possible way can see of making reliable re-
port,) have examined with care. your detail
ed report, dated at Aqua Nueva, March 6, 1871
Gneonnection with all the reports of the sub
ordinate commands in regard to the battle o
nd T ~,
presentation of the conduct of that unfortunate
Regiment is far less severe or Objectionable In
It's terms (even if it be Incorrect than the Ian
guage employed by Gen. Wool in his report
to you, datedat the same place, on the Nth Of
the same MONTH IN regard TO the same matter,
or that used by Gen. Lane, on the same sub
iect, in his report to Gen. Wool, dated at Bue-
ma Vista, on the 25th of February, l647. MOI
am able to perceive how your statement could
have. been different, consistently with the rep
resehtatiors of all the minor reports of tina
battle, as published with yours, and other &C
companying documents, with the late annua
message of the President. Still, it is believed
that injustice has been done that Regiment, il
all of these reports in consequence of a misap
prehension of some of the facts of the case, a
the time the reports were made.
We have been informed that these facts wer
afterwards developed by Court of Inquiry
called at the instance of Gen Lane, to investi
gaia the matter, and that it was shown upor
that investigation that the misconduct was no
chargable to the troops themselves-on The
contrary that they were fully exonerated from
any imputation upon their individual courag,
or devotion to the honor Of the service, an,
further, that the entire disaster was owing Il
the ineficiency or unskilfulness of some of lh
field officers. Soon after this, there appeared
in the public journals ofthe United States wha
was called supplemental report of Brig. Gen
Lane, in regard to this NATTER in which tn
troops themselves, and many of the compan,
/ officers were highly commended for their goo
conduct We had been assured, by those VIII
assumed to know, that these facts had beef
properly brought to your notice, and that tn
honor of our State would be fully vindicatet
yba supplemental report from you to the Wa
Department. Upon enquiry at that depart
ment, lam advised that no such supplemental
report has been received from you, nor ha
; there, as | learn, ever been received at tina
: Department the proceedings of the abov
named Court of Inquiry, or the Supplement-
report of Brig. Gen. Lane, of May 10, 1917.
May hope that you will feel at liberty L
give such explanation of this affair, so far q
, your information will enable you, as shall vim
: dictate that Regiment from any unjust censure
and, at the same time, exonerate yourself from
the imputation sometimes made against you
of disposition rather to fasten this stain upol
, our State than to remove it-a fact whic
cannot, fora moment, believe.
With sentiments of the highest considera
ton, for your many valuable public services
as well as profound respect for you personal
, ly, am, sir,
Your most ob't and humble serv't,
GEO. G. DUNN.