Evansville weekly journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 184?-18??, 1848-07-13

away Win CouSlucIdDic luduslIy-OuL WIZ
very little prudence, and less profit to their
party-on the stale charge that Gen. Taylor is
responsible for the reproach, if there be any,
that attaches to the End Indiana Regiment for
lis conduct at the battle of Buena Vista. The
fact that Gen. Taylor made ap his account of
that battle aud of the conduct of the different
troops engaged in it from the reports of others,
IS not needed by these defenders OF Indiana's
honor. 1t is ofno consequence with them
that Col. Bowles reported his regiment as has
ing ran away, while he With only 20 men, all
that be could rally, continued TO fight brayely
throughout the day; or that Col. Davis sustain
ed the account of Bowles; or that Gen. Wool
so reported the facts TO Gen. Taylor; or that
Gen. Lane-who sal on bis horse In the thick
est of the fight, almost grasping victory, saw
them turn and disappear so suddenly that he
had barely time 10 mark it--reported their de-
fiction and declared that unless they speedily
sought opportunity to wipe out the stain they
must forever be held asfecreant 10 their country
honor. 1t matters not, we say, that euery Off
Ger whose duty it was TO make report con-
corning them, felt called upon to speak harsh
ly of the 2nd Regiment, Gen. Taylor Ia held by
these sapientjudges responsible for the sins.
whether Of commission or omission, of all 9TH
ers; and notwithstanding his repeated declara-
! ton that he had not lost confidence in the
bravery of the men. and intended, and so ex-
pressed himself, had the fight continued next
day, TO have '.placed them in action with the
| full conviction that the officers and men. uni
tedly and individually, would have acquitted
| themselves with steadiness and gallantry." he
still continues mark for their abuse and yir-
tuperation.
We can very we'll appreciate the feelings oil
Gen. Lane, when he believed he had the Mex
icans cornerfd and whipt, upon witnessing the
hasty retreat of the men, who up to that mo-
ment had stood firm and unhinching, and we
can readily overlook the severe things he in
his report says of that portion of the regiment
who would not and did not rally, because h
could not account for such condHct-he did not
k'oW rchen he made up his report that BOWlca
was imposed upon-not as Taylor was by the
| reports of all the under officers--but by his
own eyes,--he saw them fly after having de-
liveFed Fl rounds with the enemy and he could
not account for it for he did not hear Bowles
give the order to Gee ase firing and retreat"
1t WAS our intention TO have gone into a
history of the whole matter hen the following
in the New Albany Bulletin met our eye
This covers the whole ground, and we copy SO
much as we think necessary to answer the full
some Trades made against Gen. Taylor By the
locofoco press of this State.
Now, for the purpose of disposing of these
things regularly, and so that they may be per-
fectly plain and easily understood, and for the
purpose of doing justice to the real heroes of
Buena Vista.--the End Indiana Regiment
We have the reports of Gen. TAYLOR, Gen.
Wool, Gen LANE, and Col. JEFFERSON DAVIS,
and have made extracts from the report of each
officer named, which will be found below
The first extract we give is from the report of
Gen. TAYLOR. and contains all he says in re-
ference TO the conduct of the Reg iment. In
speaking of that part of the battlefield occu-
pied by the 2nd Regiment, Gen. TAYLOR,
says;
"Brigadier Gen. LANE being IN the imme-
t'diate command, in order to bring his men
swithin effective range, Gen. LANE ordered the
A'artillery and 2nd Indiana Regiment forward.
''The artillery advanced within musket range
"of heavy body of Mexican infantry, and
"was served against it with great effect, bnt
"without being able TO check it's advance. The
'inianry ordered 10 its support had fallen
"back In disorder, being exposed as we'll as the
'battery not only TO severe fire of small arms
"from their front, but also murderous cross
fire of grape and canister from Mexican bat
''tefy from the left. Capt O'Brien found it
impossible to retain his position without
support, but was only able to withdraw two
''of his pieces. all the horses and cannoneers
''of the third being killed or disabled. The
Second Indiana Regiment, which had fallen
''back as stated, could not be rallied and took
''no further part in the action, except hand
''ful of men, who, under its gallant Colonel
"Bowles, joined the Mississippi Regiment
land did good service, and the fugiives at a
''later period in The day, assisted in defending
''the train and depot at Buena Vista"
In the foregoing extract, we admit that Gen
TAYLOR done the I'd Regiment injustice, but
how did he come to do it? Hisreport was foun
did upon the reports made TO him by General
1 Wool, Gen. Lane, and Col. Davis. What die
Gen. Wool say? Read the following from his
report TO Gen. TAYLOR:
Gen. Wool says: 'sGen. Lane agreeably tc
''my orders, wishing to bring his infantry
"the ID Indiana Regiment within striking
''distance. ordered his line to moveforwsrd.-
''This order was duly obeyed by Lieutenan
"O'Brien. The infantry, however,-the q
/, "Regiment, instead of advancing, retired il
'.disorder; and in spite of the utmost effort o
'their General and his officers, left The ar;ille
''ry,-0 Brien's-unsupported, fed the field Q
ssbattle Some of them were rallied by Col
''Bowles. who, with the fragment, fell in tn
franks Of the Mississippi Rif1emen, and durin
.'the day did good service with the regiment
81 deeply regret to say that most Of them di
''not return to the field, and many Of them con
: ''tinucd their fight to Saltilto.
: Compare the above language of Gen. Woo
with what Gen. TAYLOR said, and see which
the strongest. Has Gen. Wool ever correcte
his report TO Gen. TAYLOR? No, NeUer!
Gen. LANE being an lndianian, and beln
in the immediate command of the I'd Regimen
;, it is important we should know what he sale
J, Well, here it Isl. In his report, bearing da
, February 25th, 1915, to Gen. Taylor, Gener