Evansville weekly journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 184?-18??, 1848-04-13
From the Indiana State JOurnal.l
GENERAL TAYLoR-THE SECOND IND

i ANA RE1EMENI. 5l~-
In the Spring of 1916 the gallant little army
under Gen. TAYLOR was ordered TO take its po-
'sitiou within the State of. Tamanlipas, oppo-
site Matamoras. Fort Brown was erected
with view of holding that city under the
command of their guns. 1t was dependant
upon the post at Point Isabel for supplies
The Mexicans crossed the Rio Grande, in great
force, for the purpose of cutting off all comniu-
nication with that place. The stores Of Point
Isabe were in great danger, and Gen. Taylor
determined to remove them to Fort Brown.
Leaving men sufficient to defend the Fort, he
proceeded on the perilous enterprise.
When knowledge of the danger which sur
rounded his little army reached the U. States
the greatest anxiety existed to know its fate.
Every mail from the South was looked for with
1 the utmost Impotence. At length the news
of the victories of the 9Th and 9th of May was
received. The skill and bravery of Gen. TAY-
LoR received the praise and commentator of
the whole people.
He was directedby the President to 90 further
into Mexico. After desperate battle, Monte
rey was taken. Here was exhibited one Of the
prominent traits of the old Hero's character.
The spirit of humanity, ever cherished feel
ing Of his bosom, prompted him to spare the
effusion of the blood of women and children.
An armistice was accordingly entered into and
the Mexican army retired from the city.
The battle of Buena Vista was fought The
American army, although opposed by four
times its number, was again victorious Again
throughout the whole nation, did the people
accord all honor and praise to the war-worn
veteran who directed the movements of that
noble and invincible army
The eyes of the people could not but be di-
rected toward one who had accomplished so
much. His whole procedure gave evidence of
the possession OF "a strong mind and an honest
heart. In short time his name was mention
ed in connection with the presidency. He
had never been in political life, and his views
in relation to measures of national policy were
not generally known. He was claimed by
each of the great political parties and each, on
many occasions, united in recommending him
as a suitable person to fill the Presidential
chair. 1-t SD iu
At length some of the leaders of the Demo-
cratic party, knowing him to be Wing, and
= too honest to subserve their purposes, com
menced denouncing him. An attempt was
f made by that party in Congress to withhold
the vote of thanks usually rendered TO the
commanders of our armies when victorious.
= ,,1- 4lo T.
view, is that now making, in this State to Gre
ate impression that he did the second Indiana
Regiment the marked injustice in his official
account of the battle of Buena Vista.
Let US see what he did say about in that re-
port. We find the following:
Sin order to bring his in effective range, Gen.
Lane ordered the artillery and ID Indiana regiment
forward The artillery advanced within musket
range of heavy body of Mexican infantry, and was
served against with great effect, but without being
able check its advance. The infantry ordered to
its support had fallen back i'll disorder being exposed
as we'll as the battery, not only to severe fire of
small arms from the front, but also to murderous
cross fire of grape and canester from Mexican bat
terry the left Captain OBrien found it impossi-
bic to retain his position without support, but
ses and cannoneers of the third piece being killed
disabled. The ID Indiana regiment, which had fall
len back as stated could not be rallied, and took no
farther part in the action except handful of men,
who, under its gallant colonel, Bowles, joined the
! Mississippi regiment and did good service and those
ugitiyes who at later period in the day. assisted in
defending the train and depot Buena Vista. This
portion of our line having given way and the enemy
J halr lpffl
flank, the light troops which had rendered such good
service on the mountain were compelled to withdraw
which they did, for the most part in good order
Many, however, were not rallied until they reached
the depot at Buena VISTA to the defence of which
they afterwards contibated'
Now is this true or false? If true was it not
the duty of the commanding officer TO state ii
or was it his duty to report falsehood? That
it is true we have the testimony of Gems. LANE
and Wool, who speak from personal observa-
ton. Gen. LANE, in his official report to Gen.
Wool, says; My infantry, (the I'd regiment
instead of advancing, as intended, Iregret to
say, retired in some disorder from their position,
Notwithstanding my own and the severe efforts
of my officers to prevent them" And, again, |
in another part of the report, he says:
1.-The ID regiment under my command which open
ed the battle on the plain, in such gallant STYLE de-
serves passing remark shall attempt to make no
apology for their retreat for twas their duty to stand
or die to the last until they received orders to
retire; but desire call your attention to one fact
connected with this affair. They remained in their
position in line receiving the fire of 5000 or 40o0 in
antry in front, exposed the time on the left
flank to most desperate raking fire from the eney's
battery, posted within Point-bank shot, until they
had deliberately discharged t0ety rounds ofcatgidges
at the enemy" m
/ Gen. Wool, brave and gallant officer, sec
ond in command, and whose veracity cannot |
be impeached, in his official report to General
Taylor, makes the following statement:
I'm connection with this movement, heavy col
umn OF the enemys infantry and cavalry and the
battery the side of the mountain moved again st
our left, which held by Brig Gen. Lanei with
the I'd Indiana regiment, and Lieut.. o. Brien's arte
Cen LAMP ahlv IN my orders wishing 10