Indiana State sentinel., 1848-05-04

OPINION OF the Court OF Inquiry In the OF COL
Bowles, were not sent to him. He has examined the
records, but he does state whether the records
referred to complete or title records or merely
the record of the date and number of the ORDERS &c.,
forwarded to his headquarters. The facts and opin-
ions OF the Courts of Inquiry in the two cases were
embraced in orders No. 279 and No. 2S1 issued and
approved by Brig. Gen. Wool The proceedings of
the above named Courts of course, embrace the re-
corded minutes.
CD This sentence shows that doubt still hangs over
the matter. We have it from authority entitled to
credit that the facts and opinions of the Courts of In
quiry referred to, sent to Gen. Taylor by Gen.
Wool II is quito probable that Maj. Bliss received
them and knowing that Gen. Taylor was opposed to
ordering Courts of Inquiry in the referred to.
did not proper to submit the papers him, and
perhaps he did not even record the number of the or
ders.
(S) We shall raise no question to the correct
ness of this position. We would remark, however,
that at the time this report made its appearance in
the newspapers, there a much greater necessity
for an immediate publication than have report
pass through the different grades Of higher ranks and
be sent to the War Department, before being made
public. At that time the press of the South and East
teemed with SANDER upon Indiana, and immediate
untidoe needed to arrest the effect of the poison
(9) Gen. Taylor attempts TO excuse himself on the
assumption that Gen. Lane made no official report after
the finding of the Court of Inquiry. 1t srlct
y within Gen. Lanes line of duty to make an official
report to Gen. Wool predcated the facts and opin-
ions of the Courts of Inquiry. What are the duties
of General in relation to making reportsi 1t is his
duty to make report in relation to the conduct of has
o,I and T..
strictly proper for Gen. Lane to make any correction
to bis report until his conduct as well as the conduct
of COL Bowles, and the I'd regiment, submitted
to the investigation of Courts of Inquiry. The Courts
Of Inquiry took all matters relating to the reputation
Of the I'd regiment out of his hands, and the fate of
that regiment hung upon the facts and opinions that
might be brought forth. Both Courts of Inquiry
convened by orders of Gen. Wool held at his encamp-
ment the facts and opinions were reported TO him,
approved by him, and issued by him. Gen. Wool
was officer superior in rank to Gen. Lane hence
Courts Of Inquiry convened by the order Of the former
were entirely removed from the command of the lat
ter 1t would have been ridiculous for Gen. Lane step
above his official authority, and dictate to Gen. Wool
corrections based the result Of the Courts of In
quiry, convened under his (Gen. Wool's) authority
Gen. Lane had nothing to do with the facts and opn-
ions of the Courts Of Inquiry any further than to pub
lish them to the troops under his command. They
were communicated to Gen. Lane from superior
officer and to report back their substance to the
officer, would have been to trae with him, pre-sup-
posing that he ignorant of what actually come
from his headquarters. Gen. Wool, by officially ap-
proving the facts and opinions Of the Courts of In
quiry, virtually corrected his official report. II might
be proper for him to make some further correction
but all communications to tho War Department, COR
rections Of official papers, &C., according to prece
den must pass up through the higher grades Of rank
until it reaches the commander -n-chef who forwards
them direct to the War Department. Gen. Wool's
headquarters the starting point Of the facts and
opinions of the Courts Of Inquiry; and the only way
they could reach the War Department and effect the
object desired, by taking the regular in
accordance with military etiquette.
! Q0) The facts and opinions (not the "proceed-
ings") Of the Courts Of Inquiry in the of Gen.
Lane and Col Bowles, which were approved by Gen.
WOOL should have been considered sufficient evidence
to make the corrections desired.
I'D In regard to this matter, it is proper TO state
that Gen. Lane with the I'd regiment during the
whole day, and had good an opportunity to observe
the movements as any of its field officers. However,
il would have been proper for him to have called upon
Col. Lane for a report Immediately after the battle,
because his regiment was detached from the I'd reg-
ment part of the day.
(12) This amounts TO an invitation TO Col. Bowles
to come out and help Gen. Taylor in his discourse up
on "pancs" TO criminate Gen. Lane, and take issue
against the Courts of Inquiry. Gen. Taylor is a
pretty bird to talk about the custom of the service,
when he invites COL Bowes to disregard the Gus
tom of the service and report direct to him. Accord
ing to all military precedent Col. Bowes should
port to Gen. Wool. 1t should then be forwarded to
Gen. Taylor, and by him to the War Department
(l3) "Hold our hat" II is said that old Zack
can't be fooled; but COL Bowles has certainly pulled
the wool over his eyes this time; but he can't come
the command only until he received bis commission.
1t is true Col. Bowles visited Indiana but that visit
had nothing to do with establishing his claim to the
command of the I'd regiment. He had received his
commission and taken command Of his regiment be-
fore he left the camp for Indiana.
14) "Forbearing," indeed To makes more un-
favorable report of the conduct Of the Indanans than
any other officer is called forbearng" The asser-
ton of the General amounts to nothing less than
declaration that the Indanians behaved porse than re-
ports represented them, but he in his generosity was
"iorbearing" We ask for none of his forbearance.
We only ask for justice and truth.
y (l5) "Try that maneuvre again." Soff-sod-
der; but it won't take. Major Bliss is out. sure! A
little attery will not eradicate oft repeated acts of