Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1848-07-13
General Zachary Taylor versus the In
diana Wing Convention OF iS4S.


"ResoIred That the cloud which rested for time upon
the fame of the ID Indiana Regiment but added TO their
honor inviting scrutiny into its conduct when mas
have been brave and dluness IN battle though
greatly in action by Of the lneompeteney VI
its commander"
This is one of the regular resolutions of the Wing
Convention which met at Indianapolis in January
last.
The State of Indiana felt deeply mortified at the
frequent charges of cowardce made against the Sc
cond Regiment Immediately after the battle OF bu-
ena Vista Nor was this modification at oil lessened
until the report of the Court Of Enquiry finally ac-
Quilted the second Regiment of this charge, and
showed that they "brave and dauntless In bat
tle." There only one thing remaining. And
that was, an acknowledgment by Gen. Taylor of the
facts, which upon the sworn testimony of numerous
witnesses before the court, were fully established.
The Democratic State Convention which met at In
dianapos on the 9Th of January last called the aen-
ton Of General Taylor o-this matter by resolution,
but this did not elicit a reply. The Legislature of
the State likewise attempted pass resolutions vim
dicatory Of the honor OF her sons but in the latter
case, every obstacle thrown in the way OF its
accomplishment by the wing party, Who were more
intent on auding the General, because he was sup
posed have predictions for whiggery, than
they were in vinGicaiing the horor of the State
Nevertheless, the leaders Of the wing party, anticl
pating the nomination of the General, and knowing
that his report of our Volunteers, unless something
could be said by him to soften it in some respects
would prove insurmouniabe TO his success felt some
anxiety to see the matter cleared up. Therefore,
John ID. Defrees, Editor of the State Journal, and
principal secretary of the convention which passed
the resolution declaring that the scrutiny into the
conduct of the I'd Regiment "had shown them to be
brave and dauntless in bate took occasion to trans
nit to the old Hero, copy of of those soft
der resolutions, drawn up by whg senator who
himself had fled the field of battle, and who was
more intent on praisng the General than in ylndlcat-
ing his own honor Mr. Defrees has seen fit to
publish his letter to the General, but ii seems from
the Generals letter to him, that Mr.. Defrecs inform
ed him that the impression was current that his re-
port of the battle of Buena Vista had done marked
injustice to the 2nd Regiment of Indiana troops"
Now reader, what answer did Mr.. Defrees expect
Why, most certainly, something like the resolution
which the whig convention had passed few weeks
before-that the honor of the ID Regiment had been
amply indicated by the Court of Enquiry-thut they
had rereated in consequence of the ''incompetency
of their commander" who had ordered them, three
several times firing and retreat-and that
they had nearly all rallied and had shown themselves
to be "brave and dauntless in battle" But so.
Hear him:
have oaIy say nothing has been developed sub
sequenty of that report change it.
|; founded upon my personal observation on the
and would that all might have been WELL had not ma
ny officers agtated subject greatly to
hjuIe the regiment. and involve the ced oil the State,
which very much regret"
i hv Tav in N verv
uncourteous manner, too, of all the ISLANDERS of the
Volunteers of the ID Regiment, and likewise de-
caration that the scrutiny into the matter referred
to by the wing convention, had greatly injured the
credit Of the State.
Another effort to clear up the matter, more, how
ever, the with Defrees, for the benefit of
the General than the honor of the State attempt
ed by George G. Dunn, M. c., who not having the
benefit of a personal acquaintance, ''avaed himself
of the kindness of an introduction through the dis
tinguished and excellent friend of Gen. Taylor. Hon.
j. J. Crttenden." 1t was no doubt presumed that
the united influence of these honoFables would at
least effect something MIR. Dunn out by invit-
ing the Generals attention to the reports Of his SUBJ
ordnates, 10 see whether the whole blame cannot be
saddled ON 10. Lane Gen. Wool, and after arriv-
ing 1T this conclusion he recolecls that the Court OF
5 Enquiry as well as Gen. Lanes supplementary re-
port, have shown the I'd Regiment "to have been
brave and dauntless in battle - but something
be DONE or Indiana is lost to the honest hearted old
General Thence the suggestion of this M. c. gen.
tleman, of which the old General gladly avails him.
SELF that these proceedings had never been officially
communicated to the General, and therefore he was
not bound to notice them. But the General does not
stop here. but in the very outset reairms in almost
the very same language in his letter TO Defrees
that nothing had been developed to affect the accuracy
of his report. He goes further and declares
that "he as forbearng Tin his official reporD in
narrating the conduct of the I'd Indiana Regiment
was possible to be, under the solemn duty render
exact Justice to all engaged in the BATTLE &c. Thus
has every effort proved abortive, prevail this
honest old soldier to admit, unoficiolly even, wha,
was so concusively proven before the Court of En-.
quiry. IN every letter which has been written by
him, he has added insult to injury. He has not only
slandered the volunteers, but has made direct thrust
at the character of the State. He has not only
affirmed the errors of his report, but has gone far be-
yond and declared that the ID Regiment most proba-
bly, retreated through punc-a word fully synonymous
> with cowardice. 1.-The Court of Enquiry grew out,
he says, 'of private animoses among the soldiers
that it was inexpedent-that 10. Lanes supplement-
airy report not report, and only seen in nelos
: paper. Therefore, neither the proceedings of the
Court of Enquiry, the report of Gen. Lane,
to be received evidence in the slightest degree
To show the honesty of Gen. Taylor in this matter
it will only be necessary 10 place in uxaposition the
proceedings of the Court of Enquiry and his report
and what he has added to that report in his letters
: Dunn and Defrees
Opinions of the Court. Tdyior's official Report
alt appears from The evil Supplemental Report TO De
ldence before the court that frees and Dunn.
Bowles gave the order, "The ID Indiana Regimen