The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1848-08-26


From the Indiana State Journal
GEN. TAYLOR AND THE SECOND REGI-
MENT-AGAlN.
Il is now contended that, notwithstanding
Gen. TAYLOR was perfectly justifiable in say
ing all that he did say in relation to the retreat
of the Second Regiment, yet, he ought now to
correct this report to conform TO the facts found
by the Court of Inquiry. That we may know
what those facts are, read the decision Of that
Court:
Inquiry in the cnsc of Gen. Lane-Facts.
That al the battle of Buena Vista, on the 23rd
Of February, Gen. Lane commanded the I'd and
81 regiments of Indiana volunteers; that on
the 23d he was in immediate command of the
I'd regiment of Indiana volunteers and three
pieces of artillery under the command of Lieut..
D Brien and the I'd Indiana volunteers re-
treated from the field without any orders from
Gen. Lane, on the 23d of February; but thro'
the exertions of Gen. Lane and other officers.
from one hundred and fifty to two hundred
men of the I'd regiment Of Indiana volunteers
were rallied and attached 10 the Mississippi
regiment and the Sd Indiana regiment, and re-
NAMED with them on the field Of battle dur
ing the remainder Of the fight.
Opinion.-The court are of opinion that du-
ring the whole period Of the 22d and 23d of
February, lS47. Brig. Gen. Lane conducted
himself as brave and gallant officer; and that
no censure is attached TO him for the retreat
of the I'd regiment of the Indiana volun-
teers.
Inquiry in the case of Col. BoTlcs.-In re-
ference TO the first charge, it appears from the
hat III loc - Mt of ha
company, battalion. and brigade drills, and
that the maneuvre of the evening of the 23d
February, indicated in the third specification
of that charge. was indicative of an ignorance
Of the battalion drill.
In relation TO the second charge, it appears
from the evidence before the court, that Col.
Bowles gave the order, cease firing and re-
treat;" that Gen. Lane was present, and that
he had no authority from Gen. Lane to give
such an order.
1t also appears that Coli Bowles reiterated
after having given the aforesaid command; but
that he did not shamefully run away from the
enemy, nor did he hide himself in any ra-
vine from the enemy, or from the regiment.
1t appears, too, that Col. Bowles dismount-
ed from his horse in the rear Of his regiment;
but there is no evidence to show that he did
SO to to protect himself from the enemy.
The court find that the fact of Col. Bowles
having given the order above mentioned. did
induce the regiment to retreat in disorder.
Col. Bowles gave this order with the inten-
ton of making the regiment leave its position;
but the court does not find that he had been
particularly ordered to maintain and defend
it.
Opinion.-With ference to the first charge
the court is Of the opinion that Col. Bowles is
To-, t<sft h. e n. ~
would remark that ill-health has in some de-
gree prevented him from fitting himself for the
duties of that Office.
The court is Of opinion that at the time Col.
Bowles gave the order retreat" he was under
the impression that the artillery had retreated
when in fact the battery had gone to an adj
vanced position under the orders of Gen. Lane
which order had not been communicated 10
Col. Bow!es.
And, in conclusion, the court find that
throughout the engagement, and through the
whole day, Col. BOwles evinced no want OF
personal courage or bravery; but that he did
manifest want Of judgment as a command
err"
A commanding officer can only correct his
report from additional facts presented to him
in an official manner. He can no more do il
on mere rumor than cana Judge on the bench en-
ter up judgmentupon hearsay testimony. He
must have something before him upon which
to base his correction. In this instance he has
had nothing upon which TO found his correc-
ton.
Neither Gen. Wool, Gen. LANE, or Colonel
DAVIS ever corrected their reports. They re-
NAMED on file in The War Department, un-
corrected. The proceedings of the Court OF
Inquiry were never communicated to General
Taylor. He never saw them except in news.
paper publication; and yet, he is abused be-
cause he has not corrected his report, and not
a word is said because the other officers have
not corrected their reports! Is this dealing ex,
act justice to all men? 1t is true, Gen. Lane
published in the newspapers what he calls his
supplemental report, but why was it not laid
before Gen. Taylor in an official manner?-
Why was the decision of the court of Inquiry
not laid before him? For the honor of those
whose duty it was TO submit these matters to
him, We hope il may be found that it was not
done for the purpose Of preventing his doing
that which he is now denounced for not do
ing.
Gen. Taylor, in his letter to MIR. Dunn, says
he is yet willing to receive any reports which
may exculpate this regiment. Had the deci-
sion ofthe Court of Inquiry been submitted to
him at the proper time, the correction would
long since have been made. Let the blame
rest on those who are guilty, and not upon
Gen. Taylor who has done only what his duty
requires him to do.
flhe I'd lndiapa regiment has been SANDER
ed ~ ha has sland ered ID We answar Gan