The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-03-14


on soKTH CAROLINA.
~ M B,rnbuyv. restitution a., relation 10 Removals.
from Office delivered IN lis Seaa's Monday january
q. 1851
Mr. MANGUM saio. Mr. Prseident. this resolution
was introduced originally, think, more man WE'VE
,non,bs ayo and has given rise 10 much debate fof
my sell. do moi hesitate TO say thai nave hsse n1 h
much respect these mere partisan discussions. lh,
however, unfortunately and inadvertently peoo"e eh
N connected with this quesonso much SO DIS 10 fende
necessary for 10 address the Senate ies'es ,s
for few days ago was 80 unfortunate $50. 80 ",as,
saa accident which has caused much physical sumo,
ing If did not feel mysef obliged to be hee' snouu
al this moment be in my bed An issue OF lac, Was
made upon few remarks which, wilhou, p,e.'es ,"
hon made the other day and deem IL due % my
self and the fairness with which | endeavor always
TO act towards Others, 10 show that ihe remarks neh
made upon general Impressions are fully ana thooug
" sustained by the highest and most lncontrovenoie
hope shall not be tedious for shall condense the
information which propose TO lay before he Senate anu
the country as far as is consistent with It's documentary
character. ,
said the other day. when took occasion e make
very few remarks that General Taylor, IN his ohcal
communication to the War Departmental reference TO me
second Indiana regiment at the battle OF buena VISTA
had done nothing more than was aosoi9'eiy MS duty
that he could not have done less that all ne commun
Gated was based nformation which was gwen 70 mn
by his subordinate officers and that It was exactly 10
accordance with that information except where anyn
like apprehension was necessary, which ne employed
much more gently than his subordinales lnal was my
first proposition The other that Cen Taylor owed
the respect due to his friends to remove any man irons
so high and responsible position as that occupied by
General Lane, who had alleged, under the impress
sons then entertained mpeached not only his fairness
but his veracily | held that this constituted cause
enough without reference 10 any diversity OF political
opinions, or any question touching his competency or
had been appointed regard this true, that there is
office Of that grade in the gilt Of the Executive OF the
United States which not be filled with as much aoll
ty as possessed by Gen Lane, by hundreds q men
ia the Union, who would satisfactorily discharge, all
the duties required of them That being the case, an
individual in such an Office shall assail the honor me
fairness the integrity, and the veracity OF the Chief Elk
ecutive Magistrate of this Union, he ought to De put
aside 1t due 10 the respect for that majority who put
him in the place that such an officer should be removed
the duties Of the Office.
These are the two points that have to maintain |
shall detain the Senate little time possible in making
them out But in doing SO il becomes necessary, the
beginning to see what report Gen Taylor made to the
War Department
battle Of Busna Vista. dated March 8. s47 1t is to be
found in executive document No of the first session OF
the 3oh Congress In speaking of the second Indiana
regiment, he said
Lane ordered artillery and second Indiana regiment
forward The artillery within musket range of
it great effect but without being able check its ad
The infantry ordered to its support had fallen back
RI call the attention of the Senate to this word ordered
for criticism has been made upon that, and General
Taylor has been charged with unarness because he put
that word into his report
The infantry ordered TO it's support had fallen back in
disorder being well the battery, only
fire OF small from the front, but also 10
terry on the lett Captain O'Brien found impossible
retain his position without support. but was only able TO
third piece being killed dsnbled The second
Indiana regiment which had fallen back stated could
be rallied, and took further part In the action,
cept handful Of who. under its gallant Colonel
Bowes. joined the Mississippi regiment and did good
| and thnxa nhn at lNfP
Vista"
The leading facts here stated in relation to the second
Indiana regiment follows, to wit
First That Gen. Lane ordered the regiment forward.
Second That failed 10 obey The ORDER and fell back
Third: That il was exposed to severe fire OF small arms
from the front, and murder0us cross fire OF grape and
| canister from Mexican battery on the lett.
Fourth That the egment could not be again rallied
and as regiment, took further part in the action
Fifth: That handful OF men joined the Mississippi
| regiment and did good service.
Sixth That portion OF the fugitives at later period
in the day, assisted defending the train and depot al
| Buena Vista
Gen Taylor OF course based these statements upon the
facts him in the reports OF his inferior
officers. We will whether, from the opinions laid
before him by the subordinate officers, be not
ranied in the OF thus language lie could neither have
said less. And hrs will read from the repori
OF Gen. Lane himselthe gentleman who has called in
question the veIacy OF the late President OF The UHitcd
States.
4
is dated February 25 is47he third day after the battle.
After speaking OF his having put his columns in motion
to meet the enemy. and his artley under Lieut. OBren,
well the infantry, having returned the fire OF the
enemy gallant manner for time, he states
that he found himself Tar from the enemy that his
muskes would take that deadly effect which he de-
sired, and that he directed OBnen place his battery
advanced position, with the determination of adj
vancing his whole line. He proceeds;
"By this time the enemy's fire of musketry aud The
aking fire OF ball and OF their posted
Hank, had become terrible and
stead Of advancing, ordered regret say fet
n disorder from their po.ion ing my
and the efforts OF my officers prevent them "
desire to call the attention OF the Senate to the fac,
that Gen Lane says his infantry refused 10 advance az
they ordered" because the sequel will show
great deal turns on that word ordered"
Gen. Lane again, speaking OF the second regiment
says;
"A few Of them, regret say, did re,srn to the
field at all BY this apparent success, the enemy
ciated snd poured down the side the on
the lett of the field, their thousands OF nfany
and anccs aud formed themselves in good order along
fronting perpendiculary 10 where lines had
been posted AT this critical uncture the M reU
pent, under the command oi Col Davis, arrived the
field and being joined by OF the second Indians
enemy gallant style, and, ter severe aud
bloody engagement, repulsed them with great loss"
Again
THIS repuso discouraged the enemy and the M ssis
sppl regiment and part the second Indians being Joined
by the third Indiana regiment" &c.
Again
The second regiment Of my command which opened
the battle the plain such gallant STYLE
passing remA.k shall attempt 10 make no apology for
their Tor II their duty stand die TO the In
man. until they received orders retire but desire 10