Indiana State sentinel., 1851-02-13
Gen. Lanes military services.

No officer during the Mexican War, won for himself
more fame or by his skill and yaor contributed more to
the of the American arms in that conflict. than
did the subject of this notice He entered the service
private Was elected Colonel by his regiment and
few DAYS afterwards appointed Brigadier General
by President Polk He had no military experience;
had hostile army. He had every thing to
learn, with but few opportunities for study But unlike
many others, he sought information wherever it
be found He was not too proud to take instruction from
his interiors in rank, who had enjoyed the benefits OF
military training and education In short time he be-
came thorough tactician. His army loved him, be-
cause he always ready to lead them where duty
called and to defend them when assaiied or unustly
treated He was followed by train of hired letter
writer's whose business it 10 puff their employers
into notice. The goal Of his ambition his
country. His first military engagement Buena
Vista At the rising Of the he brought the batle
opposed by fearful odds Wounded in the early part oil
the engagement he still remained his horse covered
with blood and the dust Of the field, until the conflict
ceased But for the unfortunate retreat of COL Bowes
regiment, he would have repulsed the enemy at that
point and saved many valuable lives. We are warran-
ted in this assertion by the official report of Gen. Santa
Anna, made to his government. Although he received
the commentators, of his commanding General yet
justice done him. He should have been bre-
veted with the rank of Major General for his valor
We warranted in making this declare ,on by the
mission of President Polk to the writer of this article.
During the remainder of the war; his more
brilliant. On the line from Vera Cruz to Mexico, he
had an independent command and was the first officer
that completely routed and dispersed the Guerrlas
For this service he was breye'ed with the rank of
- II
from him; and what was still more credtable he won
the confidence and of the whole army, from the
commanding General down the humblest soldier that
marched in the ranks. He every where known as
the MARION OF THE ARMY" The following
concentrations from the reports of the Secretary of
War:
Extract from the report Of the Secretary Of Var of
December 2 lS47.
''Alter the Mexican army was so signally defeated
and driven from the city of Mexico General Santa An
determined to try his fortune in another field. With
force OF four thousand men and SIX pieces OF artillery
he prepared for attack the train ad troops which
Brigadier Genl Lane conducting the head quar-
ers Of the army Apprzed OF this design and learning
that the enemy was at Huamantla, General Lane pro-
ceeded the 9th OF October, with considerable de-
tachment. attack him and disperse his troops The
encounter between this detachment and the enemy
brilliant the conduct of officers and sustained
the high character which they have every where won
Snce the commencement Oi Inc enterprise
carried with complete success. The force un-
der General Santa Anna Dispersed of his can
captured; of his aids de camp made pris-
oners and the city of Huamantla taken.
Being informed that considerable force of the ene-
my at Atxco under General Rea's comm and
General Lane resolved to strike them. The execu-
ton OF his design required long and tedious march it
performed in hghly credtable manner; the ene-
my encountered routed and pursued to a consider
able distance with loss Of hundred and nineteen
killed, and three hundred wounded and the city of At
xco captured For the details Of these very successful
operations and the instances OF Individual courage and
conduct the part of officers and SOL
ders, respectfully refer you the report of General
Lane herewith transmitted
Extract from the Report Of the Secretary Of War,
Dec 1st 184S
'On the evening of the 22d of November, General
Lane moved from Puebla with command of only one
hundred and sixty men, upon Metamoras, distant about
fifty four miles, In twelve hours. The place was mme.
dately attacked and the enemy, consisting Of from four
hundred six hundred men, put flight, with loss OF
from sixty eighty in killed and wounded. A quantity
OF ordnance and munitions captured, and twenty
one American prisoners liberated On its way back to
Puebla, the detachment attacked by a Mexican
force of about five hundred men, under General Rea
After short conflict, the enemy routed and dis
persed sustaining further loss of about y in killed
and wounded.
In January, expedition, composed of four compa.
MES of Texan rangers, two companies of Sd Dragons
and OF the mounted rifle regiment all under the
command oil General Lane sent out from the CITY
las from the roads" Having ascertained that Santa An
ma with few regular troops, and considerable irreg.
ular force Tehuacan the detachment moved rap
idly on and took possession Of that place So sudden
its approach, that Santa Anna had barely time to
save himself by a preciptate fight. The expedition
pressed TO Orzaba and Cordova and took
Of these towns capturing quantity of public property,
and releasing number of American prisoners After
remaining short time, and restoring to the pri
property there deposited which had been seized by
guerrilla bands il returned the main column of our ar
my in the city of Mexico, the 9th of February. On
the l7th of the same month"; General Lane led another
detachment consisting of two hundred and fifty Texan
rangers and hundred and thirty dragons Of the 81
regiment, against the guerrias who inestng the
country lying North and Northeast of the city of Mexi
co. On the 25th, he encountered body of the enemy
at Sequalteplan and after conflict the town
taken and the hostile forces dispersed with loss
of hundred and fifty killed and than fifty pris.
onersD
''The command Of General Lane, on these occasions.
displayed much enterprise, spirit and gaantry. HIS in.
teresting reports, with the documents accompanying
them, are hereto appended"
Convention.
IT