The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-24
For the Southern Press
Gen. Joseph Lane.-His Services.

The writer of this article has lust seen a
pamphlet purporting to be biography of Jo-
seph Lane, in which the author, commencing
with the nativity of his subject, endeavors to
trace down infinitely and definitely al! the
varied and valuable services of this gallant old
officer. This pamphlet, although strictly clear
in point of facts, is sadly deficient in all those
requisites which make history worth reading
the dates and occurrences are all briefly and
truly quoted, whilst everything relating to mo-
tire, reason or result, is most carefully avoided.
comprehend fully the injustice Of permitting
Il brave and good man to suffer from such omis
sions, and it having been my good fortune to
carry sabre under the General in several of his
actions, | thus endeavor TO repair this uninten-
tional wrong
But three officers of the United States army
ever enjoyed the privilege of commanding in a
fair stand-up struggle with the Mexican general.
Santa Anna. These were Taylor, Scott and
Lane.
In the action at Buena Vista, the first at which
the President commanded in person, Brigadier
General Lane opened the battle with his own
command; and the action at Huamantla, which
was the last in which Santa Anna was personally
engaged, was planned and fought entirely under
the orders and superintendent of Gen. Lane.
1t is upon this action at Huamantla that I
wish more particularly to dwell, conscious that
but very few persons in the country have any
conception Of its brilliant character and most
important results.
Up to the period of General Lanes arrival at
Perote, the Mexican general, although defeated
in every action, had still considerable force at
his disposal, and was most untiring in his eff
forts to impede the progress Of the conquest.
During his investment of the American garrison
at Puebla, he commanded eight thou'and men,
and the almost daily dispatches from Colonel
Chlds to Colonel Wynkoop, proved how terri
bly, effective his unceasing attacks bad been
upon that small but devoted body. 1t was at this
juncture when the besieged, weakened by large
list of killed and wounded, and strnlened bv
the absence OF provisions were at the last ex-
tremity, that General Lane arrived at the Castle
of Perote. Here being Informed of the peril
Gus situation of the garrison, at the earnest so
licitation of their commander, he took with him
all the troops which could be spared from that
point, and, leaving his disabled and sick behind
him, stretched out rapidly on the Gamma Real
! in the direction of Puebla. Having arrived at
the hacienda of San lsidro, about IS miles from
Puebla, he halted on the afternoon of October
8th and put his men in camp The celebrated
pass of Pina was in advance of him distance
of IA miles, and from information received on
the road he had every reason to expect the cne-
my at that point Immediately upon his arrival
at this place he sent out his scouts TO ascertain
the whereabouts of Santa Anna, and superin.
tended the preparations for an action, which, with
all of up, was understood to be inevitable
| Early the next morning (Oct. % the General
put his troops in drill, and made his dispositions
for the coming struggle. During the night he
had learned that Santa Anna was not at the
pass, but had moved back towards him, upon a
road leading directly from the Venta del Pinal
to Huamautla. He also learned that consid.
cradle force, with several pieces of artillery,
We're stationed at the latter place; and with a
sagacity which proved his wisdom, he had al
ready resolved upon attacking Huamantla, ex.
pecting certainly to draw Santa Anna into a
general action. The result was wholly as he
desired At the first demonstration upon Hua-
manila, Santa Anna left his position, which was
in village about three miles from San Isdro,
and fastened, with his whole force, to possess
the town before our troops could reach it. In
this attempt he was foed, and the action, first
opened by Walker, being carried on vigorously
by German on the left, and Wynkoop on the
right, soon resulted in the complete and precp-
tate retreat of HE whole force towards Tlascala
Thus, without enumerating detailed events,
was the battle of Huamanta commenced and
finished, and now for the result IL was the last