Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-10-12
The Standard.

LANE, TslE MARION OF THE ,MEAlCAN
WAR .
Josenh tars was born in North-C Carolina, on the
14tb of Bcceapbcr. 1901. In 1904 his father mgra-
ted to the west, and settled in Henderson county,
Kentucky Thence in the year 1876, his son went
into Warwick county, Indiana, where he became
u9drk in mercantile house, position IN wnicn nc
remained some years. Having marr'ca ana iAeo
his abode as he then thought for LIE, IN IN eroerS
county, young Lane soon gained sne e ,sao
esteem of the people, and Mt the election OF io22
was chosen by the voters of that county and War
wick a member of the Indiana Legislature. lie was
barely eligible when he took his seat, and though
at that early aye "a man Of family" he seems, from
the accounts of his contemporaries, to have present
ed at his entrance into public life the appearance OF
quite juvenile Legislator. Hon. Oliver Ii. smth,
for several years United States Senator, ana
political opponent of Gen. Lane in work recently
published thus described his appearance at the
ovening of the Legislature, of which body ne him.
self was also new member: 1.-The rocalling pro-
crossed as | stood by the side of the clerk The
county of vanderberg and Warwick said the clerk
saw advancing slender frcckle-faced boy, IN APP
pearance eighteen or twenty years OF age: marx
ed his step as he up to my side, and have often
noticed his air since: it was Gen. Lane of Mexican
and Oregon fame in after year,"
The youthful representative of Nander6erg ana
Warwick was subsequently frequently reelected by
the voters of those counties and continued to serve
Them at intervals of two years, In one or the
other branch of the Legislature from the year 1872
to 1916, period of twenty-four years. 10 any one
who knows the fidelity of General Lane to the high
and responsible public trusts confded to him during
the last twelve years it is needless to say that as
member of the Indiana Legislature, he was vlgllant
active, and efficient Tenacious OF the rights, and
jealous to promote the interests of his constituents
he was at the same time just and liberal in his views
on all questions affecting the rights and interests OF
other portions of the State. At time when 1t was
thought that Indiana, over-burdcned with debt
would be compelled to repudiatc, he lahored until
ringv to save the State from this deep disgrace and
had the satisfaction at last of seeing his efforts
crowned with success. Always capable of express
ing his views clearly and forcibly on every subject
of legislation, Gen. Lane justly thought that too
much of the time of all legislative bodies was con-
sumed in idle and improbable debate. lie accord
ingly did not obtrnde his opinions on the body of
which be was a member, on all OCCASIONS whether
suitable or unsuitable; but strove to discharge his
legislative duties in way which, if not quite so os
tentatious he well knew was far more creditable to
himself and useful to his constituents
An ardent supporter of the administration OF
Gen. jackson and Martin Van Buren, as long as the
latter followed in the footsteps of his ilustrlous
predecessor" Gen. Lane took an active part in the
struggles between the Democratic and old Wing
parties, and by his great weight of character and
frequent and laborlouS canvassing he infused
spirit like his own into the Democracy of his State.
In the spring of 1S46 the war commenced between
the United States and Mexico and a call was made
upon Indiana for volunteers. Among the first to
respond to this call was Joseph Lane. Without
waiting for a commission from the President, re-
gardess of every consideration of selfintercst or
lool,sn nnl, fo fha f.ptt
his country required his services he enlisted as
private in Capt. Walkers company I'd Regiment of
Indiana Volunteers. His feow-Soldcrs, however,
had no idea of permitting to remain in the ranks,
one whom nature had obviously endowed with
the qualities Of a commander. He was accordingly,
on the completion of the Regiment, unanimously
elected Colonel. Soon after, on the recommended
ton Of the Indiana delegation in Congress, and
without any solicitation on his part President Polk
sent him a commission of Brigadier- General
The first service, if service it can be called re-
quired of Gen. Lane after his arrival in Mexico
extremely irksome and disagrceable. Stationed by
order of the acknowledgement, with his brigade,
ina swamp on the banks of the Rio Grande, he was
compelled to remain inactive several months. Here,
under the sweltering heats of tropical sun, his
troops were decimated by the diseases peculiar to
that pestilential climate He himself was almost
the only man belonging to the brigade who was not
Frustrated at period during their long conine-
ment on that fatal spot. At length the welcome Or
der came to advance to Saltillo of which place. on
his arrival, he was appointed by General Butler
civil and military Governor. Here, however he
was not long permitted to remain, being ordered,
with his command after the battle of Monterey to
join Gen. Taylor
On the 22d and 23d of February, 1877, was fought
the great battle of Buena Vista, which in nothing
save the number of the comhatantS, falls short OF
the most famous of modern times. The disposition
of the American troops by the commanding general
was such that, during the engagement, the brigade
OF Gen. Lane was in the hottest of the fight from
the beginning to the end. The hostile operations
OF the opposing armies resulting in the great battle
of the 23d, commenced on the heights around Bue-
na Vista on the 22d. On the afternoon of that iav,
the Mexican lines being sufficiently advanced, shell
thrown from howitzer, by order of Santa Anna,
was the signal for the attack. Immediately heavy
fire, in continued rolling volley, opened by the
Mexican light troops under Ampudia, upon the
American administers on the opposite ridge of the
mountain. The Americans replied with spirit, and
the firing was kept up with much animation on both
sides, but without any definite result until darkness
put an end to the combat, and both parties retired,
to await renewal of the strife on more extended
scale on the following day.
On the morning Of the Odd the battle was renew
day. The first movement of Santa Anna was to
turn the left flank of the Americans. Four COM
panies, under Major German, were despatched by
Cen Lane to intercept this movement Soon after
three companies of the I'd Illinois, and three of
Marsha's Kentucky regiment, were sent to German s
assistance. While these troops We're engaged with
the enemy on the brow of the mountain, large
body of Mexicans, six thousand strong advanced to
the plain, towards the position held by Gen. Lane.
lie immediately formed his little band, now reduced
to $50 men, into line, to receive the onset of this
immense force Hardly was this movement COM
pleted when the Mexcans opened tremendous fire
from their entire line, which was returned by the
Americans with promptness and good effect. "Noth-
ing" says an eyewitness, "could exceed the impos-
ing and fearful appearance of the torrent Of assail
ants, which, at this moment, swept along towards
the little band of Lane. The long lines Of infantry
presented continued and unbroken sheet of fire.
But their opponents, though few in number, were
undisnayed, and defended their position with a
galhntry worthy of the highest praise. Several
times | observed the Mexican lines, CALLED by the
American musketry and shattered by the fearful
discharges from o'Bren's battery break and fall