again upon our arms. Thus the time was spent in continual alarms and
rumors of assault, which was worse than a dozen battles. We were all
anxious to meet the enemy again, to be revenged for their cruelty to
our wounded brethren, and felt that we could fight more effectually,
as we were hardened into indifference by the past, in beholding our
falling comrades. And further, we had a reinforcement of General
Marshall with three eighteen pounders. At length intelligence came that
the Mexican army had taken up their line of march to San Luis Potosi;
when we were ordered immediately to make preparations for our old
encampment.
It was a melancholy march, as the road all the way for sixteen miles
was strewed with the Mexican dead. On a single spot I counted thirteen
bodies; and at times the scent from the field was almost insupportable.
After an exciting march, we pitched our tents near the spot which we
left a week before; and part of the time since the enemy had occupied,
whose fires were not extinct on our return.
_March 14th._--We received orders last Wednesday to remove back
to Buena Vista, as the water was so bad, and the wind and dust so
disagreeable, that even our horses were affected, causing them to
die off in great numbers. I was on guard the day before, and was not
relieved till the next evening. To remain a whole day in the hot sun
without shelter, and remain up all night in the cold wind, is a poor
preparation for a hard march. The guard went in advance, and upon our
arrival, were posted around the camp, which is situated on a ridge,
sloping from the mountain. There we remained until the tents were
pitched, and a new guard mounted.
We have not yet forgotten the battle. Low spirits, gloom and regret
are everywhere manifest. There are but few who have not to mourn the
loss of friends and relations. Our wounded are all doing well, save
Granville Jackson, the inflammation of whose hand has brought on a
severe fever; and Alfred Goodwin, who, though badly wounded, may
eventually be able to walk.
Much controversy is going with regard to the retreat of the 2d
regiment; but as it can easily be proved that Colonel Bowles gave the
order, the matter will soon be favorably understood. But the subject
gives us great trouble. If our reputation must suffer, it is, indeed,
very discouraging.
General Taylor, the adored of the army and the hero of many battles,
has removed with Colonel May’s squadron of dragoons, Bragg’s battery of
light artillery, and the Mississippi regiment, to Walnut Springs, near
Monterey. We are still under the command of General Wool, who, although
a brave and prudent officer, and a good soldier, falls below “Old
Rough” in gaining the affection of the men.
There are many things I should like to speak of, especially incidents
and personalities connected with the battle, but am now too low
spirited to relate them. We are so inconveniently situated, the wind
and dust so disagreeable, and at times so concerned for our reputation,
that often I become almost hopeless, and hardly care what becomes of
me. The Indiana troops have truly been unfortunate, the 2d regiment
especially. From our first entering the service, we were organized in
a way contrary to our wishes, and officers selected for us, wholly
unqualified for their stations, and even below mediocrity in point of
talent, which rendered them unable to draw the attention of commanding
officers to their regiment. Thus the greater portion of our time was
spent in obscurity, wading the lagoons of Belknap--since which time we
are nothing indebted to our regimental officers for our preferments.
General Lane has made the 2d regiment what it is, and does honor to the
position which he occupies. But I will cease this strain, as I promised
to complain as little as possible.
_April 1st._--We are now comfortably situated, and have less cause of
complaint than at any other time during the service. There are two
tents pitched together for our mess of eight, who live together in
the greatest harmony. Our floor is carpeted with grass, and we have
blankets and provisions in abundance. But still we look with much
solicitude to the time when we shall meet our beloved friends at home.
What a blank is caused by the absence of some of the refinements of
society, and to be so long absent from those we love, with but little
to occupy their places!--I have learned much in the tented field; I
have learned how few are the real wants of man; I have learned to
abstain from luxuries and to suffer privation; I have learned how
important is good female society for the refinement of manners and the
elevation of morals.
All is quiet again, and the excitement attending the expectation of
another attack, has died away. Until recently, the guard duty has been
very heavy, and the troops in constant anxiety, caused by the rumors
in circulation.--Yesterday the whole division passed in grand review
before General Wool and staff. It was truly a splendid sight. Seven
regiments of infantry, accurately dressed upon the same line; two
squadrons of dragoons, and four batteries of flying artillery. The
gaudy uniforms of the general and staff added to the imposing grandeur
of the parade. The camp is generally in good health, and our wounded
doing well. The loss of Goff and Robinson is a severe stroke to the
mess. I assure you we miss them greatly, especially at night, when we
see their vacant places upon the ground.
_May 15th._--During the last two weeks much excitement has prevailed
with regard to the court of investigation, concerning the conduct of
Brigadier-General Lane and Colonel Bowles. General Lane called for an
examination on his own part, and was acquitted with the highest praise.
Colonel Bowles, by request, followed his example, and the charge of
incapacity for performing the duties of his office, and ignorance of
company and battalion drill, were fully substantiated, as well as the
word of giving the order--“Cease firing, and retreat!” This decision,
approved by Generals Taylor and Wool, at once sets at rest all doubts
as to the propriety of our retreat, and no blame can now be attached to
the 2d regiment for that unfortunate event.
Yesterday evening we received the joyful orders to take up our line
of march for the mouth of the Rio Grande, to start on the 24th. The
2d Kentuckians started yesterday; the Ohioans will leave on the 18th;
and the Illinoisians on the 30th.--We have just received a request
from the citizens of New Albany to bring home the four bodies of our
fallen comrades. We had already canvassed the matter, and given it up
as impossible; but now it must be done, and preparations are being
made for their transportation. General Lane, with his characteristic
nobleness of heart, lends a helping hand. The Mexicans are inferior
mechanics, and material is scarce; and we shall have to use tin instead
of lead for coffins, as the latter is not to be had.
The decision of the Court of Inquiry encouraged and animated us all;
and the effect was quite obvious throughout the whole camp. Last night
a number of us were convened around the fire, and were all recalling
incidents connected with the battle. Many amusing anecdotes were
related, two of which I shall record, as examples of great coolness in
the heat of battle.
During the engagement of the rifle battalion on the mountain, a
deer sprang up in the ravine, between the two fires; a backwoodsman
observing it, cried out, “Look at that deer!” at the same time
diverting his aim from the enemy in front, instantly fired, and brought
the animal to the ground. Another happened under my own observation.
When Captain Sanderson fell, badly shocked by a grape shot striking
his scabbard, a man just before him, who was squatted down examining
his flint, seeing the ball fall near, picked it up, and turning to the
captain, who was gasping for breath, threw it towards him, carelessly
remarking, “There it is, Cap.!”
A ludicrous story was told of a party composed of different regiments,
in an eating-house of Saltillo, after the battle. They were drinking,
and relating their wonderful exploits. One in particular was eloquent
upon the daring bravery of his captain. At this crisis, a fellow
who had been unnoticed before in their merriment, advanced from his
corner, and enthusiastically insisted that the captain spoken of was a
brave man, for he saw him charge unarmed upon a presented pistol. The
stranger was invited to drink, then urged to relate the circumstance,
and, after smacking his lips with great satisfaction, he commenced.
“During the fight I retreated to town, and hid in an old bake oven that
stood on the hill, as you enter the city. Well, I hadn’t been there
long, before I spied your captain making for it at full speed. I drew
my revolver, and when he came, cried out to him, ‘Don’t you come here,
or I’ll blow your brains out!’ _But he rushed right in._”
An amusing incident came off the other day, at the mounting of the
guard. A lieutenant, rather too fond of the “Critter,” with a seedy
suit that had evidently not been worn out with brushing, was rejected,
and charged by our worthy inspector-general not to present himself
there again. So the next day _another_ was detailed, not much better
attired. When the inspector perceived him, he rode up, and severely
remarked, “Didn’t I tell you not to come back here?” He respectfully
rejoined: “A slight mistake, colonel, there is one grease spot less on
this hat!”
“_Camp near Reynosa, June 4th._
“According to general orders, we broke up our encampment at Buena Vista
on the 24th of May, and after a march of ten successive days, over
three hundred miles, we arrived at this place. From this we will take
steamboats to the mouth of the Rio Grande, thence by vessels to New
Orleans, where we will be discharged, and permitted to return to the
endearments of home. It rained during our last day’s march, and has
continued to do so ever since, at intervals.
“Yesterday several of us visited Reynosa, but saw nothing interesting,
with the exception of the funeral of a little girl five years of age.
We were first attracted to the house by music from the drum, clarionet
and violin. When we arrived, we found the child placed upright in the
coffin, and tricked out with finery. On the head was a kind of a crown
of gilt paper; in one hand the figure of a saint, and in the other a
piece of black wax. After many of the family and friends had assembled,
they formed a ring before the door, and commenced dancing and waltzing
in the most unfeeling manner, until the corpse was conveyed to the
church. They bear the death of children with great philosophy, deeming
it no source of lamentation. The more extensive my acquaintance
with this people, the greater my pride and satisfaction in being an
American. The beauty and ingenuousness of their women, the mind and
energy of their men, are so far below those of ours, that we cannot
make a comparison. They plough their fields with a straight stick
running slanting into the ground; never did I see them make a pound of
butter, although they obtain vast quantities of milk; and they justify
their laborious way of crushing corn by saying ‘it makes it much finer
than mills.’”
On the 3d of July, we landed at New Albany, after an absence of a
year. Multitudes of friends and acquaintances stood upon the shore to
await our arrival. The cannon roared to welcome us, and a flowery arch
spanned the street in all its beauty, to cheer us as we entered the
city. On the fifth, we transported to the solemn grave, the remains
of our fellow soldiers. Great was the concourse which followed in
procession, to witness the mournful ceremony. A noble monument will
mark the resting-place of those who fell in battle.
Reader, I will now come to a conclusion. This journal was written for
my own reference and amusement, but I have made some verbal alterations
for your accommodation. Had I more thoroughly revised the style and
arrangement in my manuscript, doubtless fewer errors would have
existed; but it may go forth with its imperfections, for I have neither
time nor inclination to put on a higher polish.
Other companies than the _Greys_, and other regiments than the
_Second_, could not expect a description of all their glorious deeds
from one whose humble position limited his survey and sources of
extensive information. If I have erred in statements, it was of the
_head_, and not of the _heart_. With a clear conscience I have written
what I have written. Brilliant actions, no doubt, were performed at
Buena Vista that will never shine upon canvas, nor glow in the poet’s
song, nor blaze upon the page of history.
THE END.
Transcriber’s Notes
Errors in punctuation have been fixed.
Page 15: “of the corse” changed to “of the corpse”
Page 32: “kind of opheclide” changed to “kind of ophicleide”
Page 40: “suddenly arroused” changed to “suddenly aroused”
Page 44: “Nothwithstanding the discouragement” changed to
“Notwithstanding the discouragement”
Page 48: “a rout that did not pass” changed to “a route that did
not pass”
Page 58: “the moun ains” changed to “the mountains”