Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1838-12-20
l. S. Revenue CUTTER WoopBuRY, }


Having been an eyewitness Of the engagement
between the Castle of ST. Juan de Uoa and the
French blockadiug SOU ,dron under the command of
Rear Admiral {. Baudin, al Vera Cruz, have pen
ned the following account of the same, and which
have directed to you, for whatever purpose you may
think proper to make use of. The 9th day Of Nov.
was fixed upon tor the final issue of the message
to the Mexican government from the French Admit
raj. According 10 reports in the morning. courier
had arrived bringing their anwser, which was, "War
to the blade, and the blade to the hilt." Du-
ring the morning the French squadron proceeded
with three double banke frgates four soops of war
as many briggs aud bomb vessels and took their po-
sltior abreast of the Castle without any interruption
at about one mile distant-the weather being very
fine and perfectly calm.
At hall past 9 Z. NJ the bombardment from the
French fleet commenced at that instant the Mexican
colors were hosted on the Castle and the fire prompt
y returned.
The fire was continued by both sides without ces-
satlon TIL between the hours OF aud u. NJ, when
the bombs from the French fleet having taken effect
two severe explosions took place in the Castle which
Tor some time completely enveIoped ii in smoke
Upon clearing away, we perceived that the obserya-
tory which was situated on the highest battery, from
which the waImest fire was kept mp was cuircly de
moshed. The other explosion took place in the
low battery buryng IN their ruins upwards of pie
ces of artillery, according to the accounts received
from town. The firing from both sides continued
until o'clock, al which time that from the Castle
ceased.
The next morning by despatch from town. W c were
Informed the loss IN the Castle was 400 men killed
aud wounded, among whom were 35 officers The
second IN command OF The castle, Colonel Celia fthe
battalion Armada, being among Tie number killed
From the French squadron no authentic informa-
ton has been received of their loss vet Won NAV
form an opinion when assure You that the 1phi
elnie alone received upwards OF 100 round shot
according TO the report OF an officer OF the u. S.
soop OF war Erie, who visited the French Admiral
the morning after the action. During the mig In
flag was sent from the Castle to the French Admiral
demanding cessation OF hostilities, for the purpose
OF extracting the bodies of those killed aud wounded
from the ruins caused by the explosion. The same
morning. between 10 and ., a number of boats
left The squadron and proceeded TO the Castle The
French having possession of the Castle the town
must either captuate be destroyed; nevertheless
II is well fortified in all its Passages every street being
barreaded. The troops are numerous and appear
TO be in good spirits.
An officer Of French vessel of war informed us
that the Castle had eapulaed and that at 10 O'Clock
the Frech flag would be hosred-which was accord
nGly done att O'Clock, under general salute from
the whole squadron consisting of 81 vessels of all
classes including steam ships
The capitalization says that the French are to re-
man IN possession of the Csstle, the Mexican au-
'horIies retain full possession of the city, exercising
all Their functions before 1000 troops only to re-
man, the balance TO go into the Interior
| was gwen To understand that the French Admi-
tal had issued circulars TO all the Consus-openine
the port to all flags.
The interior of the Castle, and almost all The
lower batteries destroyed by the explosions. and
the effect OF the bombs. The bursting of a single
bomb OF 50 lbs destroyed the observatory as beo,e
mentioned, burying number of troops in i,s
ruins.
The Prince DC Jolnve, in command Of the sloop
of war Creole behaved in a most gallant mapner
which came under my immediate observation rs I
was WITHIN pistol shot of the French fleet when the
bombardment commenced.
Thus has this celebrated Castle, heretofore deem
ed mpregnabe, yielded 10 petty force after and
a halt hours bombardment. The number of sbo,
fred from the French squadron is said to be up.
" ards OF QUO and from the Castle about 100.
am unao'e To g'Yey any further Details as we
sailed the same afternoon AT A O'Clock fo, his
Place.