Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-10-30

SAN JUAN D'ULLOA.-The London Dali
" News gives the suboined minute description
Of this famous castle: son the termination OF
the war with Spain, after the miserable remains
of their garrison had been sent of to Havana, l
went with two companions over The castle oil San
Juan d'Uloa. II is tremendous place II al all
we'll manned. No wonder it had held out so long.
Had il not been for the raging OF the yellow lever
within its walls and the want OF provisions, The
Mexicans would never have taken II without
naval force very superior TO the one they then pos
sesset, though they have never since had any force
comparable 10 that one.
thickness-upwarGs OF twelve feel; and in the
positions most exposed, the walls are seventeen
or eighteen feet in depth Of solid white stone. IL
is very porous and rather soft stone, so that
balls do moi split or crack $50 much as they qui-
etly embed themselves These outer walls have
batteries all round; the guns are well planted,
with here and there neat corner Tor mortar.
The inner walls are so constructed that il the out
er walls are gained, il would still be at slaugh-
ferrous expense to The besiegers, if the garrison
we're at all competent 10 avail themselves OF their
position.
1--WE entered the fortress from below at the
principal gate, which was Of great strength, and
very skilluly conlrived; and then went along
cunuinsly devised narrow passes, with high
stone walls on each side. This was terminated
nv canal, or moat, with draw-bridge over it,
We next arrived al flights OF stairs and passing
I'D several vaul-like ascents, we gained The top
OF the grand batteries. The general Characters
lie is that OF great Strength, and plenty Of room TO
work in. They mounted 40 long "A Founders,
all of brass. They were, for the most part, in
excellent condition. The mortars were Of large
cabre, though mol in such good order as The guns.
The powder magazines were each literally dry
stone well, plugged at the top with blankets, and
having a round metal lid over The mouth that
opened upon the batteries.
ave next descended 10 the inner works, and
gained the secondary walls by circuilous roate.
Besides The necessity Of the besiegers of having
guides who we'll know every turn OF The works,
The excitement and smoke are almost certain 10
produce confusion, in which the voice or pre-.
sence of The guides would be lost, and the party
dashing onward might only arrive al dead wall,
a gap looking out upon the sea, or The mouth oil
a twenty four.pounder. The circulous route OF
our descent from The upper TO the lower range oil
walls was entirely exposed 10 their batteries, the
guns srinning al Us all the way like so many
black tusks, as we traversed stone causeways and
narrow passes. Whole regiments might here be
raked down. a fer they had conquered the outer
walls But the chances Of war are numerous;
and one impcrtection in the greatest power, III
otherwise perfectly may render il inapplicabe,
and perhaps ridiculous. On arriving at their IN.
ner batteries, We found the guns in wrelched
condition. They are no better than Chinese
effect, Calculated TO strike terror into the mind
Blu, one may imagine how very angry The subtle
architect of this formidable castle would have
been, could be have seen his excellent arrange
ments for the sale and nearly certain destruction
of the assailants thus rendered abortive.
awe now descended very wide and steep
flight of stone stairs which led down into the
grand castle square, or little town, as one might
always cali it, We entered at the bottom through
stone gateways, 1.-THE architect had never missed
an'opporlunity for giving the besiesed protection in
re,reating, and time 10 rally,] and then found
ourselves in large open square, enclosed on all
sides By very lofty walls, the lower part oil which
displayed doors and entrances into barracks
euard.houses and shops Of various kinds for The
sale OF such articles as garrison would need
The Governors house is at the farther end. i
was genuine soldiers Judgment, and very bare
oil all ornament, except those OF war, for j! wa:
ridaled all over with the marks OF shot and she'll
LIS strong covered balcony, intended TO serve as =
protection both from the broling sun and iron
The fall of missiles, was in many places torn il
long gaps. All the towers and buildings OF any
elevation had also been knocked about and defa