Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-10-29
san juan de UiIoa.

We find in the London Daily News a description o
this famous CASTLE which is interesting the present
moment, when reports are current that we are going
kucck heads against the castles thick stone
walls.
SAN JUAN DE ULLoA.-On the termination of the
war with Spain after the miserable remains of their
garrison had been sent off to Havana, went with
two companions the castle of San Juan de UllUa
1t is tremendous place if at all well manned. No
wonder it had held out So long. Had il not been for
the raging of the yellow fever within its walls, and
the want of provisions, the Mexicans would never
have taken 1t without naval force very superior TO
the one they then possessed. though they have
since had any force comparable to that ore.
The outer walls of this fortress are of immense
thckness-upward of twelve feet !; and in the posi-
tons most exposed, the walls seventeen egh-
teen feet in depth, of solid white stone. 1t is very
porous and rather soft sone that balls do not split
or crack 1t so much they quietly embed themselves
These outer walls have batteries all round the guns
were well planted, with here and there neat corner
for mortar. The inner walls so constructed that
if the outer walls gained, il would still be at
saughterous expense to the bcsegers if the garrison
were at all competent TO avail themselves of :leir
position.
We entered the fortress from below at the principal
gate, which of great strength and very skilfuy
contriyed; and then went along stone passage,
which had several gateways, and 81 cunnlngly de-
vised" narrow passes, with high stone walls each
side. This terminated by canal, or moat, with
draw bridge over IT, We next arrived at flights of
stairs and passing up several Faut-ike ascents, we
gained the top of the grand batteries Their general
characteristic is that of great strength, and plenty of
room to work In. They mounted 10 long "a pound
ers, all Of brass They were, for the most part in
excellent condition. The mortars of large cali
bre, though not in such good order the guns. The
powder magazines were each literally dry stone
well, plugged at the top with blankets, and having
round metal lid the mouth that opened upon the
batteries.
We next descended to the inner works, and gained
Tire secondary walls by circuitous route. Besides
the necessity to the besegers of having guides who
well knew every turn of TIE works, the excitement
and smoke almost certain to produce confusion,
in which the voice presence of the guides would be
lost, and the party dashng onward might only arrive
at dead wall, gap looking ont upon the sea, or
the mouth of twenty-four FOUNDER. The circuitous
route of our descent from the upper TO the lower
range of walls entirely exposed 10 their batteries
the guns grlnning at US all the way, like many
black tusks, as we traSeFstd stone causeways and
passes. Whole regiments might here be rascd
down. after they had conquered the outer wall. But
the =" chances Of wu are numerous; and one imper-
lection in the greatest power Of otherwise perfect
may render it inapplicable and perhaps ridiculous.
On arriving at their inner batteries, we found the
guns in a wretched condition They were no better
than Chinese effect, " calculated to strike terror
into the mind. But one may imagine how very angry
the subtle architect of this formidable castle would
have been, could he have his excellent arrange
ments for the safe aud nearly certain destruction Of
the assaiants thus rendered abortive.
We now descended very wide and steep flight of
stone stairs, which led down into the grand castle
square, little town, as Que might almost call 1t.
We entered at the bottom through stone gateways,
the architect had never missed an opportunity for
giving the besieged protection in retreatIng and time
TO rally, and then found ourselves in large open
square, enclosed all sides by very lofty walls the
lower part of which displayed doors and entrances
into barracks, guardhouses, and shops Of various
kinds for the sale of such articles as garrion would
need The Governors house is at the farther end
Il genuine soldiers lOdgmcnt, and very bare of
every ornament, except those of war; for it was rid
died all with the marks of shot and shell. Its
strong covered balcony, intended to as proec
tion both from the broiling sun and from the fall of
missiles was in many places torn in long gaps. All
the towers and buildings of any elevation had also
been knocked about and defaced by the shot and shells
from Vera Cruz, previous TO the surrender of the
castle But the mulilatlonS and destruction did not
materially affect the strength of the place Very few
of the guns had been dslodgcd; the outer bat
teries were not injured so To render them inefec
tive with the exception of gap Of ruins in or
two places. There is about miles breadth of
running between San Juan de Ulloa and the town of
Vera Crnz.
How strongly and skilfully this fortress is protected
by art, the reader has some idea; but San Juan
de Ulloa is equally protected by nature; for. while
the defences of which have briefly described are
chiefly devoted to the side and angle facing the town,
those angles which face the main the oppo-
site side or back Of the CASTLE protected by long
SUGGESTIONS of rocky reef utterly defying the approach
of any vessels of war. Many black and rotting
wrecks visible at high water ntiested some of the
natural errors of the place." But in these days it
is generally understood by all military men that no
place is mpregnabe, and that thorough soldiers, well
Differed and led can, and will, and do, take any
Il. hat = fl,au a-fto
can be done.