Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-04-22
The Taking Of Vera Cruz.

Cruz, giving an account OF the capture OF that
place and the Castle Of San Juan d'UlIoa by our
forces We copy in full the two dispatches o.
General Scott emitting The mass Of accompanying
papers, because they possess no material interest;
HRADauARrEWs OF rnr Amy,
Camp Of Washington,
before Vera Cruz. Mar. 90, AZ
SIN Yesterday, seven Of our ten l0-inch NOR.
tars being in battery, and the lAbors for planting
the remainder Of our heavy metal being in progress
addressed at two O'clock p. NJ, summons 10
the Governor Of Vera Cruz, aud within the two
hours limited by the bearer Of the Gag, received
the Governors answer Copies Of the two papers
(marked respectively and By are herewith en-
closed.
II will be perceived that the Governor, who, il
turns Oui is the commander OF both places, chose,
against the plain terms Of the summons to suppose
me TO have demanded the surrender Of the castle
and of the city-when 1T fact, from the non.arrisal
of our heavy INDEPENDENTLY mortars--l was in
no condition TO threaten the former.
On the return Of the Gag, with that reply at
once ordered the seven moriars in battery, 10 open
upon the city. La short time the smaller vessels
OF Com. Perry's squadron--two steamers aud Eve
MISUNDERSTANDING 10 previous Arrangement
with him, approached the city within ubout nile
and an eighth, whence, being partially covered
from the casile-an essential condition TO their
safey-they also opened brisk FIRE upon the city.
This has been confined unnierupiedIy by the
noriars, and only with few in,ermissions, by the
vessels, up to Q o'clock this morning, when the
Commodore, very properly, called them of from a
position too daringly assumed.
Our three remaining mortars are now IL o'clock
NJ 10 battery, and the whole ten in activity. To
morrow early, il the city should continue obstinate
batteries Nos. and will be ready 10 add their
Ere. No. consisting Of four 24-pounders and
. ,r.l, he. AZ. l. A
OF three 32-pounders and three S-inch Paixhans-
the guns oficers and sailors landed from the squad
ron-our friends Of the navy being unremuiing in
their jealous cooperation IN every mode and FORM
So far, we know that our fire upon the city has
been highly effective, particularly from the batter
les Of lO-inch mortars, planted about 500 yards
from the city Including the preparation and de-
fence Of the batteries, from the beginning--now
many deys-and notwithstanding the heavy FIRE Of
the enemy, from city and castle, we have only had
four or FIVE men wounded and one officer and one
man killed. in or near the trenches. That officer
was Captain John X. Vinton, Of the limited States
third artillery one Of the most talented accomplish
ed and effective members Of the army and who
was highly distinguished in the brilliant operations
al Monterey He Tell last evening in the trenches,
where he was on duty as field and commanding Of.
hcer, universally regretted. have just attended
his honored remains 10 a soldiers graye--n full
Thirteen of the long-needed mountaineering
tweniy-seyen, beside heavy guns. behind-have ar.
rived, aud two Of them landed. heavy norther
then set in lat meridaD) that stopped that opera
ton, and also the landing OF shells Hence the
fire Of our mortar batteries has been slsckened
since two o'clock to-day aud cannot be reinyigor-
aied until we shall again have smooth sea.
March 24-Thc storm having subsidized in the
night. we commenced this forenoon soon as The
sea became little smooth, 10 land shot, shells and
mortars.
The naval battery, No. s, was opened with great
activity under Capt. AUlick the second in rank Of
the squadron, at about 10 A. NJ. His FIRE was con.
tnued TO o'clock ?. NJ. little before he was re-
lIeved by Capt Mayo. who landed with fresh sup
ply Of ammuniIion-Capt. A. having exhausted the
supply he had brought with him. lie lost four sail
ors killed, and had one officer, 1t Baldwin, slight.
" hurt.
The mortar batteries, Nos. !. ? and 3, have fred
but languidly during the day. for want OF Shells
which are now going out from the beach.
The two reports Of Col. Bankhead. chief Of ar
ulery, both of this date, copies Of which iuclose
give the incidents Of those three batteries.
Battery No a, which will mount four 24-pound-
ers and Two S'inch Paxhan guns, has been much
delayed in the hands OF the indefatigabIe engin-
GERS. by the norther that filled up the work with
sand nearly as fast as il could be opened by the
half blinded laborers. 1t will, however, doubtless
be in full activity early tomorrow morning
March 25.-The Princeton being about 10 start,
have but moment TO continue this report.
All the batteries, Nos. /, 2, 3, 4 and s. are in
awful activity this morning. The effect is no
doubt, very great, and think the city cannot hold
out beyond to-day. Tomorrow morning many Of
the new mortars will be in position to add their
lire, when, or aler the delay Of some twelve hours
II no proposition TO surrender should be received,
shall organize parties for carrying the city by as.
sanlt. So far the defence has been spirited and
obsiinaie.
inclose copy Of memorial received last nj hi
signed by the consuls OF Great Britain, France
Spain and Prussia, within Vera Cruz, asking me
10 grant truce TO enable the neuras together with
the Mexican women and children, 10 withdraw
from the scene OF havoc about them. shall reply |
The moment that an opportunity may be taken, 10 |
say-I. That truce can only be granted on the
application OF Gov. Morales with view to surren.
der. 2. That in sending safe guards TO the differ
ent Consuls, beginning as far back as the 18th inst
! distinctly odmonished them particularly the ,
French and Spanish Consuls-a aud Of course thro' |
the two, the other Consus Of the dangers that have
followed. 3. That although at that date | had al |
ready refused 10 allow any person whatsoever 10
pass the line oil investment either way yet the block
ade had been leii open to the Consuls, and other
neuras to pass out TO their respective ships OF war
up TO the 22d inst. and 4. ! shall incose 10 the
memorlalisis copy Of my summons 10 the Govern
or, TO show that had fully considered The impend-
Ing hardships and dsIresses Of the place. including
those Of women and children, before one gun had
been bred in that direction. The intercourse be.
tween the neutral ships Of war aud The city was
stopped at the last mentioned date by Com. Perry,
with concurrence which / nlacad nm sha ss.a.I