The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-04-23
CO. OTTAWA ILLINOIS, FRIDAY April, o. 1917

TO the effect. At ten O'Clock precise
by, the well known (heard under
similar circumstances at Monterey
of bugle, fife and drum, played as
Mexicans only cun play them, as no
body else ought to do it, was heard
in the direction of the great gate,
and the Mexican army soon began
to appear, the column passing be-
tween our lines. Women and chill
dren accompanied the troops, bear
ing heavy burdens. Their army
halted between our lines, stacked
their arms, laid down their colors
and equipments, and then marched
off, our troops { those detained for
C. purpose from Worth's division
marched into the city at the same
time, with colors flying, and the
bands playing national airs. Capt.
Anderson's company, Sd artillery,
and Capt. Hendricks of the Sd, en-
tered the castle, and Lieut.. Van
Vleirs company, of the Sd artillery,
took possession of Fort Santiago,
ran up the American flag and fired
national salute. The effect Of our
shells upon the city was now seen,
and proved to have been deplorable.
Hardly house had escaped, and a
large portion Of them were ruined.
The shells had fallen through the
roofs and exploded inside, tearing
everything in pieccs--bursting thro'
the partitions and blowing out the
windows. The killed and wounde d
among the Mexican soldiery was
very slight, but the citizens suffered
severely. 1t is said that between
six and seven hundred nen, women
and children were killed and woun-
ded-more than three hundred be-
ing killed.
Mlrch 30.-There were LOG pie
ces of artillery in position around the
city, and as many more diSmounted,
many of the latter useless. The en-
envy laid Gown about 1900 stand oil
arms, and 1900 more were found in
the city, saying nothing of tie
swords, lances, and very large store
ofshell, solid shot and powder. The
great castle is garrisoned by the fol-
lowing companies: Capts. Ander-
sons and Taylor's, and Lieut.. Van
Vliets, of the Sd artillery, under the
command of Col. Bolton. 1t has l6C
guns mounted, several Of them GS.
! y~r,a"rs. ~ a IcgUIar uastIUneo
worn, with dcmi lune and covered
way on the seaside. A yast guam
tity of ammunition was found in the
work. The MeXicanS left their ma
tional pets behind them in the cas-
tie, and our troops suffered much
annoyance from them last night ; |
aIludc, of course, TO ileas and other
vtrmin.
Santiago Fort, that spi,eful little
piece which played so warmly upon
our intrcnchments, is beautiful
work with nine guns in barbette,
most Of them fine English pieces
In fact, most Of their best ordnance
is Of English manufacture, though
they have some fine pieces made in
the United States.
Gen. Scott ordered O,0OO rations
10 be issued TO the suffering poor Of
Vera Cruz and it was an affecting
scrnc to witness the crowd of half
famishcd creatures as they gathered
,timidIy around TO receive their re.
spcctive shares. These rationS will,
as MeXicanS usually eat, last 5000
of the people at least four days, but
it is probable that not more than
1000 viii partakc of the provisions.
The city and castle were exhausted
Of provisions. 1t is a characteristic
of MeNicanS that they never lay in
stores, but live from hand to mouth,