Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-04-22

VERA CRUZ, March ", 1917.
JUAN MORALES.
forces Of the United States situated in sight of this
place.
ARTILLERY HEADoUARTERs,
Camp Washington, March "a. l647.
SIR 81 have the honor to report for the information
of the generain-chief. that the ODD instant, and
as soon as the chief engineer had reported that the
batteries sufficiently advanced to receive seven
mortars, placed that number in battery. BY 2 o.
clock that day was prepared to open the fire upon
the city of Vera Cruz. At quarter past | received
the order of the general-n-chief to firing
the city, and the batteries Nos 1, 2, and
opened with great animation and apparent effect.
From The moment the batteries opened on the after
of the 22d instant, the fire has been incessant
by day and night.
On the Odd, and during the night, battery No. i
was under the command of Captain Brooks, Of the
I'd artillery; battery No. 2, under the charge of
Lieutenant Shackelford. of the I'd artillery and bat
terry No. 8, under the charge of Captain Vinton, of
the Sd artillery, and until the hour of his death.
about o'clock, p NJ, when the command devolyed
upon Lieutenant Vanliet, Sd artillery.
The severe loss to the army by the death of Capt.
Vinton, was the only loss sustained on the first
day. Several of the men were slightly wounded.
The fire from the city and from the castle our
batteries. with shot. shells, and rockets, has been
intermitted but with very brief periods since we
opened batteries; and must ascrbe our safety,
under such heavy and constant fire, to the skill and
science of the officers of engineers in the construction
of our batteries.
From the morning of the 23d to this morning, the
batteries have been in charge of Captain Mckenzie,
of the I'd artillery, and Capt. Anderson and Brevet
Captain Taylor Of the Sd artillery.
Yesterday, about IL o'clock, m. was able 10
place three in battery, but owing the
highness of the wind the shells could not be landed
from the storeshps and fire to this time been
very moderate, not exceeding fire in every five
minutes.
Last night | succeeded in moving three "a FOUNDER
guns to battery No. A, with the necessary ammuni-
ton and implements which have been placed in bat
terry.
One more "a FOUNDER and two S-inch howitzers
will be moved out tonight, and tomorrow morning,
las we shall doubtless obtain supply of shells to-
day, the storm having abaied sufficiently to land
them,) | shall be able to open the four batteries
with ten morars, four "a Founders. and two S-inch
howtzers, with increased effect, and renewed vigor.
can bear testimony, from personal observation, TO
the skill and gallantry of all the officers detailed on
artillery service under my direction, and of the cheer
fitness and steadiness of the in the performance
Of their laborious duties.
have the honor to be- respectfully. your obedient
servant, JAMES BANKHEAD,
Cd Artillery Chief of Artillery.
1t. ScorT, Act'g Adj. General, Army Headquarters
ARTILLERY HEADQUARTERS,
Camp Washington, March "a, lS47--5, p. NJ.
SIR Since my report of this date of operations
in the batteries up to o'clock, A. NJ the hour when
the troops are relieved have to state for the infor
nation of the Generalnchief that the enemy opened
a brisk fire batteries after sunrise this
morning, without any effect; but about lO O'Clock,
most of their batteries were again opened on US, and
one man of company B. artillery, was killed at
battery No. l, and three men were severely wounded
shell fell into battery No. 8, where four men OF
company F. I'd artillery, were wounded. The shell
fell on one of the morars, breaking the mortar bed
and throwing the mortar thirty feet from the platform
another mortar bed can be obtained from the ord
nance depot. and the mortar will be remounted.
We have been restrained from the want of shells
from Throwing more than one every FIVE minutes
during the day. A full supply will be in place to-
night and as soon as is dark enough to send to the
batteries without being observed by the enemy.
am, very respectfully, your obedent servant,
JAMES BANKHEAD,
I'd Artillery, Chief of Artillery.
To Lieut.. ScorT, Acting Adjutant General, Army
Headquarters
[Tnnslation.l VERA CRUZ. March "a, 1S47.
The Undersigned, consuls of different foreign pow
ers near the republic Of Mexico moved by the feeling
results Of the commandment Of the city of Vera Cruz
during yesterday and the day BEFORE have the honor
of addressing collectively, General Scott commander
in-chief of the army of the United States of the
morrill, pray him to lend hostities, and to grant
reasonable truce sufficient enable their respective
compariots to leave the place with their women and
children as well as the Mexican women and children.
The request of the undersigned appears to them
too conformabe to the existing ideas of civilization,
and they have too high opinion of the principles
and sentiments of General Scott, not to be full oil
confidence in the success of this request They pray
A II i L L -
the parlementaire, who is the bearer of this, and
to accept assurances of their respectful consideration
- 81. T. CLIFFORD,
Consul de ga Majestic Britannque.
A. GLOUX,
lie consul de sa Majestic lie Roi des Francois.
FILLIPE G. DE ESCALANTE,
Ell consul de Espaiia.
HENRI D'OLElRE,
Consul de S. M. lie Roi de Prusse.
A true translation of the original paper. for the
Secretary of War.
E.P. SCAMMON, A. A. D. C.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Camp Warrington, before Vera Cruz,
March %, l647.
have this moment received your note Of this date,
inquring whether, In my opinion, il may not be a
necessary measure of expediency to stop for the pre-
sent the intercourse heretofore allowed between the
neutral vessels of war off this coast and the city and
castle of Vera Cruz.
promptly answer in the affirmative. considering
that both places blockaded by our squadron
under your command, and the city not only invested
by the army, but actually under the fire of our land
batteries.
The ntercourse--the subject of your note--cannot,
il seems to me, however neutral in its intended cha.
racter on the part Of the foreign ships Of war present
fail to give the places in question, under FIRE,
much moral aid and comfort.
With high respect, &c. &c,