Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-04-02

enemy, Us Inc IduulilS was We'll covered Dy CON-
slant discharge of bomb shells and round shot
from the U. 8. steamers & gunboats anchored near
the beach and in front of the landing. lmme-
diately after an organization OF the American for
ces on the beach. they took up line of march |
over the sand hills, to the attack of the enemy's
outposts and Notifications, situated from one to
TIRES miles from the castle and forts of the city.
They carried every one by storm, not, however,
without losing seventeen men.
On the lith and 18th, the American forces
were employed in throwing up breastworks and
aiopinp entertainments. Occasional skirmishinp
took place with the enemy, who were throwing
showers of bomb shells ard round shot from the
castle and city, but without much effect. During |
this time the s+amen were landing provisions and
ammunition from the transports.
On the 18th strong north gale set in, which |
cut off all further communication. We left dur
ing the norther, and as we were unable TO make
progress to the north, believe that it was impossi
bic for our bombs and shells to have been landed
until the 9Th instant, SO that the bombardment
OF the castle and Vera Cruz did not probably
commence nntil the Goth.
There were some feats of bravery displayed on
the 18th, in which Col. Dickersop. of the Pal
metto Regiment, South Carolina, was wounded
in the breast by a musket ball from the enemy,
and Capt AIburtis, of the I'd Infantry, had his
head shot off by an 32-pound ball. This same
ball broke O drummcr's arm and took off pri-
Yates leg.
But on the same day the American army had
gained complete possession of all the fortiicatons
of the enemy which raised by them to stop
our troops from approaching the city. All the
water-pipes leading to the city were cut of, and
all the communications effcctuay stopped. Gen.
Scott landed in person on the llih inst A
French barque ran the blockade and moored un-
der the walls of the castle on the morning Of the
18th, and many of our transports were ready to
leave for the United States as soon as the norther
was over This vessel brings dispatches and let
ter-bags from every vessel in the Gulf squadron
then at SACRIFICES.
Special Correspondence Of the Picaylne.
SACRIFIcIos, NEAR VERA Cruz, March II, ls47
GENTLEMEy--T have already written mention
ing our arrival here. 1t is now time to foot up
the news to this evening, which must do by on
ly giving the outlines, as there is probability of
the Alabama leaving in short time for New Or
leans. and the field Of operations is too extensive
to allow of my gathering particulars.
Day before yesterday the order was given to
move from Anton Lizardo to this place. This oc-
cupied most of the day. About o'clock, P. NJ,
the lst division (Gen. Worth's) had taken its
place in the surf boats The gun boats ran in close
to the shore, about three miles below the city, and
anchored. One of the small. naval steamers ran
along the shore and fired a gun at the place of
landing feeler, to ascertain If there were con-
ceaed batteries or troops to oppose the landing.
Nothing was revealed and the order was given to
advance. The surf boats, about fifty in number,
each containing from eighty to hundred men,
moved off in gallant style and in the most per-
feet order. AS the boats approached the shore
near enough to touch ground the men leaped out
and formed lines by companies, q marched ashore
No opposition was offered Gen. Pattersons d.
vision (the 2d) next deba ked in the same man.
ner, and were followed by the Sd or Gen. Twiggs
Division. 1t was past midnight before the troops
ceased landing. The surf boats were manned by
the sailors from the U. S. fleet, who Iabored with
right good will. The officers Of the navy have
done all in their power TO assist the army in its
movements.
About o'clock the next morning there was an
alarm in the line which extended along the beach
The troops cheered, and those who had fallen into
doze upon the sand banks sprang suddenly to
their arms. Our picket guard had approached tina
of some Mexican cavalry who watching oul
movements, and had received one or two Shots
About half an hour afterwards detachment o
our fell in with thirty or forty cavalry
and several volleys were fired, the balls of the ell
envy falling into our column but seriously nlurins
no one. At sunrise, Gen. Worth led off his di
vision in advance, following the beach for some
distance towards the city, and then turning inland
came in sight of several hundred Mexican cavalry
drawn up about half a mile from the shore. A
small howitzer was Immediately drawn up to tn
, top of sand hill and fire was opened, which
soon scattered the enemy. The division contlnu
ed TO penetrate to the interior among the SAM
r. boF,r fhorr,
The I'd and Sd divisions followed close and tool
positions. Gen. Patterson sent Gen. Pillows brig
ade to the interior. and took his position on tn
left of Gen. Worths division. Gen. Twiggs too
= his position to the rear of Patterson's. An oil
cathedral was taken possession of by Gen. Pillow
and soon afterwards a magazine containing Is
boxes of ammunition. During all this time tn
enemy kept up fire of shell and round shot fror
the town and castle, few of which reached GU
e line, and those doing no harm.
. At o'clock, A. M, the little U. S. steame
Sptfrc ran in close to the town and fired mum
Der of shells into the place, receiving fire fror
> the castle in return.
81 This morning our army moved still nearer tn
Q town-Worh's Division on the right, and restin
on the sea shore, Gen. Patterson's in the centre
Il extending back into the country, and Gen. Twigg
:, Division on the left still further to the INTERIOR.
+ They have approached considerably within rang
of the guns in the town, and can be reached b
those in the castle, from both of which a brls
: cannonading has been kept up during the day.
: The line extends across the railroad which goe
e from the town to the magazine, and the acquedu'
which supplies the city with water is likewise i
our possession. In short, the city is fairly inve
Ii ted, and communication by the main roads cut OF
y Entertainments have been marked out (and Wi
J. be worked on to-night,) which are enoug
. to the walls to render our heavy guns effective
y These guns have not been taken on shore. SteE
toes light battery with the horses, have been lar
ded, with several pieces of larger calibre Neith
o Duncan's or Taylorrs battery ha arrived. NJ
has Col. Harvey reached here with the I'd DR.
J goons. A number of vessels with troops and orr
o nance, which were due a week ago, have not bee
% heard of.
There has been considerable skirmshing to-da
5 and some twenty Of our wounded, anon
n them Lieut.. Col. Dickson, of the South Carollr
regiment, but not dangerously. Fifteen or twel
- ty of the Mexican cavalry have been taken prison
ers horses and men, and some fifty killed. Tb
evening 32-pounder ball from the city fell in
~ the I'd Infantry, taking off the head of Capt. Wi
10 liam Albertis of that regiment, and severely, if
10 MORALLY wounding two men.
: Tomorrow the tu
= of war commences in earnest, and | shall
=! there to see it. Should the Alabama start t.
t night, or before return, you Will receive h
10 If not, as Pat would say, you are informe
! that this letter will never reach you.