Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-04-21
Official Dispatches from Gen. Scott.

FROM THE ARMY AT VERA CRUZ
HEADQUARTERS or THE ARMY ~
Camp Washington, before Vera Cruz, u
1'57s- March 23d, I54T. SGtl
Sir: Yesterday, seven of our 10 Inch
mortars, being in battery, and the slabors
for planting the remainder of our heavy
metal being in progress, | addressed at . q.
clock, p. r., a summons TO the Governor
| of Vera Cruz, and within the two hours
limited by the bearer Of the flag, received
the Governors answer. Copies Of the
two papers. (marked respectively, A9and
| b. are herewith enclosed. 5aa .5k ,Ans
1t will be perceived that the Governor,
who, it turns out, is commander of both
places, chose, against the plain terms Of
the summons. to suppose me TO have do
manded the surrender ofthe castle and Of
the city-when. in fact, from the non-arri.
val ofour heavy metal--principally NOR.
tars--l was in no condition to threaten the
former. 5 ". glsaa5aa N iis.vr .v77Y4
On the return Of the flag, withthereply
at once ordered the seven mortars, in bat.
terry, to open upon the city. In a short
time the smaller vessels Of Commodore Per-
ry's squadron--two steamers and five
schooners--accord.ng to previous arrange.
ment with him, approached the city within
about mile and an eighth, whence, being
partially covered from the castle-ar les.
sential conoition to their safety--they also
opened brisk fire upon the city. Thia
has been continued, unintcrruptedlyI IIby
the mortars, and only with few intern,is.
sions, by the vessels, up to nine o'clock
this morning, when the commodore, ! very
properly, called them off from position
too daringly assumed
Our three remaining mortars are now
IL o'clock, m J in battery, and the whole
ten in in activity. Tomorrow, early, If
the city should continue obstinate, bate.
ries No. 4 and will be ready to add their
fire: No. 4 consisting of four 25-pounders
and two s-inch Paixhan guns, and No, "a
(naval battery) Of three s2-pounders and
three 6-inch Paixhans 1.-The guns, officers
and sailors landed from the squadron--our
friends of the navy being unremilting in
their jealous operation, in every mode
and form. Ill. III,
So far, we know that our fire upon the
city has been highly neutrality-suspicious..
ly from the batteries of lO-inch mortars,
planted at about 800 yards from the city.
Including the preparation and defence of
the batteries--now many days--and not
withstanding the heavy FIRE of the, enemy,
from city and castle--we have had only
four or five men wounded, and one officer
and one man. killed, in Or near the trench.
es. That officer was Capt. John r.. Pin.
ton, Of the United States Sd artillery, one
Of the most talanted, accomplished and Of.
lectiye members ofthe army, and who was
highly distinguished in the brilliant opera.
tons at Monterey. He fell, last evening,
in the trenches, where he was on duty az
field and commanding officer, universally
regretted. hasejust attended his honorcd
remains toa soldiers grave--in, full view
OF the enemy and within reach Of his guns.
j Thirteen OF the long-needed mortars---
leaving twenty-seven, besides heavy guns,
behind--have arrived, and. two of them
landed. A heavy norther then set in, Cat
meridianl that stopped that operation, and
also the landing Of shells. Hence, the fro
| Iofour mortar batteries has been slackened,
since two o'clock, today, and cannot be
reinyigorated until we shall again have
smooth sea. In the mean time shall leave
this report open Tor journalizing events that
may occur up to the departure Of the steam
ship,ofwar, the Princeton. Commodore
Conner. who, I learn, expects to leave tho
anchorage off Sacrifcios, for the United