The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-02-19


day, and to look out for the spectators.
N.B.-The steamer had not arrived at Boston
mt one O'Clock yesterday afternoon. Never mind;
look out for the spectators.
T'ho FOrtresses OF MexlcO-Shan we Capture
Them Unjust we do 500
1t appears now as if the folly Of Congress would
be the means of prolonging the war with Mexico
for an indefinite length Of time. Although it is
said that the administration is corresponding with
the Mexican authorities, yet many far-sighted
men say that they cannot see the end. In this
state of the matter, we find It necessary to exa-
mine, "a little further than previously, into the
military capacity OF Mexico; in order to as
certain, if possible, the amount ofwork and glory
cur brave soldiers have yet to accomplish, to con-
Guera peace
Firstly, the fortresses
There are four in Mexico that OF Cam
peachy, Acapulco, Perote, and San Juan de
Uloa. Those of Campeachy, Cor forts in Yu
catan,) and of Acapulco, (or forts the south
western coast of Mexico,) are rather forts than
fortresses; and are rot remarkable, either for
size or for strength.
far stronger place than those,we have alluded
to, is the fortress of Perote. II is situated on
level plain, and the right hand side Of the
road from Vera Cruz to the city Of Mexico.
From Vera Cruz it is distant one hundred
and twenty miles, and from the town of Pc
Iote one mile, in a northwesterly direction. II
is of far more recent construction than the
other fortresses we are describing; for it was
built, at cost Of eight millions of dollars, dur
ing the regency of the last viceroy. Its form is
euadrangular. Its walls are thirty.two feet high
and they have an average thickness of twelve
feet. From this description it is evident, that if
properly defended by the Mexicans, the castle of
Perote would prove formidable obstacle to any
army marching upon the city Of Mexico 1t
would be necessary to take or invest the castle
ere the army resume its march to the capital !;
tor not to do this, would be to violate one
of the best established principles in strate-
getics. But are the Mexicans in position to de-
fend the castle of Perote, it ought to be defend
edl We think not. The garrison of the castle
seldom exceeds three hundred men ; and to de-
fend fortress, which, like Perote, covers an area
of twenty.six square acres, nine thousand men
would scarcely suffice.
The castle of Perote to compare small things
with great, is to Mexico what the Bastie was to
France. Some very eminent Mexicans-Santa
Anna and Paroles, for example, have been i'm
prisoned within its walls Within these walls,
100, the Texans taken at the battle of Mier, lived
ten dredry months, during which period they suf-
fered many hardships and indgnities
And now for word respecting the castle Of
San Juan d'Ulloa--that castle, some travel
Ter, possessing more imagination than judy
ment, has styled the "Gibraltar of Americap II
was built many years ago; and, it is said, at cost
OF fifty millions of dollars. 1t is situated on an
sland which is distant from the mole of Vera
Cruz Just half mile. Covering, as the castle
does, a very large extent of ground, very large
harrison is required for its defence. On
the different batteries no fewer than one
hundred and fifty guns are mounted; and to serve
that number of cannon, quickly and efficiently,
two thousand artillery men are wanted.
As most OF our readers aware, the Castle of
San Juan de Ulloa was, in November, 1888, bonn
barded by the French Admiral, Baudn. The
Mexicans had to defend it under very disadvan-
tageous circumstances. The powder they used
was so bad, that though most OF the balls fire
with il struck the French vessels, yet they fail ed
in piercing the wood. Moreover, only nineteen
guns could be brought TO bear against the French
ships, through the carelessness of the command
ant of the castle, in allowing the French admiral
10 select, at his leisure, a very advantageous po-
sition.
The castle surrendered after six hours fighting.
The loss OF the French was uivlal--that of the
Mexicans very great.
The French had, in action, three frigates,
and corvette, carrying one hundred and
eighty guns; and two ketches, or bomb YES
sells, each carrying two mortars.
We do not doubt that the government is right
IN supposing that the best plan OF capturing San
Juan de Ulloa is, first to take possession Of Vera
Cruz, and then to lombard the castle from the
town. Still, we think that well directed force
from three or four line of battle ships, and half
dozen bomb ketches would, in less than two
hours, cause the castle to captuate. But why
nor attack 1t by night assault That may be
The easiest mode Of any The lowness of the en-
brasures, and the small number OF troops in the
fortress, would favor attack by escalade At
all events, an able English Admlral-Iord cocb-
rane,we believe-said that if he had N a,aoI Ca
Juan de Ulloa it would be the way JUS, no;r,ed
out.
But we care not how the castle is taken. AZ :,
be but taken speedily, Its fall will be far heaver
blow to Mexico than the fall of Monterey was
The moral effect upon the Mexicans would be-
tremendous and we should not be at all sur
prised If the last gun fired at the capture OF
san Juan de Ulloa, was also the last gun fred
curing the war with Mexico. But who knows