Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-04-22
che Atexifou Mar.
Ffom tho New Orleans Delta
CAPTURE OF VERA CRUZ.

CAPTURE OF VERA CRUZ.
BY the arrival of our friend and correspondent
Mustang" we are placed in possession of the
following highly interesting detals;-
FROM THE FLEET.
UApBoR OF VERA CRUZ,
March 2Sth, I847.
At 10 o'clock to day white flag was sent
into the city. The bearer of il conveyed mes
sage from Major Gen. Scott, addressed to Gov.
: Morales, commander of the Mexican forces
This message was a formal summons to surren-
der the city of Vera Cruz and the castle of San
Juan de Ulloa, without resort to any further
defence. as the General in-chefo of the American
forces desired to avoid any further bloodshed
Gov. Morales replied in very dignifed tone
and style OF language, in substance, that he was
sorry to be the cause of unnecessary bloodshed
and loss of life, but that he had a high and i'm
portant duty to perform, involving the honor of
his army and the interests of his country, and
that he would not surrender until he had exhaus-
ted every means of defence.
The Mexcans, during the forenoon, set fire
to several buildings and cleared away the masks
to some batteries they had not hitherto exposed,
notwithstanding they have kept up constant
trlng on our entertainments during the process
of preparation, from the Castle, Fort Santiago,
and basio front IN the rear of the city.
The conferences between the belligerent forces
having concluded at two o'clock, at four the A.
merlcan battery, consisting of only mortars,
commenced the bombardment of the city The
shells fell into the place after the few first fires,
and exploded with as much precision could
have been desired. The city from one end to
the other soon became enveloped in n cloud of
smoke-the vivid and urid flashes Of the artille-
ry, from their city batteries breaking through it
at brief intervals, and report alter report followed
each other IN quick succession. until after the
dusk OF the evening had passed, when they COM
paratively ceased. The round shot and shells
fell heavy and fast at the entrenchments behind
which our batteries were planted.
THE NAVY.
As soon as Com. Perry perceived the land for.
ces engaged he ordered Capt. Tatnall, with what
Is called the Musquito Fleet" consisting of the
steamers Spitfire and Vixen, and five gun-boats,
viz: Refer. Bonita, Tampico, Falcon, and Pc
trel, to attack. Capt. Tatnal inquired at what
point he should engage. Com. Perry very en-
phatically replied" Wherever you can do the
most execution, SIR"
Accordingly the little fleet took position under
point Of land known as the "Lme Kiln" a.
bout mile from the city, where thev were pro-
teced by point blank shot 'of the Castle. AS
soon as they got their position in line they OPEN
ed fire of round shot and SHE'LL at a rapid rate,
and threw them " handsomely" into the town and
Fort Santiago.
The castle soon paid its respects to Capt Tat
nall, and the powerful engines of havoc and
destruction were now in full blast from every
quarter, hurting their dreadful and deadly mis-
siles into each others ranks in rapid succession,
which they kept up until about dark, when the
Mexican batteries comparatively ceased. and the
" Musqui'o Fleet" also held off for the night.
March GA norther sprung up this morning,
which has been blowing furously all day, filling
the air and covering everybody with sand. The
Mexican batteries have been quiet, with the ex-
ceptioh of few shots about midnight, when
they opened sharp fire for short time Our
mortars have not ceased during the night, but
continued to pour into the city constant stream
of fire. At one time saw as many as six shells
in the air, the whole of which exploded in the
city, about the same time, with terrific and
deadly effect.
Just as daylight was approaching, Captain
| lataars Musquito Fleet weighed anchor, and
under cover OF moon somewhat clouded, ap-
preached within AK hundred yards OF the Castle.
As they got their respective positions
they opened brosdside from the fleet, which was
answered by the Castle with great spirit, both by
round shot and shell.
Capt 7. continued the engagement for about
half an hour, although the signal from the Com
modore's ship, calling him off, had been hoisted
for some time; but, ! suppose was not seen, on
account of cloud of smoke which hung around
the shipping.
This attack of Capt r. on the Castle is con-
sidered one of the most daring fea,s that has
been attempted since the commencement of hos
tilities.
During the whole of today, (23d) Gen. Patter
son, in conjunction with the Navy, have been
making the most extraordinary exertions TO finish
an entrenchment 10 plant marine battery, con-.
sisting of three 66's and two long 32s, which
have been landed during the course of the day
from on board different vessels of war;
About 200 volunteers and sailors were attach
ed to each piece of ordnance, which was by
them conveyed over sand hills and hollows half
knee deep in sand, and through a lagoon about
2 feet deep and rs yards wide with soft bot
tom. They were all placed in position, about
three miles from where they landed, ring the
night. The sailors and volunteers worked ad-
rnirably together.
During the early part of last evening, the town
was lighted up by building on fire, which was
ignited by the bomb shells. 1t was impossible
to tell what building it was, but it was supposed
by the engineers TO be the barracks.
AS soon as the fire was discovered from our
mortar battery, was very much grati6ed to OBJ
serve the cessation of our fire-for notwithstand-
ing we were endeayoring to destroy their town,
or compel them to surrender it, with their other
sronghods and Notifications, still humanity
would seem to require that temporary cessation
OF hostlllties should take place under such cir
cumstances.
War is terrible in its most modified form but
the besieglng of city like Vera Cruz, when
we know that we are battering down the houses
over some fellow creatures heads, but cannot tell
whether we are destroying the soldiers-our real
antagonists-or the women and children; and
then, besides to witness the burning houses light
ing up the church spires add domes of the prom
inent buildings, with the families moving about
on the tops of the houses in the utmost conster-
nation and apparentdespair, cannot do otherwise
than excite feeling of commiseraton.
MARcu 21thr ~1S4z.-After the fire in town
last evening, Our batteries again opened and con-
tlnued until morning. During the day the army
guns have worked very slow, on account of
short supply Of ammunition, being prevented
from landing any yesterday by the norther.
Eearly in the day, Gen. Patterson let the town
hear from HIM. The entertainments and guns
were entirely undiscovered by the Mexicans un.
til the "sailor lads" commenced unmasking.-
They soon commenced pouring into the CITY
severe and effective fire, until about o'clock
their position being only 600 yards from the walls
of the town, and with such a range as to enable
10 flank most Of the Notifications and works from
whence the enemy was firing.
The navy battery set the town on fire again
today.
The Mexcans did not fail to return General
Patterson's fire with great energy and rapidity
and am sorry to say with some effect-kiIled1