The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-04-13

bout half a mile from the shore. A small
hOwiiZer was Immediately drawn up 70
the top of a sand hill and a FIRE was
opened, which soon scattered the enemy.
The division continued to penetrate %
the interior among the sand hills, the
Mexieans retreating before them.
The ID and Sd divisions followed close
and took positions. Gen. Paterson sent
Gen. Pillows brigade to the interior, and
took his position on the left Of General
Worth's division. Gen. Twiggs took
his position 10 the rear Of Patterson's. -
An Old cathedral was taken possession Of
by zen. Pillow and soon afterwards 4
magazine containing $50 boxes of ammu-
milton. During all this time The enemy
kept up a fire Of shell and round shot
from the town and castle, few OF which
reached our line. and those doing no harm.
At o'clock. A. W., the LILLE U. s.
steamer SpItire ran in close to the town
and fred a number of shells into the
place, receiving a FIRE from the castle IN
return.
This morning our army moved still
nearer the own -Worth's division on
the right, and resting on the sea shore;
Gen. PattersOn's IN the centre extending
back INTO the country. and Gen. Tw1gg's
division on the left, still further into the
interior. They have approached consid-
erably within range OF the guns in the
town, and can be reached by those in the
castle, from both of which a brisk can
nonading has been KEEP. up during the
day.
The line extends across the railroad
which CUES from the town to the maya
zine, and the aqueduct which supplies
the city with water, Is likewise IN our
possession. In short, the city is fairly
invested, and communication BY the main
road cut of. Enrenchments have been
marked out, land VIII be worked on to-
night which are near enough to the walls
10 render our heavy guns effective
These guns have not been taken ashore.
SIeptoe's light battery with the horses,
have been landed, with several pieces Of
larger calIbre. Neither Dunczn's or Tay-
lor's battery has arrived, nor has Col.
Harvey reached here with the 2nd ORA
goons. A number Of vessels with troops
and ordinance. which were due a week
ago, have not been heard of
There has been considerable skirmish-
ing to-day, aud some twenty of our men
wounded, among them Lieut. Col. Dick
son, of the South Carolina regiment, but
not dangerously. Fifteen or twenty Of
the Mexican cavalry have been taken pri-
soners, horses and men, and some fifty
killed. It IS said that there are only about
$500 troops in Vera Cruz and the Cas-
tie.
March 13.-Testerday was a holster
Gus day. A heavy noFiher sprang up IN
the morning and continued all day
There was no firing on shore, bu. / sus-
pect our people were busy preparing tho
entertainments.
The bark Tamaroo has just been turn
ed TO a position convenient for landing
the siege guns with which she Is loaded
The ID Dragons have not arrived, nor
have the light batteries Of Duncan and
Taylor. The Alabama goes out to Tam
pIco tonight, and | viii send this by her,
hoping It may reach you early. II.
A letter from Mr.. Kendall. dated al the
Camp ground near Vera Cruz, on the
18th ult-, says:
Il do not think, from all that I can see
and learn, that Gen. Scott will be able to
plant his batteries for several DAYS to
come; and until he can make 4 good show
ne viii not open upon the town at all
When the bOmbardnIent does commence
1t viii be IN earnest"
On the morning OF the 18th, at the mo-
ment of the starting of the Portiz. he
again writes as follows:
"At hsIf-past three o'clock this morn
ing the enemy opened with round shot
and shell, not only from the batteries n
round the town but from the castle
Rockets were also thrown, and the SKY at
times was completely liz up by them; vet
a large portion Of them fell far short. In
the mean time our men are compelled 70
remain quiet and take this 6re-the hzr-
dest dnEy a soldier has to perform. All
are anxious TO strike back, and they vii
be graIi6ed in the course Of q few days.
In haste, 6. ". h
WTrr EoR Tox THUwB-There vas