Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1847-04-14
.From the armp, Merteo, Sc.
Surrender of VERA CRUZ.
AND THE FORTRESS OF SAN
JUAN D'ULUA!
From the Picayune, 5th.

From the PlcGyune, 5th.
We hasten TO lay before the public an
account of the taking of Vera Cruz and
the Castle of San Juan de Ulua. The
captulation marched out of the city and
Castle and gave up their guns on the 2Sth.
The U. S. steamship Princeton, Capt.
Frederick Engle, having on board Col.
Trotten, of the Corps of Engineers, bear
er of dispatches from Gen. Scott, and
Acting Master Il. b. Huger, bearer of
dispatches from Com. Perry, arrived off
the Southwest Pass on the morning OF
The ID inst, from Vera Cruz, whence she
sailed on the evening of the 29th ult.,
making the run IN The unprecedented short
time OF 50 hours She hoVe-to off the
bar for the purpose of placing three OH
GERS from The squadron on the tow boat
Hercules, and proceeded Immediately II
Pensacola, at which point the hearers OF
dispatches would land. Con, Conner
was on board the Princeton, en- route to
Ph,lade phia.
On the 22d, at 4, p. NJ, Gen. Scott
opened a heavy fire from his batteries,
consisting of nine mortars, four long 24S
and Two howlizers. On the 23d the bat
terry on the west side of the city, consist
ting of four 6S Paxhan guns and two
long 32s, manned by officers and seaman
of the navy, opened most destructive
fire, making breaches through walls and
sweeping the streets of the devoted clay.
1t was here that Midshipman Shubrick and
seven seamen fell, while ga'lantly sustain,
ing the honor of their country. The fire
was kept from our batteries until morning
of the 26th, at which time the commence.
sion Of hostIities. The "Musqulto Fleet, !"
consisting of the steamer Sptfire, Capt
Tatnail; steamer Vixen, Capt. Sands
echooners Bonita, Lieut.. Bonham; Petrol.
Lieut.. Shaw; Refer, Lieut.. Sterrett;
Tampico, Lieut.. Griffin, and Falcon. Lieut.
GLEASON; all under the immediate com
mand of Capt. Tatnall, got under way
from SACRIFICES soon after the opening
of our land batteries, and stood close into
the city. From this position they threw g
large number of shell and round shot into it,
which caused much destruction. They
came to anchor at night in the position
which they had taken, and at daylight on
the ensuing morning they moved to the
northward of the Washerwoman Shoal
and recommended the cannonade. Al
this time they were within quarter OF q
mile of the castle, the Spitfire throwing
several shells into it.
The FotIla sustained Their position IN
til 7 o'clock, and then they retired at the
signal of recall from the flag ship. Du'
rinp the whole time they were under the
Guns of the castle and city, and notwIth-
standing a heavy and incessant fire from
tho runs of the castle and Fort Santiago
thew retired without the loss of a man, the
destruction of Capt. TatnaII's ''gig" being
the only loss sustained.
The preiimnaries for the surrender were
entered into and arranged on the 9th anc
2slh, and on the 29th, the enemy, to the
number of 1000, marched out of the city
and stacked their arms in the presence o.
our whole army; their officers being al
| lowed to retain their side arms, and thei
liberty on parole. The parole of the off
GERS also required that The men should no
serve again during the war, or until ex.
changed.
Morales, who had command Of the city
had refused lis surrender as long as sho
was left or soldier to man gun; he wa!
deposed Oh the 18th, and the surrender re
ceived through Gen. Landero.
Early after the commencement Of on
fire, the gallant Capt. Vinton, of the 81
Artillery, one of the brightest ornaments
of our army fell from cannon shot which
carried away the top of his head. He hat
commanded the oulposts Of Gen Worth
situated at the linn. kiln, within 700 yard
of the city. from The FIST approach of gu
troops to the investment
On the 25th, Co. Harvey. with a squad
ron of dragons and IA few pt the IT ant
ID Regiments Of Tennessee nounteui met
under Colonel Campbell and Col mel Has
keII, and detachment of St~ptne'- flynn!
artillery under the command 81 Lieut.
Judd, in all 800 men, had "A sharp conflc
with the cavalry of the enemy, IN force o
1000 or more The Mexicans were 0.
the opposite side of the Medelin river
about nine miles from our camp, and were
strongly posted, having thrown up for
midable barricade, protecting the bridg'
: across the river This proved no obsta
Gle TO the impetuosity of our men; they
carried the bridge and cut to pieces AM
dispersed the Mexicans, after a shor
but decisive conflict. Individual feats @
galantry we're frequent during the melee
mention Of which will be hereafter. Lieut.
Nell, adjutant of the I'd Dragons, re
ceived two severe wounds from lance
but they are not dangerous. OF the Mex
lean officers who were captured at Yer
Cruz five were generals, eighteen wer
cnlnnels. thirty seven heutenant cnlnnoIo