Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-04-23
The Capture Of Vera Cruz.


The splendid and effective operations of Gen.
ScorT before Vera Cruz. which resulted in the
surrender OF that city together with the Castle
of San Juan d'Uoa, exhibit in the strongest
manner the great military ability of that distin-
gushed officer. We believe no officer in the
American Army, (and the officers in the Ameri
lean Army are in our opinion, the best in the
world.) is so competent to prepare and conduct
the operations Of a regular seige. or to arrange
and dispose an army in the best manner for the
fighting of a regular pitched battle, as General
Scorr. AS stratcgist and a tactician he is
acknowledged to be without superior. His
foresight and sagacity, relative to the concen-
traton and combination of the volunteers and
regulars of the army in Mexico, have been sig
nally illustrated by the course Of events since
his correspondence with the War Department.
which called out so much small wit and undc-
served ridicule, last summer. AS Gen. ScoTT
then told the Secretary of War, so it has been.
We believe Gen. TAYLOR was unable to move
an inch from Matamoras before the time pre-
dicted by Gen. ScoTT, and for the very reasons
that he assigned in his letters to Marcy months
before. And while the Attorney Secretary of
War, and the Attorncy Commander-in-C Chief,
Mr.. Polk, were chuckling with ill.conceaed de-
/ light, and all of military Locofocodom was at
tempting to burst with establishment, at the crude
and cunbrous plans Of Gen. ScoTT, which were
to require the expenditure Of so much unneces-
sary time, events were steadily in progress that
proved both their shallow knowledge of the great
concerns they were miseraby mismanagng,
and his sound judgment and practical ability
therein.
We give below the most important dispatches
of Gen. ScoTT touching the investment, and
capture of Vera Cruz.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY.
Camp Washington before Vera Cruz, March %, 1917.
Sin Yesterday, seven Of our ten lO-nch mortars
being IN battery and the labors for planting the
mainder OF our heavy metal being in progress, ad-
dress ID NJ two O'Clock, r, m. summons TO the Gov
ernor OF Vera Cruz and within the two hours limited
by the bearer OF the flag, received the Governors ans
wer Copies OF the two papers, (n1rked respectively
A and b. are herewith enclosed.
twill be perceived that the governor, who, il turns
ont the co.nmanIer OF both places, chose against
the plain terms oi the summons, To sippos, me TO have
demanded the surrender OF IN. castle All OF the city
principally mortois-lwas IN no condition 10 threa-
ten the former.
On the return Of the flag, with that reply, at once
ordered the seven moriais III battery, to open the
city In short time the smaller vessels OF Commo lore
Perry's squl dron-two steamers AMI five schooners
according to previous arrang ment with HIM, approach
ed the city within about mile All m csath, wac
being partially covered from the clstle--au ess.ntla
condition their satety-ihcy also opened brisk fire
upon the city TINS has been continued. uninterrup
teddy, by the mortars, and only with few inicrns
sions by the vessels up TO nine O'Clock this morning
when the commodore, very properly, called them oil
from position too darlngy assumed.
Our three remaining mortars now (l2 o'clock
M in battery, and the whole ten in activity To
morrow, early, il the city should continue obstinate
batteries Nos. aud 5wil be ready to add their fire
No. 4, consisting of four 2i-pounJers and two Sine
Paixtau guns and No. naval battery of three 3
Founders and three S.inch Paixhans-the guns, oiii
GERS, and sailors landed from the squadon--our friend
i OF the vavy being unremtig in their jealous co.ope
ration, i'll every mode and form
So far We know that our flre upon the city has bee
highly eectve--plrticularly from the bltt-ries of 10
:, inch lnortars, plated at about 80 yards from III
ciiy--lnciudng the preparation and defence OF tn
G batteries, from the begnnlng--now many days--an
notwithstanding the heavy ire OF the enemy, from tn
: city and castle--we have only had four or five me
e wounded, and one officer and man killed in G
= near the trenches.
IS That officer was Captain John r. vnton, of til
United States g. artillery, one OF the most talented, AZ
c)mpllshed, and effective members OF the army,
who was highly distinguished in the brilan, oprrao
v at Monterey He fell last evening, in the trenche
. where he was on duty as field and commanding Office
% universally regretted have Just attended his hone
D. red remains to soldiers grave--n full view OF I'll
enemy andwithln reach Of his guns
Thirteen oi the long needed mortars lcnving twer
e tyseven, besides heavy guns behind have arrived
Two OF them landed. A heavy noriher then set in &
lr merian) that stopped TINT operation, and also II
If landing OF shells Hence the fire Of our mortar ba
teries has been slackened, since o'clock to-day,
~ cannot be reinvigorated until we shall again have
smooth SEA In the mean time shall leave this repo
open tor jOurnalzng events hnt may occur up to Il
y departure OF the steam ship OF war, the Princeton, Con
r. modurc Conner who, learn, expects 10 leave the
chorage OIL Sacrlcios, tor the United States the %
instant.
a March 2i--The storm having subsidized in the mig
we commenced this forenoon, as soon as the sea b.
u came little smooth, to land shot, she lis and inora:
nf The naval battery, No was opened with great u
tvity under Captain Aulick the second i'll rank OF Il
m squadron. about 10 II: IN His fire continued to
~ O'Clock, p. III. little before he was relieved by Cal
. Mayo, landed with fresh supply OF amnuni,ic
IL Capt A. having exhausted the supply he had broug
he with him. lie lost four sailors killed, and had one
fcer, Lieut. b ,ldwin, slightly hurt.
e, The mortar batteries, Nos and 3, have fired
I'M languidy during the day Tor the want OF shells, viii
are now going out from the beach
au The two reports OF Col Bankhead, chief OF arille
ut both OF this dae, copies OF which enclose give the
cidents Of those three batteries
We Battery No 3, which Will mount four 2i-pounde
to and two S-inch paxhan guns has been much delay
Of IN the hands OF the interchangeable engineers by
VI nother that filled the work with sand nearly as
by asst could be opened by the halt blinded laborers.
the wil however doubtless be in full activity early
'"e morrow morning
zen -, March 25-The Princeton being abou, to start
-. Philadelphia, ! have but moment to continue /
'hs report.
hat All the batteries, Nos L. 3, l. and S, are in NV
49,. ACTIVITY ms morning The effect is no doubt, v,
ry great, and think the city cannot hold out beyond
IN. day Tomorrow morning many of the new mort
vii be IN position to add their fire, when or after
IN delay OF some twelve hours il proposition 10 surr
der should be received, shall organize partirs ior
ryng the city by assault SO far the defence has be
, a spirited aud obstinate.
M signed by The consus of Great BRIAN Francs ~
and Prussia, within Vera Cruz, asking me to gran
-. truce to enable the neu.ras. together with Mex,
at women and children. 10 Withdraw from the scene
the havoc about them-l shall reply, the moment that
/, opportunity may be Ia ken, TO sly-l That truce
u.s. only be granted on the application Of Governor
in aies, with view to surrender -. That in send
safeguards 10 the different consu-. beginning as
acS asthe l3h ilrr