Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-04-16
SURRENDER OF SAN JUAN DRULOA
AND VERA CRUZ.

AN y EIer1 OhNL'
By an extra issued upon Friday morning
last, we forwarded brief account OF this most
brilliant achievement of American arms to as
many of the country post Offices as the short
time in which we had to operate would permit
us. Since then nothing has been talked of
but the &c fall of Vera Cruz" The Southern
press is filled with accounts of this most bril-
liant achievement. Wegive in to-day's Jour-
nal long, but if our readers take the same
interest in the affair that we do, not too long,
and interesting account of the various Incl
dents which preceded and followed the surren.
der of these famous strongholds of Mexico.
The reader will perceive that the account is
written by gentleman who was an eye wit
ness of the whole affair. It is, therefore, the
more interesting 1t is decidedly the fullest
and most spirited account which we have seen
Thus has fallen the renowned Castle of San
Juan DUloa! This is the crowning victory
on the part Of our gallant Army and Navy.
This Castle, too, which was thought to be
lmpregnable by many of our Wing seers, has
fallen into our hands with a comparatively
insignificant loss With the possession of
this stronghold, we think that the American
army may safely march from one end of Mex
leo to the other, without encountering any Sc
rious opposition. Although we feel and adj
nit that this is one of the most brilliant ex-
ploits which the pages of our brief history
exhibit, still, in our humble opinion, it does
not rebound SO much to the glory of the Anne
rican soldier as the battle of Buena Vista
For this reason-Gen. Scott sat down before
the walls of Vera Cruz at the head of the lar.
gest and best appointed army, take it all and
all, which the Union has ever sent on any
expedition. His force was about $4,000, Of
the very flower of the American army. Ado
to this that he had the cooperation of the lar
gest and best appointed fleet which the Unior
has ever yet concentrated at one point. TX
the united prowess Of these combined forces
the city and castle yielded. This we calcula
ted upon. On the other hand, look at thc
blood-stained field of Buena Vista. There wa
| Gen. Taylor, at the head of mere handful O
men, (about $1,000 and these, comparativel,
speaking, raw troops. With this little army
he awaited Santa Anna, the best military lead
er in Mexico, who advanced upon him at tn
head of the principal army of the Republic
some 10000 strong For two long days oil
| o,d Doodx-,, foupb% N; or,-,1
and finally made 1t retire, covered with defea
and disgrace. Let the reader look upon thes
two pictures and then ask which of them vii
furnish the most brilliant page in the futur
annals of the Republic. Both affairs, howev
er, will long remain monuments of the Drawer,
of our citizen soldiers
The very natural question in connection
with this subject, now is, what effect vii
these events have in the production of treat
of peace? We should suppose, as we hav
before said, that Mexico would, by this time
see that further resistance was entirely out G
the question; and we would suppose that sh
would be anxious to close the war on an
! terms. We do not know that this will be tn
} result, but certainly, under the present aspee
} of affairs, it is reasonable presumption. W
presume that Gen. Scott will immediatel
march upon the Capital. And we now thin
that it is very probable that he will he joine
by Gen. Taylor, whose column, we thinl
will shortly push on from Aqua Nueva Tim
| however, will soon develope all these matter
and perhaps tits only waste of paper to spec
ulate upon them.