Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1847-04-28
CASTLE OF SAN JUAN DE ULLOA.

CASTLE OF SAN JUAN DE ULLOA.
a Washington correspondent says in reference
TO the surrender of this castle Gen Scott thinks it
moned it, for with the means he then possessed
he was not, he says, justified in summoning it. On
the contrary, Gen. Scott was so exceedingly desi-
rous that the city should surrender, that he was
ready to pledge himself not to fire from it, or its
bastions, on the castle-if the castle would agree
not to fire On the city"
The same correspondent says: AS to the city
of Vera Cruz it is surprising that it resisted at ALL
even b. way of sham The voluntary surrender
of the castle requires explanation. Whether it has
been the result of cowardice, of treachery, or of
policy, it does become any American to make any
great boast of ii, as ACHE, enent Of our arms
for no American (uniess ii is some secret diplo-
matist,) had any thing 70 do with it. There was not
agun fred upon it b. our land and naval forces
The surrender OF the Castle seems to have been
oregone conclusion; and it is a pity, under such
circumstances, that single lie should have been
sacrificed to it..
The following particulars in reference TO the
castle and the attack on Vera Cruz, from the Jour
nal Of Commerce, will be interesting to our readers
When this castle was taken possession of by the
French on the @6th Oct, 1883, il was in compare
lively de.epceess state--tEc garrison having been
small, the number of guns only 1874, and those OF
small caibre,-and tie whole establishment essen
tally on peace footing. Since that date it has
been immensely strengthened the number of guns
being 300 more, many OF them Paixhans, and of
immense calibrc. A Charleston paper, on the
strength Conformation ders cd from Acting Master
Huger bearer OF despatc hes from Vera Cruz to the
Navy Department, states that the whole number OF
cannon captured by the Americans, in the castle
town. and enyirons is between Gao and 700!
The French fred I'LL solid shot, weighing 60
672 los, besides 3O2 botnb shells and III PAX nan
shells They had three lrgates aad one corvette
engaged, mounting an aggregate oil 1b4 guns; also
four mortals. They lost only 4 men killed ana -
wounded.
The preparations by Gen Scott were on much
more extensive scale,-but tLey only in part
brought into play. Many o, the bomb vessels had
not arrived when the cap;ule took place. The Ohio
rshp Of OF the lne although Just arrived, was not
employed in the attack, nor were any of our YES
sells of war except few sma steamers and gun
boats. 1t was essentially land nvesment-in
which however the naval force efficiently coope1a-
| ted. The plan contemplated breach in the walls
OF tie city, (Which effected to practicableH
extent Dc.oIc the si;rrcader,) ana then the town
was 10 be carried by assault Fortunately tie lat
ter was rendered unnecessary, and consequently our
| loss was only Is killed so wounded 1t seems al
most incredible that Of The strong cs ortresses
| IN the world,-garrsoEed, including the town. by
force OF at least 1000 nlcn-cold be reduced with
| a loss TO the beseigers so comparatively SMALL
| The Mexican shot represented to have been
| fired with great precision,-yct they almost uni
iormly missed their objects. The fact appears to
be, that wherever land ns estnent can be made and
sustained in spite OF solties from within and as
saults from without there is no town or castle on
the face Of the earth, but what can lie ultimately
reduced. \ town or castle presents fixed and
extensive object, upon and into which shells can
be thrown III any number, and of weight sufficient
| 10 penetrate the ordinary bomb Proofs The line
OF investment, OH the other hand pres ents compare
| lively a small mark for shell and as to round
shot, they can be guarded against by the besiegers
as well the besiesod 1t is calculated that in the
late attack OH Vera Cruz people threw GOO
shot and Shells weighing 4G36OO lbs; or 232 tons
Rather heavy shower, we are thinking. No Won
der many of the inhabitants were killed and woun-
dcd
The Castle of San Juan will now be garrisoned
by a small American iorcc (5o0 men will be
p!enty,) which will put an end to running the
blockade, and render it unnecessary TO keen LARGE
naval force at that point. Almost the whole land
force can be spared for operations in tie Interior
Before this time, Gen. Scott, with K, 900 or 1900
men, is doubtless Oh his march Tor the Mexican
capital.