The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-03-10
THE sTORMINo OF VERA CRUZ.
ILLUSTRATIONS
OF THE
CITY AND CASTLE.


on the city of Vera Cruz and the bombardment of
San Juan d'Ulloa.
We publish in this days Herald the details of
the latest intelligence from General Scott's camp
10 morrow we shall give two large engravings-
one plan of Vera Cruz, and the other pictorial
view of the castle of San Juan d'Uloa. They
will be accompanied by full description OF the
city and fortress.
These engravings, with the description, will
be very valuable. They will give our readers
pretty correct idea of the place tina, may be the
scene Of one of the creates, battles in modern
times.
The Steamship Ribsrnia-Late News from
England.
The steamship Hibernia is now in her sixth
day, and will probably arrive at Boston within
eight or ten days In the meantime, however,
some packet ships may arrive with late news.
OF these there are several due from Liverpool,
London, and Havre. and it is not improbable that
some of them Will arrive before the Hiberna
does. The nerchants-the friends of humanity
land the speculators-in fact, all classes of our
citizens, are anxious to get late news from Eng.
land. They are particularly DESTROYS of knowing
the prospect before the people of Ireland
whether any circumstance has occurred to ale
viate their suffering, or whether famine still
reigns triumphant.
We will publish an extra Immediately after
the news shall have reached us, whether it shall
come by way OF Boston, or direct to this port.
The News from Msxico-The Destruction Of
San Juan d'Uiloa.
II great events cast their shadows before, then
surely some great event is about to take place at
the seat of war. Shadow after shadow has been
fitting before us for time past, each successive
one being deeper and more clearly defined than
the preceding.
The last news that we received from there is
apparently series of contradic ions. In the first
place, it was reported that the city of Vera Cruz
bad been evacuated by the Mexicans, by order of
Santa Anna. Secondly, that large part of the
encmy's forces had left San Luis Potosi for "parts
unknown" Thirdly, that Santa Anna, with an
overwhelming force, had left Saltillo and was
on his march to Monterey, and had actually driv-
en- in Gen. Taylor's outposts. Fourthly, that Gen.
Urea, with five thousand troops, was about to at
tack Matamoras.
These reports and Iumors cannot be reconced
in cay otncr manner than by assuming that Santa
Anna is making diversion on Monterey and
Matamoras, for the purpose of concentrating q
great part of his forces at Vera Cruz to resist the
landing Of American troops under Gen. Scott
These two cities are apparently threatened, but
Santa Anna is well assured by this time that if
he wished to take either of them, he would re-
quire all the force he could muster. He is too
shrewd general not to draw proper conclusion
from Palo Alto and Monterey, where, in the face
Of immense odds, the American army achieved
most brilliant victories. II he really intended to
make a demonstration of this kind, he would keep
his whole force together, and not send any por.
ton of it to "parts unknown
The report that Vera Cruz was evac uated is a
part of bis scheme, and was no doubt circulated
oy HIMSELF for the purpose of inducing General
ccott to pause in his arrangements, or send Dor.
ZION CT the force under his command to the relief
ofGcnerd Taylor. Iii was evacuated, for what
purpose did Santa Anna send away his army from
San Luis Potosi
We have conversed with some military men in
whose Judgment we repose much confidence,
about this news. They think as we do that Santa
Anna is making diversion at Monterey and Ma
tsmoras for the object we have above stated -
They further think that General Scott will meet
with more resistance than is generally supposed,
and that if the American arms shall be success
full in reducing Vera Cruz and San Juan d'Ulloa,
it viii be victory second to none in modern his
tory.
In the meantime, General Scott is engaged in
making preparations to embark. General
Worth's division is by this time at the island of
Lsbos; and if General Scott is not there himself,
he will be in day or two. The time fixed tor
The attack is the Goth Of this month"; as we have
before stated; and before the 10th of April next,
there is every probability that the American nag
will float in triumph over st. John and Vera
Cruz. II such shall be the case, Mexico will
lose her greatest stronghold She may then be
induced TO take the olive branch SO long held
forth to her, and receive a lesson that will be
of service TO her for all time to come If,
however, she shall still persist in her stubborn
course, the blow must be followed up, and the
booming of American cannon resound through
the halls Of her capital.
Many of our cotemporaries question the cor
rectness of the statement of facts which we pub
lished n few days since in regard to the occupa-
ton Of San Juan de Ulloa, after its reduction by
troops, for the purpose OF testing tho effect Of
that climate on them. We can assure them that
we were right in what we then stated, and now
repeat that it will be occupied by our troops. II
IL can be occupied without sickness, lit will-ifnot
il will be destroyed-not n stone will be left on
another.
We are OF opinion, however, that the better
way would be to destroy it at once, so that it
could not be rebuilt except at an expense greater
than the Mexican nation can afford for half
century to come. That fortress is second only to
Gibraltar in strength and impregnabiIity. 1t was
constructed at an enormous cost, and is the pride
and boast of the people. As long as it remains
in the possession of the Mexicans, the war will
continue; but let it be levelled and they are left
without even hope of success. They will then
gladly accept our terms, no matter how stringent
we may make them, for the Catholic clergy of
that people would never tolerate a foreign SOL
dicry to enter the cathedrals of the capital where
l. Lco.. IL.