The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-04-13
halted and commenced the work of en-


halted and commenced the work Of en-
t~renchment.
The pipes used for the purpose Of sup
plying the city with fresh water, have
been discovered and broken up, complete
ly cutting of the supply from the tanks,
which are situated some short distance
from the city.
During the advance upon the rear Of
the city, passed midshipnan Rogers. who
had not yet been sent from Vera Cruz,
was bound on a cart and ordered to De
conveyed, under a guard to the prison at
Perote, but fortunately they were encoun-
tered by our forces and Mr.. Rogers was
rescued and is now on board his ship.
The city IS nov completely surrounded
by our troops, each division having taken
a strong and advantageous position, with
entertainments, completely cutting of all
communication by sea or land, and. at
the same time, are safe from the FIRE of
the castle. The positions of divisions
were established on the 18th, extending
from Punta de Hornos, on the right, 10
Puntg de Ia Catlts. on the Ieft, in one n
broken line, and active preparations were
on foot for the immediate s~ubjugaIion Of
this formidable place.
So closely IS Vera Cruz now besieged,
and So entirely are every means of com
munication cut of. that in a very few
days, the news must reach US that both
the city and the castle are occupied by
our victorious troops.
The general impression seems TO be
that the city will surrender in the course
of ten DAYS or two weeks. No doubt is
expressed of the successful termination
of the enterprise.
The Porlia was DELAYED from the 18th
to the 18th by the prevalence OF a Nor
Their, during which time the discharge Of
heavy ordinance was frequently heard,
which doubtless proceeded from the Cas-
tie.
The vessels belonging to the squadron
employed In the service as conveys, and
for the covering the landing Of the troops
below Punta de Hornos, are: Flagship
RarItan; frigates Potomac and Princeton;
sIoops St. Mary's, Albany. and John
Adams; steamers Vixen and Spisire; gun
boats Refer, Petrol, Bonita, and Bell
The gunboats carry medium 32's.
Arrived at s. W. Pass on 10Th, pilot
boat Frolic, Capt. j. j. Sullivan, IL DAYS
from Holmes Hole; reports having been
passed BY steamer Mississippi on the
18th, in lat. 81 s. long. &c 10, steering
South.
Correspondence of the n. o. Delta.
Orr ANTON LIzARDO, March Z, lS47,l
On board U. s. steamer Petrita-
Eds. DeIta-On the 9th March, Is47,
at 9 A. NJ, we got under way to recon
noitre the CITY Of Vera Cruz and the cas-
tie with the Peirita) bearing Com. D..
G.. Connor, In company with Geas. Scott,
Worth. Patterson and Pillow, with their
aids and Typographical engineers. At2
P. NJ, stood in between the castle and
BIanequilIa, within a mile and a half Of
the castle. After passing Bianequllln, we
stood in to the southwark, and when we
came within reach Of their guns, they
fired at US seven shells and four round
shot; some of which went over us and
some fell short. II was pretty warm
work, / tell you, for we had on board all
the chief commanders of both the army
and squadron. We returned to Anton
Lizardo at about 4 p. NJ, and all the Of
icers returned to their vessels.
A memorandum furnished to the Plea
yune by Captain Powers, Of the Portia,
says:
Immediately after an organization OF
the American forces on the beach, they
took up a line Of march over the sand
hills, TO the attack of the enemy's out
posts and ratification, situated from n
to three miles from the castle and forts of
the city. They carried every one by
storm, not, however, without losing Sc
venteen men.
On the 18th and 18th, the American
forces were employed in throwing up
breastworks and digging entertainments.
Occasional skirmIshIng took place with
the enemy, who were throwing showers
of bombs and round shot from the castle
and the city, but without much elect
During this time the seamen were landing
provisions and ammunition from the rams
ports"
A letter from Mr.. Halle, Of the Plea
yune, who, with Messrs. Laumsden and
Kendall are on the spot, dated March IL,
after describing the landing, says;
About 2 O'Clock the next morning there
was an alarm in the line which extended
along the beach. The troops cheered.
and those who had fallen int a doze up
on the sand banks sprang suddenly 10
their arms. Our picket guard had ap-
preached that Of some Mexican cavalry
who were watching our movements, and
had received one or two shots. About
half an hour afterwards a detachment OF