The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-03-17
Castle of Vera Cruz.

Equauioh oll vera STuZ, mas IurnlSled the
N. Y. Tribune with the following notes in
reference to the Castle
.@ The Castle of Vera Cruz is no more
what it was when France carried it, than
you are noac what you were nursing in
your mothers arms. Then there were no
guns above the calibre of "a pounds-and
but few of them-most miserably served
The magazines unarched were not bomb.
proof; the powder was of such inferior cha
racter that not shot penetrated the side of
French ship, but at the close of the en-
gagement were struck about the sides of
the shipping like SO many balls of mud :;
and in addition to all this, the commanding
officer having been instructed not 10 fire the
first gun, permitted the French Squadron
to come up and take its position as quietly
as though mooring to pass the Winter sea-
son.
Now let us see what a changed time and
severe lesson have effected in this same
castle. There are at present mounted
within its periphery nearly 800 cannons,
and these all 32s, AIS and 10 inch Paixhan,
there being Il very large number Of the lat.
ter and wherever it has been possible to
train gun upon the channel of approach,
they are planted cen barbette"-so so that
fleet moving up to the attack must be ex-
posed to the concentrated fire of 70 cannons,
over distance Of two miles, before il can
get into a position to return single shot.
The Castle of "San Juan" fronts the
city at distance Of about three eigh,hs OF a
mile; and is supported by water battery,
at the north west angle Of the town Of fiIty
SO and AZ pound guns, all of which with
those the Castle commanding the channel,
would enflade the squadron passing up,
b0lcs on, from the moment il arrived within
range of the shot until its anchors were
down, with springs upon the cables, within
the reach of musitet shot. Judge, then,
what Il force would be required for any
promise Of success and at what an immense
sacrifice it would be accomplished, If a. all.
The garrison at this moment is composed
of 1000 men. In The event of an attack
they would with the most perfect safety
retire within the classmates (which are lis
inpeIyious to shot as the sides of Mount
Orizaba) until the ammunition ofthe assai
ing force was expended, when they would
return TO their guns and sweep the waters
before them with the most terrific, destruc-
tive effect. The officer commanding the
Castle lately sent official word ",bat if the
Commodore would bring his fleet up, he
might fire until there was not shot left in
the locker. and he would promise him no.
to return gun until he was done firing"
1t is very easy 10 batter down the Castle
of Vera Cruz by few mathematical lines
upon piece OF white paper, and it is still
easier TO harrangue curious giddy crowd
at the corner Of street; to such tune
old women may pratlle over their quiet
firesides about our glorious fleets razing
San Juan de Ulloa TO the ground by sin
gle broad side, and young bucks and heroes,
pressing through fierce moustache and
imperial, may heap inveclives upon what is
called the '.masterly inactivity of Com.
Conner-but send these gentry down here,
and if they have not less brains than beard,
they will soon see the folly Of such fanfare
made, and perhaps in the ordinary hard SER
vice attending the blockade only, be thu first
to crv out, "Give me some drink, Titinius,
or die |" for there is not single officer on
this station who would no. very much pre-
fer service with the Army, with some re-
mote probability Of fight, the annoyance
and priyation OF vigorous blackade OF Vera
Cruz during the Winter month, on an al
lowance of water, with salt provisions in
crcasing. the thirst Tor it: a change of time
as far between as angels visits, with gale
after gale sweeping dark DER the main
There is no, enterprise, with toierable
promise of carrying it, that would no: be
preferable to it.
II, The City Of Vera Cruz, containing some
1000 inhabitants, and walled in with
rampant constructed of coral and mud, is
seated directly upon the strand, a low sandy