Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-04-22

From our Army at Vera Cruz
HEADQUARTERS Of THE ARMY,
Camp Washington, before Vera Cruz,

y, pId0IITT
mainder of heavy metal being in progress.
addressed, at two o'clock, p. summons to the
Governor OF Vera Cruz, and within The two hours
limited by the bearer Of the flag, received the Gov
ernor's answer. Copies of the tvs papers, (marked
respectively, A and b. are herewith enclosed.
II will be perceived that the Governor, who, IL
turns out, is the commander of both places, chose
against the plain terms of the summons, to suppose
me TO have demanded the surrender Of the castle and
the city-when in fact, from the non-arrival of our
heavy INDEPENDENTLY mortars-I was in no con-
dition To threaten the former.
On the return of the flag, with that reply | at
once ordered the mortars, in battery, to open
upon the city. In short time the smaller vessels of
Commodore Perry's squadron-two steamers and FIVE
misunderstanding TO previous arrangement with
him, approached the city within about mile and an
eighth, whence, being partially covered from the
castelar, essential condition to their safety-they
also opened brisk fire upon the city, This has been
continued, unin terruptedy, by the mortars and only
with few ntermissions, by the vessels, up to nine
o'clock this morning, when the commodore, very
properly called them off from position too darngly
assumed.
. Our three remaining mortars are now ~ o'clock,
M in battery, aud the whole ten in activity. To-
morrow, early, if the city should continue obstinate,
batteries Nos and will be ready TO add their FIRE:
No. A. consisting of -four "a Founders and two inch
Paixhan guns, and No. (nayal battery of three
81 Founders and 8-inch Paixhans-the guns, officers,
the navy being uuremtting in their jealous co-opc-
ration, IN every mode and form.
So far, we know that our FIRE upon the city has
been highly effectiveparcularly from the batteries
of l0inch nortars, planted at about 800 yards from
the city. Including the preparation and defence OF
the batteries from the beginning-now many days
and notwithstanding the heavy FIRE of the enemy.
from city and castle-we have had only four or i've
men wounded and one officer and one man killed, IN
or the trenches. That officer was Captain John
r. Vnton, of the United States Sd artillery, of
the most talented accomplished and effective men,
bers of the army, and who highly distinguished
in the brilliant operations ut Monterey. He fell, last
evening, in the trenches, where he was on duty as
field and commanding officer, universally regretted
have Just attended his honored remains soldiers
grave-in full view Of the enemy ard within reach
of his guns.
Thirteen of the long needed mortars leaving
twenty -seyen, besides heavy guns, behind = have
arrived, and two of them landed. heavy norther
then set in (at merdian) that stopped that operation
and also the landing of shells. Hence the FIRE OF our
mortar batteries has been slackened, since two o.
clock to-day, and cannot be again renvigorated until
we shall again have smooth sea. In the mean
time shall leave this report open for journalizing
events that may occur up to the departure OF the
steam ship-of-war, the Princeton, with Commodore
Conner, who learn, expects to leave the anchorage
off Sacrfcios, for the United States, the 18th inst.
March "a The storm having subsidized in the
night, we commenced this forenoon, as soon as the
became little smooth, to land shot, Shells and
mortars.
The naval battery, No. 5, was opened with
great activity, under Captain Auck, the second in
rank of the squadron, at abont 10, a. m. His hire
was continued to o'clock p. m, little before he
was relieved by Captain Mayo, who landed with a
| fresh supply of ammunition-Captan A. having ex-
hausied the supply he had brought with hin. He
lost four sailors, killed, and had officer, Lieut.
Baldwin, slightly hurt.
The mortar batteries Nos. l, 2, and g. have fired
but langudly during the dsty for the want of
shells, which going out frum the beach.
The two reports of Col. Bankhead, chief of artil-
lery, both Of this date, copies of which | enclose,
give the incidents of those three batteries.
Battery No. A, which will mount four "a Founders.
and two S-inch Paixhan guns. has been much delayed
in the hands of the indefatigable engineers by the
noriher that filled up the work with sand nearly as
fast could be opened by the bablnded laborers.
1t will. however. doubtless be in full activity early
tomorrow morning.
March 25.-The Princeton being about to start for
Philadelphia, have but Il moment to continue this
report.
Ali the batteries, Nos i, 2 3, A, and 5, are in
awful activity this morning. The effect is no doubt,
very great and think the city cannot hold out be-
yond TO day. Tomorrow morning many Of the new
mortars viii be in position to add their fire, when,
after the delay of twelve hours, if propo-
sition to surrender should be received, shall organ
ze parties for carrying the city by assault. So far
the defence has been spirited and obstinate.
| enclose copy of memorial received last night,
signed by the consus of Great Britain France Spain
and Prussia within Vera Cruz. asking to grant a
truce to enable the neutrals, together with Mexican
women and children, To withdraw from the scene OF
havoc about Them shall reply, the moment that an
opportunity may be taken, to say. That truce
can only be granted the application of Governor
Morales, with view to a surrender 2. That in
sendinU saegua rs 10 the different cOnSulS, beginning
as far back as the 18th inst. distinctly adnsonished
them-partlcularly the French and Spanish consuls-
and of course, through the two the other consuls-
Of the dangers that have followed 3. That although,
at date had already refused TO allow any person
whatsoever pass the line of investment either
YET the blockade had been left open TO the consus and
other neutrals pass their respective ships of
war ND to the 22d inst; and 4th. shall enclose to
the memoriasts copy Of my summons to the Gov
ernor, show that had fully considered the impend-
ing hardships and dstresses of the place, including
those of women and children, before one gun had
been fired in that direction The intercourse between
the neutral ships of and the city was stopped at
the last mentioned date by Commodore Perry, with
my concurrence, which placed on the ground that
that intercourse could moi fail to give the enemy
moral aid and comfort. s -t4
1t will be seen from the memorial, that bate
ries have already had terrible effect on the city,
(also known through other sources and hence the
inference that a surrender must soon be proposed.
| In haste, .s..rs
have the honor to remain sir, with high respect,
80 - - - '' WINFIELD SCOTT.
Hon. WIN. L. MARCY, Sec'y of War.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Camp Washington, before Vera Crus.
March %, l647