The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-04-05
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Camp Washington, before Vera Cruz,

|
| HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
| Camp Washington, before Vera Cruz,
| March 10Th, lS47.
SIg The colors of the United States triumphant
y planted ashore, in full view of this city and its castle
and under the distant fire of BOTH in the afternoon of tn,
9th instant Brevet Brgader General Worths brigade o
regulars led the descent quickly followed BY the division
OF United States volunteers under Major General Patter
son, and Brigader General Twggs's brigade o.
regulars The three lines successfully landed in sixty
seven surf boats each boat conducted by naval officer
and rowed by sailors from Commodore Corners squadron
whose lighter vessels thanked the boats to be
dy protect the operation by their fire. The whole
army reached the shore in fine style, and without dec
opposition, ION the beach, accident loss driving the
| enemy from the ground to be occupied
The line OF Investment, according to General Orders
No. AZ, was partially taken up the same night but has
only been completed to- day-owng to the most extraor-
binary difficulties: l. The envrons of the city, outside
of the fire of its guns and those of the CASTLE broken
into innumerabe hills OF loose sand, from twenty two
hundred and fifty feet in height with almost impossible
forests OF chappara beween and q OF all means of
land carts, pack saddles horses
and mules expected to JON from Tampco and the Bra
EOS, weeks asobut fifteen carts and about one hundred
draught horses have yet arrived Three hundred pack
mules greatly needed to relieve the troops in taking
subsistence alone, along the line of investment of
than hve miles, as at present. our only depot Is south OF
the city On the cessation of the present raging noher
which almost stiles the troops with sand-sweepng away
hills and creating hope to establish second de-
pot north OF the city, which will partially relieve the left
wing Of the army
In extending the line of investment around the city, the
troops for three days. have performed the heaviest abors
in getting over the hills and cutting through the interve
ning orestal under the distant fire oil the city and
casle-and IN the midst of many sharp sklrmlshes
with the enemy In these operations we have
lost in killed and wounded several valuable Off
GERS and men,; Among the killed, | have to report
Brevet Capt Alburts, Of the United States I'd infantry,
much distinguished in the Florida war, and most excel
lent officer he fell on the 18th inst; and Lieut. Col
Dickinson, OF the South Carolina regiment, badly
wounded, in a, skirmsh the day before Two prlvates
have been killed these operations and four or five
wounded AS yet, have not been able to obtain their
names.
AS soon the subsistence of the troops can be as
sued and their positions well established, shall by
an organized movement cause each brigade OF regulars
and volunteers to send detachmens with supports to
clear its 'front.' including subbourgs of the enemys par
ties, so as to obige them TO conine themselves within
the walls of the city.
have heretofore reported that but of the
siege train and ammunition had reached me. The re-
mander is yet unheard Of We shall commence landing
the heavy metal soon the storm subsidies, and hope
that the five sevenths may be up in time
The city being invested, would, doubt, early sur
render, but for the fear that if occupied by II would
Immediately be fired upon by the castle am not aogeth
without hope OF finding the of coming to
compromise with the city on this subject
So far the principal skirmshng has fallen to the lot
Of Brgadier Generals Pillows and Quitmans brgades;
themselves admirably Indeed, the whole army is full OF
zeal and confidence, and cannot fail to acquire distinction
in the impending operations.
To Commodore Conner the officers and sailors OF his
squadron, the army indebted for great and unceasng
assistance, promptly and cheerfuly rendered. Their
operation is the constant theme OF gratitude and ad
miraton. handsome detachment of marines, under
Capt Edison, OF that corps landed with the first line and
is doing duty with the army.
March l3.The enemy at intervals continues the fire
OF heavy ordnance, from the city and castle, upon our
line OF investment, both by day and night, but with little
effect
The norher has ceased, which has renewed our com
muncaon with the store ships at anchor under Sacri-
cios We shall Immediately commence landing the few
pieces of heavy ordnance with ordnance stores at hand
and hope soon to have the necessary daught mules to
take them their positions Any further delay in the
arrival OF those means OF transportation will be severely
felt III operations
have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect,
your most obedent servant,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Hon VIM. L. Marcy, Secretary of War
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Camp Washington, before Vera Cruz,
March a., 1S47.
SIR: I had scarcely despatched my report OF the 18th
instant with the postscript OF yesterday, to 60 10 New
Orleans by the cutter Ewing before the norher,
which had nterittcd some hours began to blow again
with increased violence We of course again cut
off from all communication with Commodore Corners
squadron and fleet of vessels anchored under the
Island of Sacrfcos Surprising the Ewing to be detain-
ed by the storm, add particulars in the hope OF
getting on board this report to go with the Just men,
toned.
The enemy continues the fire OF his heavy guns upon
our line of investment but only from time to time, and
without effect, far has yet been reported AT this
moment our attacking parties by brgades, as ordered
Yesterday (see general orders No 53 are engaged in
driving in the enemys posts and sklrmshers as TO
clear the space between and the city, and enable
recommending officers 10 note well the intervening
ground This operation may not be completed before to-
morrow morning. or at least may not learn the results
at earlier hour
Another vessel is off, loaded with ordnance and ord
nance stores, which may give about half the amount
of each required.
No wagons and teams of the many hundreds which
ought to be up, known be at hand but it is conf
IDENTIFY hoped that the present norther will bring us as
many our immediate necessities require.
could not postpone the descent, successfully made
the 9th instant for the half OF the surf boats Brgader
General Shields brigade (od volunteers from Tampico
the wagons aud teams, which then behind That
general landed with the army having small lrt OF one
OF his old regiments, hree companies of the Sd Illinois
foot) and the New York regiment of new volunteers
The regular cavalry, and the Tennessee volunteer
cavalry yet all behnd the former hourly expected from
the Brazos, and the latter from Tampico. | am much
crippled in my operations-paculary in distant
norngs, by the absence of that portion of the army
the officers saddle horses, including my own, shipped at
the BraZos, are also behind
sent in this morning, by flag of truce, my
herewith TO the consuls of France and Spain, residing
within Vera Cruz accompanied with printed safe guards
for BOTH well for the consuls OF Great Britain and
ter two. do not know whether there be any other
sui in that city
l. anything else of interest should occur before send
ing off this DESPATCH will add postscript.
WIN high respect have the W hSnS to Sa your
Hon. Wn l.. MARCY, Secretary OF War,
Enclosure in the above leer.l
HEADQUARTERS OF THE u s ARMY,
Camp Washington, before Vera Cruz,
<. March 18th, 1917.
The undersigned, Major GeSMal Scott, generaI-in-