The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-04-03
San Juan D'Ulloa.

There are very different opinions asto the
power OF this Castle 10 resist an attack. Ma
ny believe that The United Suites forces will
be able to take il with ease, while many 9th
ers believe thnt they cannot take itat all The
following is an extract of II letter in the Inst
number ofthe New York Tribune from M
officer on board the U. S. ship Albany.
As from the deck with my glass swept o.
yer the city Of Vera Cruz, its environs, and
the stronghold which covers il said 10 be I'M
pregnabe to the combined fleets of the earth
it was with ralheru serious feeling that
my eyes rested upon this grim, grisly pile,
barbed and bristling with It's hundreds OF
cannon. The question: once arises, can It
be taken' Shall we ever see our fleet moving
up over the eXpnnsc before me to attack II;
doubt it very much. Certainly not with IL
ny force we have or have had there. Let
people praie as much at home us they please
about it, il il ever is done, it will be 10y ire
mendous array Of cannon, and Il most awful
loss Of life. The Castle Of Vera Cruz is no
more what it was when France carried IT,
than you ARE nOlC what you were when II nurs
ling in your mothers arms. THEN there were
noguns above the calhre of2I pounds,& but
few Of them, most miscrably served. The
magazines marched were not bomb proof;
the powder was of such an inferior character
that not shot penetrated the side OF Il
French ship, but at the close ofthc engage
ment were stuck about the sides Of the ship
ping like so many balls ofmud; aud in addi-
ton to all this, the commanding officer having
been instructed not to fire the first gan, per-
mitted the French squadron TO come up and
take It's position asquotly as though moorlng
TO pass the winter season.
Now let us see Whuta change time md 10
severe lesson have effected in this same Chs
tie. There are ut present mounted within
its periphery nearly 300 cannon, and all these
are 32s, 42s, aud 3 inch PaiXhan, there being
very large number Ofthc hitter; and where
ever it has been possible to train gun upon
the channel of approach, they are planted
zen bar bette" so that fleet moving up to
the attack must be exposed TO the concen-
tlHtcd fire of7O cannon, over distance OF :
niles before it can get into position TO return
n single shot. The Castle OF san juan fronts
the civ az distance of about three clgIts OF
a mile. and is supported by water battery,
ut The northwest angle of the town. OF nifty ~
and - pounu guns, all OF which, WIN those
ofthc Castle commanding the channcl,Woula
enhade the squad on passing up Oo"S or
from the moment it arrived Wltllil range OF
the shot until its anchors were down. WIN
springs upon the cables, within tie reach OF
musket shot. Judge. then, vGai force
would be required for any promise OF sue,
cess and at what TN immense sacrifice =
would be accomplished, fiat all. The gorrl-
son mt this moment is composed OF 1000 men.
In the event Of an attack they would with the
most perfect safety retire within the case
ments (Which are ms imperyious to shot as the
sides of Mount Orihn2a until the ommm"i-
ton of the assaling force was expended,
when they would return TO their guns nnd
weep the waters before them with The NOS
orridc, destructive effect. The officer com,
man ding tie Castle lately sent Official word
that if,.H he Col,'modore would bring lms fleet
lgfi in the Ioc,, err. AM he would promise him
no, ~ rct,,rm - ~, y unit he was done firing"