The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-29
The Castle of CllnDuIteDec.

! The following description of the Castle of Chaputepec
near the city of Mexico is contained in letter from Lieut.
A. e. Sutton, of the 18th infantry, who, with his two
sons, fought and greatly distinguished themselves in the
battles of the goth of August and 18th of September
The letter written gentleman in this city, with
out any idea of its publication 1t is dated Colegio Mill
tar, city of Mexico, October 80, 1917 He says:
Not having any attempt description of the castle
garrison, will try give you brief sketch of it,
though, from the limited time have WRITE it will I'M
doubleday be very imperfect. The great Castle of Cha
putepec-the CoLEeIo MnrrAR West Point, of Mexico
lis situated about two miles westwardly from the capital
the summit of an abrupt bluff which suddenly lifts itself
from the valley the altitude of $50 feet perpendiculay
The bluff is steep and rocky, and covered with small
stumps of trees and low underground Of brambes and
shoots the large tees having been away be
the range Of their artillery The whole fortress,
defence, is about 800 yards in length and the terepein
and main buildings about 600 feet The about
feet high and the whole structure including the WINGS bas-
tons. papet redoubts, and batteries very strongly
built and OF the splendid architecture splendid dome
decoraes the top rising in great majesty about 20 feet
above the whole truly grand and magnificent pile and
which is the front CENTRE supported by arch
upon which painted the coat-ofarms of the republic,
where oaed the tri-colorcd banner, but is now
decorated by the glorious and stripes happy
land Two very stronghold stone walls surround the
whole and at the end, where storned the works,
the outer walls ten feet apart, and twelve E
teen feet high, which charged by the help OF
ascines. 1t defended by heavy artillery, manned by
the most learned and skill gunners of their army ncu-
ding French artierists of distinction The infantry
force consisted of the officers and students ofhe institution
and the national guards and chosen of of the
publcthe whole under the command of General Bravo,
whom made prisoner The whole hill is spotted with
forts and outposs and and mud walls which were
filed with their picket castle guard huge high
wall extends around the whole rowning craggy mount,
and another along the southeast base midway from the
former and the castle walled paved road leads up in
triangular form to the main gate entering the south
pein and the whole works ingenously and beauti-
fully onamened with Spanish fastidousness and skill
view OF Chapultepec, the residence of the power
full prince Montezuma, you down the sunny val
ley of Anahuac is sight tho enchanting in the open
volume ofnaures delightful scenery mountain range
encrcles this lovely valley, the uneven rugged peaks
of whose bluffs, like the gems of India and
lit by the freaks of sunshine that drive the dark shades
from their gorges, and play in sportve majesty their
proud SUBMITS. Popocatapt is in full view southeast
wardy from This formerly a volcano; but for
long time has been slumbcring She WILL doubtless again
vomup her fiery bowels upon the pleasant valleys that
lie like carpets her rugged base. She is covered with
perpetual SHOWS, upon which the rays of the fall with
ustrc that dazzes brighter than the jewels of Golcona
Two calm CLASSY lakes Tescuco (sal and Chalco (resh
wnter ornament the scenery, closing the capital in womb
owaters like the ancient city of Tyre. Ornamental shrubbe
y splendid aqueducts, arches cistern and sculpured
satuary decorate the and main
the city Three costly and ngenousy made aqusducts
the water from the high lands the grand plaza and the
whole landscape dotted with haciendas and modest little
churches whose spires glitter through the green trees with
silver sheen quite ravishiDg. But nothing except
converts nunneries cathedras and churches, has any
prominence in the view towards the city. Upon the
WHOLE view from Chapultepec like view from Etna
you feel above the world enrapured with the delightful
scenery that fills your vision.
We had grand rspel in the halls of the Montczumas on
the evening of the 2sh Octobe and intend having another