Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-04-17
LETTERS FROM THE SEAT OF WAR.
TRIBUNE.
Extracts from a letter Of an officer of the .4rny 10
a friend IN NeW York.


credit it that have myself and taken part in such an
astounding affair.
Gen. TAYLOR himself personally the first and highest
element IN accomplishing this great victory the second was
our light artillery The volunteers whole did exceeding
~ we the exceptions to this rather individual than by
corps Santa Anna will not, think, return the conflict
until his Congress have given him further means If he does
he will assuredy be beaten again that u.s. General Taylor
commands our forces. ...,
- "The day (the 23d) was one of great vcssi-
tude two three times seemed that the day must neva-
bly, be the enemys 1t would have been but for our General
he could not would not give way he stood firm the hill,
in the midst of the fire. the whole day. until night AT night,
as soon dark the enemy commenced his retreat and
daylight not vesige of him to be SEEM"
FROM PHILADELPHIA NORTH AMERICAN.
Letter from an Officer on board The steamship
Princeton.
". Corr THE BALrzE, APRIL 2.
"MY DEAR BRorHER Here our way home
have the siege of Vera Cruz and present the
900 Mexican soldiers The ceremony took place
large plain outside of the walls 1t very imposing sight,
and that expected should see and the like
of which very few will again this continent The
soldiers seemed very Indifferent but the officers appeared
soowfu and much mortified They very poorly dress
edsome with old white hats and with black Ones
having probably dollar for months.
The bombadment lasted three days and half. The city
was greatly injured, the shells and round shot striking all
the town. One part small battery Of five guns, which
fought most CALAMITY, entirely destroyed, and from the
stencil in the neghbohood be feared that the bodies
ruins The fire from this battery truly extraordinary
the balls and shells struck the works which the and
officers of the navy fighting with almost the precision of
rifle shooting spent three or four hours hill about
quarter OF mile in the of the navy battery, and could
see the effect of shot from that and from the town.
Some Of the shells and shot struck rather make
very pleasant frequently falling within seventy five yards of
where was Stationed after having apparently just shaved the
top of the sailors fort but it sight see, and the
small risk worth hazardng.
"Iwas in the Governors palace, very fine building
cupyng side of the Plaza which General has his
headquarters, and looking into very handsome
where it evident shell had struck when Mexican gen.
tleman up and offered to show the house.
followed him. and directly what had evidently
been superb room, but then almost entirely pieces
He pointed place beside the door which was torn out
There, said he, sat lady and her children they
killed by the shell which has wrought the injury you
cat the Mexican battery which fought WELL when the
flag staff shot away, officer tore the flag from the
nan Of the staff jumped upon the paapet and held it his
hand until he himself shot down. This done three
times s.~..'. ~
The Picayune has the annexed account of the
surrender of Vera Cruz, furnished by Mr.. Halle,
one of its regular correspondents
sThis he 29h of March, has been proud day for the
American army. The ganisons of Vera Cruz and Of the
muchakedof and dreaded castle OF San Juan dUua have
vacated their quarters and retired into the Interior the
stars and stripes float gracefully where this morning
be the green, whe and red Of the enemy The spot
selected for the ceremony of laying down plain
extending back from the city walls in the direction Of Mali
bran Our army drawn up in two lines, facing inward
and occupying mile in extent. Gen. Worth appeared on
the field in full uniform, direct the arrangements and
ceve the conquered troops. The morning very clear
and pleasant and army in admirable condition
detachment of sailors and marines added much the effect
At ten o'clock precisely the weknown sound (head under
similar circumstances Monterrey Of buge, fife and drum
played Mexcans only play them, and nobody else
ought to do it, heard in the direction Of great gate
and the Mexican army began appear the column
ing between lines Women and children accompanied
the troops bearing heavy burdens Their army halted
lines stacked their arms laid down their coors
and equipments and then marched off troops Chose de-
tailed for the purpose from Worhs dvision) marched into
the city the time with coors flying and the bands
playing national airs. Capt Andersons company sd Arl-
lery) and Capt Hendricks (of the 2) entered the castle
and Lieut. Van Vlets company (of the Sd Artillery took
possession Of Fort Santiago up the American flag and
fired national salute The effect of our shells upon the
city seen, and proved have been deporable
Hardly house had escaped, and a large portion of them
ruined The shells had fallen through the and
exploded inside tearing every thing pieces bursting
through the partitions and blowing the windows The
killed and wounded among the sodery very slight
the citizens suffered severely. 1t is said that between six
and hundred men, women and children were killed
and wounded-more than three hundred being killed
"There hundred and six pieces Of artillery in
position around the city, and many more dismounted
many of the latter useless The enemy laid down about
four thousand stand of and thousand were
found the city, saying nothing of the swords ances and
very large stores Of SHE'LL solid shot, and powder
The great castle garrisoned by the following companies
Capt Andersons Capt Taylors and Lieut.. Van Vet OF
the Sd Artillery under the command of Col Bolton 1t has
hundred and sixty guns mounted several Of them g.
Founders. 1t is regular basion work. with dem-une
and covered way the side. quantity Of ammu-
milton found in the work ....
- Santiago Fort, that sptefu little place which played so
warmly upon entertainments, beautiful work, with
nine guns in barbette Of them fine English pieces In
fact most of their best ordnance Of English manufacture
though they have fine pieces made in the United States
Gen Scott ordered ten thousand raons to be issued the
suffering poor of Vera Cree, and 1t affecting
witness the crowd OF half amshed creatures they gathered
tmdly around TO receive their respective shares These
ratons will Mexicans usually last five thousand people
least four days. but it is probable that not than