The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-02-21
VERA CRUZ, Mexico, Jan. "a, 184


appearance of Vera Crus-E6ects of the Bonn
bardment-7he Merican People, &c. &c.
very expeditions and agreeable passage, of
less than five days across the Gulf, from the time
we left the Balize, on board the schooner Deca-
tur brought us to this place. Vera Cruz presents
a singular sight to one who has never been in
walled and fortified city the walls are of strong
masonry, and extend around the entire city,
while the houses are constructed IN such man.
ner, all of stone, that each one is fortlicatIon
of itself the roofs are Hat, with parapet walls,
and from the roof of one house you can walk over
those of the entire block. Had our forces been
obliged to have taken the city by storm, we
most certainly would have lost immense
number of lives. So well prepared were the Mex
leans for defence-antlclpatlng an assault by
that Immediately outside OF the walls Of
the city are innumerable pits, In each of which
were pixies, INFO which the horses and men
would have fallen. The Mexlcans must have
taken this idea from the example of Bruce at
Bannockbun; not with as much success, how
ever.
There are many ruins of the bombardment
visible in a walk round the city; the top OF the
wall in many places knocked off shell buried IN
the sides of houses, and houses in ruins, where a
shell has exploded in their midst. Immediately
outside of the walls a large church-the
Georgia cavalry, Captain Loyalls company, are
no encamped In (which was nearly destroy
ed by the balls. The first one fired completely
destroyed a magnificent image OF the Virgin
Mary, and the next one scattered the ornaments
of the altar to the four winds. This conduct
highly exasperated the Mexlcans, and from the
guns on the wall nearest the church, was the
most damage done to our lives.
The better class of Mexicans whom see here,
seem to me to wear revengeful look, while
the commoner class are detected and suen
They have the fullest privileges in the city, and
pass in and out OF the gates at pleasure. Num-
bers of them are employed in the different de-
partments. and at work on the streets. They
receive $25 a month and ratlons; more than
years pay to many OF them before. In appear
ance they resemble the indians very much; are
neat in their dress; but, am told, exceedingly
negligent in regard to the cleanliness OF their
persons and houses have seen but few OF their
females, who, should say, were pretty the
better class, however, keep in their houses, ana
are not therefore visible. shall, perhaps, write
you at another time, more at length, descriptive
of their appearance and habits
The Alabama Battalion is encamped al San
Imam. IS miles from here. have been to the
camp and passed the ground where the last
train was attacked; the bones of two men, who
were killed in it, were visible, where they had
ouerillas The Alabama Battalion expect TO
move from san Juan for the city OF Mexico IN
about two weeks.
The hotel where am stopping is the "Deli.
gence," kept by Mr.. Bell, an Englishman all
the waters are Mexicans, and only speak their
own language. A large train leaves the CITY
to-day for Mexico, under bold escort The
Georgia Independent Horse, under Lieutenant
Anderson, form part of the escort, and anxious
tor an adventure, | have attached myself to them
for this expedition. We shall be absent about SIX
days. General Twiggs yesterday made VISIT
to the flag ship, in company with the commodore.
Those writing to their friends In the army here,
should be advised that by superscribing on the
direction, belonging TO the army" the letters
are free Of postage. GLENCOE