The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-08-12


ARR the outer works gcsrred The shape Of the
walls 10 hsxagonsl, or nearly So and at the gates
sne the angles Of the walls batteries were mounted
These batteries commanded, Of course, the ap-
prosehes In front Is well as swept and snaladed
the bitches Parts Of these bitches strengthened
With palisades and 'houps de loups" In addition to
these defenses at zach Of the city there was
large and well constructed fortress armed with heavy
cannonhs fortress at the north end being called Con-
eeption and that at the south end Santiago The sea-
wall or massive curtain which connected these two for
was formidable water battery in its entire length the
streets also broken up and barcsded and cannon
we're placed in position to command them The formd
able castle Of San de Ullos which sat frownng a.
the distance of quite third Of mile from the city
was very heavily armed with guns which had been cast
fore under the preside of Santa Anna who always re-
garded Vera Cruz the key Of the Mexican territory aud
who, In anticipation Of war with u.s. mad put the
deences Of the castle in thorough repair In Snort
without burthening the memory OF the reader with
further details will be sufficient to inform him, that
the aggregate the armament Of all the Notifications
amounted to about hundred pieces OF cannon large
and SMALL and that the cost OF the ortcations proper
sxclud the city walls, has BEEN first and last fifty
millions OF dollars.
little further on we have very spirited sketch,
which includes an account of the commission Of
Mckenzie to Cuba, of the return of Santa Anna to
Mexico, and of the rejoicing in Vera Cruz 1t forms
q series OF
INTERESTING PASSAGES IN THE HISTORY OF THE
WAR.
In June July, 1896 after General Taylor had
taken possession of Matamorss and while he
izDg his force and collecting of transportation
for his movement into the interior, Commander Nc
Kenge of the navy dispatched to Cuba, secret
mission the object Of which has been officially
made known but from certain circumstances attending
and o wing his visit at no loss to It,
The reader may recolect that just previous to the
breaking out Of the General Santa Anna was
stripped Of his power President Of the Mexican repub
lie and banshed the country He selected Cuba as the
place Of his exile and established himself at village
called the CerIo about three miles from Havana where
he quite celebrate for the heavy game OF monte
which he play for the excellent rules and
ment Of mis- cockpit happened to visit the Cerro about
ths time, and heard frequent mention made Of the ex-
eellepce Of the exPresidents socks aud Of the sfu
manner in which he heeled aud handled them. General
Campbell consul at Havana in the habit Of
visiting the fallen cheftan and, such occasions
the war between their respective countries became
naturally topic of conversation, General Santa Anna
apparently with much frankness expressed himself in
Of these conversations decidedly opposed
to the Like sensible man, as he was he could not
but the folly well hopelessness of such strug
GLE the part OF his counrymen and he took no pains
TO his sentiments; the contrary, he e.msd
d. srous to impress General Campbell with the belief
that if he again at the head Of affairs, he would
speedily establish friendly relations between the two
countries. As matter Of course. government
made acquainted with these dispositions on the part of
General Santa Anna. Commander Mckenzie, who spoke
the Spanish language like a natve-aLd Santa Anna
spoke no Epgsh-was sent soon afterward, on his mis-
sion to Havana. What transpired do not know, but
Santa Anna being recalled frcm his Punishment by the
Mexican people with the view of his being restored to
power and assuming the conduct the Commodore
Conner was instructed not moes. him should he de-
sire 70 return to Mexico Early in August while the
squadron lying at anchor under Green Island keep
ing watch and ward over the enemys city and castle
Of Vera Cruz the seaman the look out at the mast
head OF the st. Marys then cruising the blockade,
deserted the smoke of steamer. As this not the
regular day for the appearance OF any Of the English
mail steamers-which bad been permitted to pass in
English government pledging itself for their faithful
conduct neutras-the smoke of q steamer was
novelty, in this now lonely and deserted part Of the
Mexican gulf The st. Marys in due time placed her
self in position to int rcept the stranger in her APP
proach to the city and as the latter came up within
hailipg distance she ordered her to heave while
was "
readiness in few minutes, lieutenant jumped into
her, and with few strokes Of his oars from the snewy
Of his seamen placed himself alongside the steamer
The steamer being evidently a merchant vessel, the
lieutenant surprised to find himself received with
his way deck and explaining the object Of his visit to
the captain he conducted TO the cabin where he
ly spanards Mexicans from their olive compilations
black hair and eyes and pointed and cured mustachios
1t obvious also at the first glance that most IL not
all these gentlemen although dressed In plain or citizens
clothes, military and persons Of bearing and
distinction. After moments pause the captain as
though he had purposely prepared surprise for the
boarding officer, turned toward him. and making a
graceful ton with his right hand at the same time
in the direction of one f the gentlemen Who though
Of the ordinary height and figure seemed by his CON-
msnding air and manner TO be the chief Of the party
said ALLOW me to present ou sr to Geo. raj Antonio
FIRST, In little surprise but recovering himself
advanced cordially toward the General and extending
his hand mutual interchange of cviities took place.
In few moments Sonora Santa Anna "a second wife,
. handsome blonde. with deep blue eyes and auburn
hair and still in the bloom Of early womanhood joined
the party and presented to the officer who sauei
Der in turn with becoming galantry and respect
General Almonte late minister to the United States
was also present one Of the Generals suite; and
speaking language we'll acted interpreter on tn
occasion General Santa Anna having explained briefly
who he was-although such explanation entirely un
necesaryand that he proposed going into Vera Cruz
with the permission Of the Commodore, the boarding
officer after sitting long courtesy required, and
mitted In homage to the ladys charms-a pettcoat be-
Ing quite unusual sight to rough about
nsndine officer and to ask for orders in the novel case
which had occurred. The commander who had been
prepared by the commodore for the contingency forth
with despatched the boat back again and directed the
ocer ~ the time that he should present his COM
plinepts TO General Santa Anna to say to him. the
Part Of the commodore that he could proceed to Vera
Cruz, with his suite he desred;i whereupon, the
steamer Arab shot boldly out from under the lee OF the
boeksding vessel and in an hour or two more landed
her distinguished passenger big with the fste Of Mexi
safely the desired haven. That night the roar Of
and the bursting Of rockets in the ar testified
lost Corioanus; and it trsnspired, that the willy
peace maker who had handsomely dupcd cabinet
Washington had put himself at the head of the ultra
party and proclaimed in common with acting-P
sident saas whom he fastened to join mo quarter to
the Yankees" Having spent few days In Vera Cruz,
20 from the fatigue Of the voyage, and In feast
ing and belligerent speech his exceency put
himself for the capital His journey thither
sembed a Roman ovation lie met at all the prin.
oips points the by committees of patriotic citi
and by the military and escorted in triumph
fcm city TO city. until he reached the capital Here he
proclaimed the federal constitution (which OF
the conditions Of his recall he sdistely set him fo
work to organize large military force. to be called the
"Libefating army In the month Of December having
obtained the requisite perm he placed himself
the head of this army under the Mexican constitution
the President cannot command army la person, with
out the consent Of Congres) and transferred his head
quarters TO San Luis Poto- II already currently
reported Ia Mexico that Vera Cruz TO be attacked
BY forces and that campaign 10 be Undertaken
having for its object the Of the city Of Mexico
ON the other hand General Taylor had sdvrnced as f
satio, and threatened the republic from the north
As late as the middle Of January, lsl1, General santa
Anna undecided TO which Of these invading
columns be would oppose; and u IL stated
good authoritytbat Of distinguished Mexican officer
who has ably reviewed the campaign If Angos.ura Baeba
VISTA In phlet entitled "RaPda oeaia sort "a
para que Also 81 General Sn IA Alma in FL staf5 De Oahu
"a 81 de Febr,To JsoTiro passeio that he finally
induced to march against General Taylor by having
eeved secret intelligence that there two thousand
Irhhmen In General Tayor's army ready TO abandon
their colors and join him. upon the nrt guns being red
IL is well known that General Arists labored undr
similar ILLUSION before he beaten at Fso Alto aud
Reeaca de In Palma: and IL Ia asserted-by the same