Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1851-11-11
The Castle Of Chapnitepee.

\
Castle of Chapultepec, near the city
of Mexico, is contained in letter
from Lieut.. A. G. Sutton, of the 18th
Infantry, who, with his two sons,
f foughtand greatly distinguished them
selves in the battles of the goth of
August and 18th of September. The.
letter was written to gentleman in
Washington, without any idea Of its
publication. 1t is dated Colegio Mill
ter, City of Mexico, October 80,
1S47. He says:
| Not having seen any attempt at a
description of the castle We now gar
rison, l will try to give you brief
sketch of it, though, from the limited
time have to write, it will undoubt-
edly be very imperfect. The great
Castle of Chapultepec-the Colegio
Militar, or West Point Of Mexico
is situated about two miles Westward
ly from the capital, on the summit of
an abrupt bluff, which suddenly lifts
Itself from the valley to the altitude
Of $50 feet perpendicularly. The
bluff is steep and rocky, and covered
with small stumps of trees and low
underground of brqnbles and shoots;
the large trees haTing been cut away,
to be out Of the range Of their ..artil-
lery. The whole fortress or work of
defence, is about 800 yards in length
and the terreplein nd main buildings
about 600 feet. The castle is about
40 feet high, and the whole struG Gture,
including the wings, bastions, para
pets, redoubts, and batteries, is very
strongly built and of the most splen-
did architecture. 4 splendid dome
decorates the top, rising in great maj
esty about 20 feet above the whole
{ truly grand and magnificent pile, and
near which is the front centre, sup
ported by stone arch, upon which
is painted the coat-ofarms Of the re-
public, where once floated the tri-col-
ored banner, but is now decorated by
the glorious stars and stripes Of our
own happy land. Two very strong
built stone walls surround the whole;
and at the west end, where we sterni-
ed the works, the outer walls are some
ten feet apart, and twelve or fifteen
| high, over which We charged by the.
help of fascines. 1t was defended by
heavy artillery, manned by the most
learned and skillful gunners of their.
army, including some French artille-
rists of distinction. The infantry
force consisted of the officers and stu
}, dents of the Institution, and the ma
tional guards, and chosen men of war
Of the republic-the whole under the
: command of Gen. Bravo, whom we
made prisoner. The whole hill is
lspotted with forts and outposts, and
-gstone and mud 15alls, which we're fill
/, ed with their picket or castle guard
A huge high stone wall 'extends
around the whole froTning craggy
z mount, and another along the south
cast base, midway from theformer and
/ the castle. 4 walled paved road leads
mp in ] triangular form to the main
: gate entering the south terreplein;
and the whole works are ingeniously
and beautifully ornamented with
Spanish taste and skill.
t A view Of Chapultepec, the resi-
t dence of the once powerful prince
Montezuma, as you come down the
sunny valley of Anahuac, is sight
the most enchanting in the open vol /
ume of natures delightful scenery
f A mountain range encircles this love
ly valley, the uneven, rugged peaks
j. Of whose bluffs, like the gems of In :
dia, are ever and anon Lit up by the
freaks of fsunshine that drive the dark
: shades from the, gorges, and play i4
, sportive majesty on their proud sum :
! mlts. Popocatepetl is in view south +
eastwardly from US. This was form :
erly volcano, but for long time
has been slumbering. She viii doubt
; less, again yomit up her fiery bowels
upon the pleasant valleys that LIE
: like carpets at her rugged base. SlId
is covered with perpetual SHOWS, up
r on which the rays of the sun fall witt
lustre that dazzles brighter thaf b
: the jewels Of Golconda.
Two calm, CLASSY lakes, Tescufc
(salt) and Chalco Qreah water) ornh
J. ment theS5ccnery, clos ling the caplih
lIia womb Of waters, like the ancieh b
c city Of Tyre. Ornamental shrubberE
n splendid aqucducts, ar ches, cister4s
4