The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-11-19

.he dark masses Of men that constituted
the lines OF the American army. Our
amlable friends were merely trying the
range Of their heavy guns, preparatory to
"a contest which they were determined to
keepup to the last.
The next day, which was the eleventh
OF March, the sun rose bright and clear
and the work Of investment WAS immedi-
ately Commenced, Mortars and heavy
cannonS were landed from the transports
and conveyed to their destination with
speed and facility that seemed almost in
credible, and to use the expression of
General Patterson, 1.-THE work went brave
ly on"
The next morning after the landing of
the troops, II was ascertained that con-
siderable body Of Mexicans were outside
the walls Of the city, encamped upon one
of the numerous sand hills in the vicinity,
and the gallant Worth, ever Eorcnos. in
any scene where fun was 20 be anticipa.
ted, quickly drew up some oftAe field pie.
ccs OF his division. unlimbercd them, and
at once commenced blazing away at the
red skins" at once run up into the
mizzcn top, and by the aid of powerful
spy-gIass, ] could see distinctly every
thing that passed. At the fire from the
American batteries, the correct elevation
had not been obtained, and the shot fell
short, p!oughing up the sand bills, in fine
shape, and the Mcxcans stood their
ground with an air Of the greatest non
chotdnc", evidently under the impression
that the artillery was not large enough TO
throw shot such distance, but in this
they had reckoned without their host, as
they were quickly aware. A few mo
ments afterwards, | observed Wurth him
self ga'opiny down on his flne stecd to
wards the pieces of cannon, when he dis
mounted, AMI appeared to be giving some
directions to the officer in charge Of the
battery. In moment the artilerists
again commenced blazing away, and this
time there was quite a sensation produced
among the ranks OF the enemy. The shot
began 10 plough through their column,
and | distinctly saw several Of them fall.
Another discharge quickly followed, when
wiihou, more ado, the "rcd skins" sudden
ly took to their heels. bearing with them
pursued by large body of Volunteers,
but finally succeeded in ettecting their cs.
cape within the walls Of the city.
The work of investment now went on
with the greatest rapdity. The most un-
ceaslng vigilance was kept up on every
side, heavy mortars we've being plante-l
in scmi-circle about the landward side
OF the city, the sappers and miners were
constantly occupied in grading places in
the sand hills on which to station the
heavy guns, and all was life and hustle.
In the meantime our good, kind friends,
the MeXicans, were anything but idle. It.
WAS one continual roar and blaze Of arll-
levy from iheir old grey walls, night and
day, and they 10 doubt expected to reach
the dark and dense looking masses of
men. constituting the lines Of our army,
but in this they were in most cases disap-
pointed. Their shot fell short, ploughing
up the sand in every direction, but did liz
tie further damage. II is true that now
and then one OF Their nsissles would reach
our lines and cut down few men, but
such cases were few and far between, and
General Scott continued to take no need
OF THEN firing but went quietly on making
lis preparations for the grand event.
In the meantime the L. S. Ship of the
line, Ohio, arrived, and day or two af.
ter the steam.frigate Mississippi, bearing
the broad pendant Of Cora. NJ. q. Perry,
who relieved Com. Connor, and at once
took command Of the squadron. One Of
his first acts was to have an interview
with Gen. Scott, and to insist that the
Navy should have finger in the great
p,e that wss about 10 be bakt i, and he
succeeded in obtaining leave to dismount
two pondrous sixty eight Founders from
each Of Tue sbips, and conveyed them 10
sand bag forlsess, which tho engineers bad
constructed for that purpose, and des-
patched detail Of officers and men from
each shipzto fight with their own guns
These, it was arranged, should be re.
lieyed at regular intervals by Others so
that all the otlsceFs and crews of the
Sqpaason might participate in the con-
test.
This was an excellent project, and one
which was well calculated to afford justice
to the brave men who had been battling
with privation and suffering Of every kind
upon an enemy's coast during the whole
continuance of the war.
Lieut.. Oliver Hazard Perry, son of
the immortal Hero Of Lake Erie, and an
officer who had inherited many Of his H.
lustrious fathers virtues, was selected as
the officer who was to assist in opasing
the ball and taking with him about TWEEN,
ty-fve men, he repaired on shore to awnit
the moment when his services should be
required.
On the morning Of the 22d Of March,
Gen. Scott having completed all bis pre-
liminaries, sent flag oftruce ipto the city
with demand for its immediate surren-
der, and with the alternative that if his
demand was not complied with. an. attack