The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-03-10

hoInent, aud history has recorded the
fatal consequence Of his folly. But even
then the Mexicans acted witliou, wisdom.
lad Morales been Ms capable rs h. was
brave, he would have sent from the CITY
All the "o"combatants, supplied il amply
WIN PROVISIONS, and fought TO the death.
Even As u WAS, had the city held out l2
days longer 1t would have been relieved
by an army Of 10000 men. The gsrri.
son OF the city might have fought to the
last moment and then escaped to the cas-
lie. Had We taken possession of the city,
we would not have held it under the guns
OF the castle. With this aud An army OF
reiet OF 10000 men against us we would
sun have been defeated. la q few weeks
the yellow fever would have come TO the
help of the Mexicans, and sickness
swallowed whom he sword had spared" :"
am now done with the siege Of Vera
Cruz. have given n faithful accoun. of
the Operations "f our army, and the in
c'dehts "f the siege and t"mb.rdment -
hope have left clear and distinct i'm.
preston OF 1t upon the readers Of this
narrative.
As this chapter is shorter ,han the
usua' length. aud 1t requires another chap.
ter to give the march upon AIvarsdo. |
will close this with few remarks upop
the history, topography, and climate OF
Vera Cruz.
1t is the oldest city in Mexico, Of Span
ish origin. Cudez landed ia a few hun
dren yards o. the point where we landed
opposite the Island Of Sacrifcio,. He
selected the site upon which the city is
built, designing. ii successful TO found
there n n'ar't'ne city. 1t is upon head.
land extendInga little into the gulf. Back
ot The city, hIh shifting ssndhlls extend
for one or two miles. These IRE movea
hle, and the blow OF one nortl.er eutireIy
lispIaces them. Just behind them are
ponds and marshes reekiug with malaria,
aud from April TIL November, the yellow
fever prevails with great fatality. One
hth Of the population die every YEAR
HE frequent n"rthers which continue
from Nov ember till April blow off the
maIarra, aud purity the atmosphere. 1t
has population Of about 5000, most OF
whom are engaged in commerce. The
GUY is very limited ia extent. II is less
than mile in length, and less than a
halt III width. There is little taste or eIe-
r"nce OF architecture either in public or
private buildings. The Custom House is
the most handsome hu:Iding. It is built
"f Massachusetts granite. ard has fine
row "i Crrlnthran co'umes. Vera Cruz
Is the mos, filthy, srkIy, disgusting and
lntoterahle city in The world. The hiphe,
class OF Meyicans are wonderfully cIeahly
and elegant, but tie lower class are the
most filthy aud obscene wreiches that |
ever saw. 1t rs true they wash frequent
~, l'ecause in their climate bathing is
pleasant, but tney are covered with lice
and vermin from head to foot. They do
not smell as strongly MS a negro, but they
are equally As uncleaa. We found he
city inrOI"rahle filthy, and ordorous Ms
cage of unclean birds. ! only wonder
that a'arce can tempt any body to live
III such hell. About five miles South
OF Vera Cruz is Mede'hn city beautiful
place, where the wealthy citizens Of Vera
Cruz reside, and come in and attend 20
business every morning. There is very
tlne railroad exienhing several miles into
the Inferior hevond MedeIin city. The
land IN Vera Cruz is, in spots, ve,y fertile
C''t;on. tobacco, rice, aud tropical fruits
grow luxuriant'y.