, 1862-01-06
THE INVASION OF MEXICO.
Occupation of Vera Cruz by
the Spanish.
SAN JUAN D'ULLOA CAPTURED.


By the arrival Of the steamship Columbia,
from Havana, this morning, VIC are furnished
with our Havana papers to the 28th Of Deccm-
Der. They contain the important news Of the
occupation Of Vera Cruz by the Spanish, which
intelligence was brought to Havana on the
26th, by the steamer Francis of Assist The
DtaTio de Ia Marina, in announcing the event,
says: "The city Of Vera Cruz is In our power,
and the pennon Of Castillo waves over the fort
Of San Juan de Ulloa and the public edifces
Of the town. Thus is taken the first step to-
wards the regeneration Of the degraded {des
g7aciu<{o} Republic Of Mcxico'
The Spanish expedition which left Hayana
On the 5tl!. consisted Of the steamers Isabel Ia
Gatolica, Francisco dc Asis, Pizarro, Blasco
Pajaro del Occeano, Cuba, Cardcnas, Mnisi
the higates Lesdtad, Conception, Blanca,
Petronila, BereDgue1a : Princesa dc Asturlas,
conyo}ing the sailing vessels Santa Maria,
Marigalante, Farorita, Teresa, Sunrise, Palma
J Paquita. ION the evening Of the 7th,n writes
the correspondent Of the Didro de Ia Manla,
who accompanied the expedition, we came in
sight OF Vera Cruz, and with enthusiasm salu-
ted our chief with 4 hymn composed for the
expedition, by Don Juan Benedict.
Haste to the field OF battle,
Lift up the warlike strain,
we goo to tight fof SPAIN
The Mexican dominion,
Broke of, in evil hour,
With mad and impious raslncss,
From Spain maternal power.
And ever since that moment
! Has anarchy borne ET1y,
| Nor ever, on the region,
Has dawncd che happy day.
| Spain sees the sight Of horror,
| And shudd ring as she yiewe,
She caIs her valiant army
To march On Vera Cruz.
Now il the moment soldiers,
! To prove by gallant deeds
| That victory ever follows
| Where CT the Spaniard leads.
| At II o'clock in the morning Of the
| 5th we arrived before Vera Cruz, and
had our attention attracted by an immense
| volume Of smoke which appeared to arise from
the centre Of the city. Some OF us imagined
that the Vera Cruzans, in fury at our arrival,
we're preparing to blow up tile city but the
fire. Scarcely had We cast anchor when the
enthusiastic shouts Of the sailors on the lead
ing vessel, the Granddaughter, notified us that
the principal portion Of the population,
abandoning their houses, had fetired into the
interior that the Castle WAS defended as if
for stern and heroic resistance and that the
! people Of Vera Cruz, wishing to insult our na-
tion, had, contrary to right and reason, burned
aSpapish merchant vessel which they had de-
taiEed some time in their power, and with
which aato sla Je they thought to signalize the
| day Of the Conception. This is i proof Of the
| vile sentiments the Mexicans have always en-
tcrtaincd for their brothers, tile Spaniafds, ,aud
/ is Us much rs one can look for in 4 people
| which pretcnds to live without any regular
| form OF government
the Isabel al Cato1ica, 4 French steamer, FROM
which disembarked several officers, who sought
an interview with Senior Rubalcaba, the CHEF Of
our expedition, but Of the result Of this iutcr-
t view nobody is informed. Everything said
about it is mere conjecture. Some thought
I rnI,Y
sui; others the Admiral of the French squad
ron, while many attributed no official charac
ter to his visit.
II regret cannot send you the characte,
of tic note submitted to the Mexican Govern
lnent by Senor Lopez Ceb4l1os, but will un
doubtcdly BIZ able 10 forward it by the ncxl
| steamer.
"On the seventeenth our troops dscmbark
| I'd amid the widest enthusiasm aud without
accident. The Governor OF the place had
twenty-four hours in which to decide whether
lie would abandon the place. Was informed
that the Governor said he received orders tc
retire as soon US he saw he could not resist
The force WHICH might be brought against hii1l
and 50 he withdrew.
"Tle Gu1daliquiyer was the vessel selected
to convey to our chief the intelligence Of the
surrender. Our flag now osershadows ths
principal square Of Vera Cruz the forts AMI
oil the public buildings; and we now avail
with eager anxiety, the beginning Of opera
| lions. Our little army is impotcnt, whicl
will not surprise u!ose who understand tht
enthusiastic spirit Of the Spanish soldier. Til,
health Of all on the fleet is excellent, and III
all await, with fond anticipation, the signal TO
undertaking tho real campaign, and vel
fight with faith and determination"
From another source the Diaro has the fol
lowing items:
"The Governor Of Vera Cruz was willin;
to cyaeuate the city but demanded and re
ceiyed q respite Of twenty -four hours.
title first men who leaped on shore from
the Spanish ships we're the Captain Of tn
figatc Guadaliquivcr, Don Joaquin Ibanez, ,tw,
aids and several officials and artillery cnsi
neers, and the Brigadicr Don Carlos de Vegas
who had in anticipation been appointed mill
tarT and civil Governor Of tho place.
"Another Captain, accompanied by on
hundred marlne infantry, took possession Q
the fortress Of San juan d. Unoa.
"At halfpast IL O'clock lis Excel1ency
Senior General Don Manuel GassettTdisc,n
barkcd. As he proceeded to tho castle he wa
| enthusiastically saluted By the pcople.''