New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-03-11
IMPORTANT PROM VERA CRUZ.
inactivity Of the French nvaders-Prob-
able Failure OF the Enpeditiou-Ihe
French Omccrs Disgustcd-EmPioJn cna
Of Negro soIJiers-The French supply
Trains Annoyed by Guerriiins Build
ing Ia Raiiwny-TOwns Occupied by the
French.

French.
Capt Eilis Of the L. S. steamship Melville, from
Vera Cruz 2lsi ult., reports to Tile ". u. Era;
Tho French military forces invading Mexico
are in a state Of entire inacIlon, and wholly un-
able TO assume the offensive, until they receive
large reeniorcements. The prevailing Impression
at Vera Cruz among persons whose opinions are ell
titled to respect is that tie expedition will prove
complete failure, aud the invaders be driven from
Mexican coil unless very large addition, say OF nj,
least 81 UU men, made TO their present effective
streugth. Tue dic Ities OF the position have evil
IDENTIFY vastly surpassed tie expectations OF thoso
planning the details Of this attempt against the Mex
lean Republic, for thus far the means provided have
been ,iDgularly Inadequate TO the magnitude Of the
work undertaken.
Some Of tie French officers express their extreme
disgust at the whole enterprise, and are by no
Glow in the declaration of the wish that they
were we'll out Of the whole affair. The climate has
had an extremely debilitaling elect upon the
physigue and morale OF the army. Any one accns-
toned 10 French troops would have great ditf-
Guilty III Identifying these IN part OF tho army Vi
France n it were not for their uniforms. They APP.
pear dispirited are sadly worn by tho enervsting
influence OF continuous tropical heats; have no ves
tige OF the vigor dash, and abandon chsracierzing
tho French soldier
The forces occupying Vera Cruz are largely com.
posed Of negroes. These are brought principally
IRON Martinique. They usually employed on
guard duty in the city, and wherever there 10 .
necessity Tor continued exposure 10 tho sun. White
soldiers are rarely Oh duty ct Vera Cruz under
the present authorities.
Tie inhabitants Of tho city yield obedience to the
martial law Of the French, aware that resistance
would be wholly Intellectual except to their own n-
jury. The merchants would be glad 10 ses ils re-
moval yielding to it's power reluctantly and without
showing any tendency To forget the csuso OF MEXICO
On the other hand, portion of the Church party
seems more kindly disposed toward tho INVADERS
but among this faction there IL much national iee-
irg and u uch concealed hostility toward France.
The bulk Of tho French army is at and near La
Puebla, something over hundred miles from Vera
Crnz, ON the road TO Mexico. Between this body
and Vera Cruz, their base Of supplies. the country
10 iufested with guerrilla bands Of hexicans. well
armed, and mounted ON the swifs mustangs OF Thai
country. These rapidly moving troops attack ana
capture all trains OF supplies sent inward Tor La
Puebla, unless they are escorted by strong force
These guerrIllas can often be seen from Vera Cruz
itself suddenly advancing and disappearing for Tho
purpose Of remembering, and discovering any prey
that may DO wrested from the French. On the lth
inst. they spread apart the rails on tho railway lead
Ibg toward La Puebla, ut u distance oil come nall
dozen miles from tie ety. ana having IA TINS way
thrown from the track truin Of cars from Vera
Cruz, partially laden with snpplles Tor me army ~
IN Puebla, they plundered IL oi all i.s freight.
One mau stopped TO defend tho property nnd was
shot; the others esespsd unframed. company or
two sf cavalry more than bali back, aud mounted,
some Oh mules and some on horses, were sent out 10
recover Tho goods and attack the guerrillas, but
hing YVES accomplished.
Vust sandy plains lie between Vera Cruz and La
Pueba across which n loaded team cannot pass, the
only available means q transportation being packc
mules Az already stated, lfs inefficient method oil
convey snce can accomplish nathbg' except When
accompanied by strong escO s'o'' '"es0