South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-04-19
- How We Captured Vera Cruz in 1847
80 w

General
tured the important Mexican city OF
Monterey. after winning in his initial contest
with the Mexican army under Santa Anna at
Palo Alto the Government at Washington de-
termined upon the reduction OF Vera Cruz
with its strong castle of San Juan de Ulua.
In November. 1886 President Polk entrusted
this formidable undertaking to General Win
field Scott then senior officer and Command
erin Chief OF the Army OF the United States.
General SCOTS attack upon Mexico's great
and classical stronghold upon the sea marked
the beginning OF the second stage Of our war
with that country. II meant that the American
army after capturing Vera Cruz was TO hgnt
its way northward TO the Capital City. along
the same route traversed by the Spanish army
inner Cortes three hundred years before and
with the same obiect-to win definite decis-
ion by occupying the capital
Although generally recognized by the peo-
pie Of the United States hazardous under
taking the a popular one. for upon
its issue depended the security OF Texas.
which year before had been admitted to the
Union after Santa Anna. beaten by Sam
Houston, ha@ acknowledged its independence
IN return for his personal safety. Returning
TO Mexico City, Santa Anna repudiated that
agreement and put himself at the head of mil
itary operations designed 10 recover the vast
territory ne had signed away. Consequently
he found himself at war not merely with the
forces OF TexAa but with the United States.
Of which II was one.
Prior 70 tho admission OF Texas TO the I'm
ion. Mexico. including Texas. New Mexico.
California. Yucatan and me present republic
Of Guatemala, was the third largest country ia
the world, coming next after the Russian and
Chinese empires Il was used TO war. having
hardly over enjoyed even a breathing spell OF
peace. The bravery and ferocity of its soldiers
among the most expert horsemen IL the
wortd-were well known Even with the en-
enlargement Of General Taylor's victories at
Palo Alto and Monterey, the prospect OF
reaching the capital from the north. with it's
intervening deserts and mountain ranges, was
exceedingly doubtful. Hence the determine
ton to take Vera Cruz and attack the coun.
trys heart from the south
General Taylor still had his work to do IN
the north, for Santa Anna. returning TO Mex
leo City, and being elected President of the
republic, declared that he could serve his coun-
try best by leading it's army. The result
the battle OF Buena VISTA In February, 1S47.
while General Scott was gathering his forces
and materials for the attack on Vera Cruz.
Vista. but it was not so decisive as had been
the contests at Palo Alto and Monterey. How
ever II virtually ended the northern cam
paign. for the Mexicans now had to prepare
to defend it's strongholds In the south
General Scott could now call upon General
Taylor for all his regular infantry, including
the veteran commands of Twiggs and Worth,
and these troops we're Immediately put in
motion for the general rendezvous of ScOtt's
army. This Lobos Island, on the Mexican
coast about one hundred and twenty miles
north Of Vera Cruz. BY the latter part OF
February. 1s47, the greater part OF both regu
lars and volunteers had reached the rem
dezvous.
On March General Scott, accompanied by
Worth. Patterson, Pillow, all his principal
stan and field officers, and by Commodore
COnnOr, then in command OF the large squad
ron on the station, made thorough recon
naissance OF the coast, finding suitable land
ing point at SACRIFICES, a few miles TO the
south Of the castle of San Juan Ulua. They
were repeatedly fired upon from the fortress
but escaped without loss.
On March the fleet. numbering over one
hundred and fifty vessels. now gathered at
Anton BiEardo. a good and safe anchorage
about twelve miles TO the southwark of Vera
Cruz, began TO move up under SACRIFICES.
where large surf boats. expressly built for the
landing OF troops and heavy guns were TO dis
charge the men and arms and munitions of the
neet within range of the 13-nch mortars OF
the castle
More than twelve thousand soldiers were
suddenly TO be thrown upon hostile coast
within sight aud range of one OF the strongest
fortFesses In the world. Some half dozen OF
foreign men-ofsvar. English as we'll as French
and Spanish. we're lying at the anchorage OF
Sacridcios. their tops crowded with anxious
spectators.
vorth's division of four thousand FIVE hun.
ered regulars were frst 10 land. Taking al.
vantage Of the roll of the SURF. the boats were
sent in hne 70 point within twenty yards Of
dry land. At this instant the entire force
jumping into the water one man. holding
high their muskets ano cartridge boxes dashed
to the shore. and the different regiments
forming with wonderful alacrity were sent
over the nrst ridge o. sandhils at a run. Be
tween four and i've thousand men had gained
3 fOOthoid upon the enemy's soil without even
= single soldier receiving a scratch. BY 10
O'Clock at night General SCOTS entire army
had safely disembaFked On the following day
the heavy guns. ammunition and provisions
we're landed, without hostilities except &C.
casiOuRl sharp mnsketry fire upon American
plckets.
Vera Cruz is q walled city fronting upon
the water. with the strong castle OF San Juan
de Uhia bIih upon q reef half mile distant.