Sunbury American And Shamokin Journal

Nine Days Later From Vera Cruz.

Capitulation of the City and Castle--Surrender of the Garrison!

Arrival of the Princeton at Pensacola, with Commodore Connor--Five Generals, Three Hundred and Thirty Officers and Four Thousand Men Prisoners--The American Flag Floating over the City and Castle--American Loss only Sixty-five in Killed and Wounded--Repulse of Gen. La Vega with Six Thousand Mexicans, by Harney's Dragoons--Terrible Slaughter!

We received by special and extraordinary express from the South, on Saturday morning, the important intelligence from Vera Cruz, which is announced below. The main fact, the capitulation of Vera Cruz and the Castle to our army, superseded in all of our regular edition not yet struck off at the hour of its arrival, and the gratifying intelligence was soon spread throughout the whole city. Full particulars, as below, were mean-while put in type and afterwards issued in an Extra. The excitement was as tremendous as the news was gratifying, and General Scott and our gallant troops received unqualified praise for this great and glorious victory. Great because the result of an admirably planned and scientific attack, which shows the true military genius of the Hero of Chippewa, and proves that the laurels are as great to crown his latter years as those which flourished proudly upon his youthful brow--glorious, because this formidable undertaking, the capture of a city considered the most impregnable in the world, was accomplished without any material loss of our own gallant soldiers. It is a triumph for Scott which confirms and vindicates his military character. The whole conduct of the expedition makes it one of the most brilliant achievements in history; it stands unrivalled in the skilfulness of its management and the completeness of its success. Scott and Taylor!--what proud names to adorn the pages of our country's history.

Mobile Advertiser, Extra, 2 Sunday morning, April 4, 10 o'clock.

The eastern mail of this morning brings us the following glorious intelligence from our army at Vera Cruz. We delay not a moment in laying it before our readers.

From the Pensacola Gazette, Saturday, April 3.

The U. S. war steamer Princeton, bearing the broad pennant of Commodore Connor, arrived at this port this morning, and came to anchor off our wharf, at half-past nine o'clock--exchanging salutes with the navy yard as she passed. The Princeton sailed from Vera Cruz on the 29th ult., and brings the glorious intelligence of the reduction of that city with the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa, and their entire unconditional surrender to our arms.

We are indebted to one of the officers of the Princeton for the following summary of the proceedings in this most brilliant achievement--an achievement that will redound more to the glory of our army and marine, among the nations abroad, than any that has yet had place in our military annals.

March 9th.--Disembarkation of troops commenced.

13th--Investment of the city completed.

18th.--Trenches opened, at night.

22d--City summoned to surrender--on refusal, seven mortars opened a fire of bombs.

24th.--Navy battery, three long 32-pounders and three 68-pounders--Paixhan guns--opened a fire in the morning; distance 700 yards.

25th.--Another battery of four 24-pounders and three mortars opened. This day the Navy battery opened a breach in the wall of the city: the fire was very destructive to the town.

26th.--Early in the morning the enemy proposed for a surrender. Commissioners on the American side--Generals Worth and Pillow, and Col. Totten.

29th.--Negotiations completed--City and Castle surrendered--Mexican troops marched out and laid down their arms. The American troops occupied the city and batteries of the town and castle--at noon of that day the American Ensign was hoisted over both, and was saluted by our vessels. The garrison, of about 4,000 men, laying down their arms as prisoners of war, and being sent to their homes on parole. Five Generals, sixty superior officers, and two hundred and seventy company officers being amongst the prisoners.

The total loss of the American army, from the day of landing, (March 9,) is 65 persons killed and wounded.

Officers Killed.--Captain John R. Vinton, 2d Artillery; Captain Alburtis, 3d Infantry; Midshipman T. B. Shubrick, Navy.

Officers Wounded.--Lieut. Col. Dickinson, South Carolina volunteers, severely; Lieut. A. S. Baldwin, Navy, slightly; Lieut. Delozier Davidson, 2d infantry, very slightly; Lieut. Lewis Neill, 2d Dragoons, severely. All the wounded are doing well.

Of the Mexicans, the slaughter is said to have been immense. The commanding General was stationed in the city, while his second in command held the castle. The regular force was about 3,000, and they had about the same number of irregulars. Outside the city was Gen. La Vega, with a force of from 6,000 to 10,000 cavalry.

Col. Harney, with between 200 and 300 U. S. Dragoons, charged on and repulsed this immense force with terrible carnage; scattering them in all directions. They had barricaded a bridge to protect themselves, but our artillery soon knocked away this obstacle, and gave Harney's command a chance at them.

"Let slip the dogs of war, and cry havoc"

In the attack on the town and castle only our smaller vessels, drawing not over nine feet were available. But few shot and shells were thrown into the castle--the attack being mainly upon the town. None of the enemy's missiles struck our vessels; and Midshipman Shubrick who was killed, was serving over a battery on shore.

With the city the hopes of the enemy fell, as they had not provisions in the castle to sustain a protracted siege.

The Princeton is commanded by Capt. Engle: as she sailed from Vera Cruz, Com. Connor's flag was saluted from the castle of San Juan d'Ulloa. The Commodore is a passenger on board, having been relieved by Com. Perry before the commencement of the operations. The Princeton having landed the bearer of despatches for Washington, and Col. Totten, at this place, sails immediately for Philadelphia via Havana.

We have not been able to obtain a list of her officers: and, indeed, owing to the lateness of her arrival, we have been compelled to throw together the foregoing particulars in the utmost possible haste."

[From the N. O. Delta, of Sunday, April 4.]

ANOTHER AMERICAN TRIUMPH.

Vera Cruz and the Castle Taken!!!

Surrender of Vera Cruz and the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa--Minutes and Particulars of each day's Operations, from the Commencement of the Bombardment until the Final Surrender--The American Flag hoisted on the Enemy, with the Surrender of Arms, Ammunition, &c.--The United States Army in the Castle and City--Ceremony of Surrender, &c., &c.

[Correspondence of the Daily Delta.]

From the Fleet.

Harbor of Vera Cruz, March 28, 1847.

Eds. Delta,--From this delectable place I once more have the pleasure of greeting you--and now I can give you something that will probably interest you. Well, we have had a regular Waterloo fight, barring that the killed and wounded have been unprecedentedly small considering the showers of shells, solid, grape and canister shot poured into us by the Vera Cruzanos. But I wish to inform you of the share that we of the Navy have had in this last affair.

You must know that on Monday, the 22d inst., we landed a battery consisting of four Paixhan 68 and two 32--and Captain Lee, of the Engineers, selected for us an admirable site, overlooking the whole city, within seven hundred yards of the walls. A tall growth of chaparral hid the operations of the Engineers, with two hundred workmen, during the construction of our sand-bag fort, but when it was completed, on Wednesday, the 24th inst., our guns were unmasked and the chaparral cleared away so as to bring us a view of the strongholds to be battered down. As soon as the enemy obtained a sight of our nice little arrangement, he opened a tremendous and well directed fire upon it, and then our men returned the favor with unmitigated pleasure, and up to meridian that day the firing was incessant on both sides.

The Navy--As soon as Com. Perry perceived the land forces engaged, he ordered Captain Tatnall, with what is called the "Mosquito Fleet," consisting of the steamers Spitfire and Vixen and five gunboats, viz: Reefer, Bonita, Tampico, Falconer, and Petrel, to attack. Capt. T. inquired at what point he should engage? Com. Perry very emphatically replied, "Wherever you can do the most execution, sir." Accordingly the little fleet took position under a point of land known as the "Lime Kiln," about a mile from the city, where they were protected from a point blank shot of the Castle. As soon as they got their position in line they opened a fire of round shot and shell at a rapid rate, and threw them 'handsomely' into the town and Fort Santiago.

The Castle soon paid its respect to Capt. Tatnall, and the powerful engines of havoc and destruction were now in full blast from every quarter, hurling their dreadful and deadly missiles into each other's ranks in rapid succession, which they kept up until about dark, when the Mexican batteries comparatively ceased and the 'Mosquito Fleet' also held off for the night.

At 8 o'clock the party that were in the trenches were relieved by another detail. The troops who returned from the entrenchments were literally covered with smoke and dust, and so much disfigured that they could not be recognized except by their voices. Shell after shell exploded in their midst, and shot after shot threw barrels of earth from the embankments over their heads as they lay in the trenches.

Their escape seems to have been miraculous, indeed, and every person is surprised that at least one half of their number was not slain.

March 23.--Just as daylight was approaching Capt. Tatnall's Mosquito Fleet weighed anchor and under cover of a moon somewhat clouded, approached within 600 yards of the Castle. As soon as they had got their respective positions they opened a broadside from the Fleet, which was answered by the Castle with great spirit, both by round shot and shell. Capt. T. continued the engagement for about half an hour, although the signal from the Commodore's ship, calling him off, had been hoisted for some time, but, I suppose, was not seen, on account of a cloud of smoke which hung around the shipping. This attack of Capt. T. on the Castle is considered one of the most daring feats that has been attempted since the commencement of hostilities.

Tuesday Morning, March 23--About 200 volunteers and sailors were attached to each piece of ordnance, which was by them conveyed over sand hills and hollows half knee deep in sand, and through a lagoon about 2 feet deep and 75 yards wide, with a soft bottom. They were all placed in position, about three miles from where they landed, during the night. The sailors and the volunteers worked admirably together.

During the early part of last evening, the town was lighted up by a building on fire, which was ignited by the bomb shells. It was impossible to tell what building it was, but it was supposed by the engineers to be the barracks. As soon as the fire was discovered from our mortar battery, I was very much gratified to observe the cessation of our fire--for, notwithstanding we were endeavoring to destroy the town or compel them to surrender it, with their other strongholds and fortifications, still humanity would

stances. War is terrible in its most modified form; but the besieging of a city like Vera Cruz when we know that we are battering down the houses over some fellow creatures' heads, but cannot tell whether we are destroying the soldiers, our real antagonists, or the women and children. And then to witness the burning houses lighting up the church spires and domes of the prominent buildings, with the families moving about on the tops of the houses in the utmost consternation and apparent despair, cannot do otherwise than excite a feeling of commiseration.

March 24--After the fire in town last night, our batteries again opened and continued until morning. During the day the army guns have worked very slow on account of a short supply of ammunition, being prevented from landing any yesterday by the norther.

Early in the day Gen. Patterson let the town hear from him. The entrenchments and guns were entirely undiscovered by the Mexicans, until the 'sailor lads' commenced unmasking. They soon commenced pouring into the city a severe and effective fire, until about 4 o'clock--their position being only 800 yards from the walls of the town, and with such a range to enable them to flank most of the fortifications and works from whence the enemy was firing.

The following is the size and weight of the guns, with their officers, as far as I could learn them:

Potomac--2 32 pounders, 63 cwt. Capt. Aulick and Lieut. Baldwin.

Raritan--1 32-pounder, 63 cwt., Lieut. Ingersoll.

Mississippi--1 8-inch gun, 63 cwt., Lieut. Lee.

Albany--1 8 inch gun, 63 cwt., Lieut. Perry.

St. Mary's--1 8 inch gun, 63 cwt., Lieut. Kennedy.

The navy battery set the town on fire again to-day.

The Mexicans did not fail to return Gen. Patterson's fire with great energy and rapidity, and I am sorry to say with some effect--killing 4 and wounding 6--among the latter was Lieut. Baldwin of the Potomac.

Death of Midshipman Shubrick.--25th--To-day the combatants appear to be more eager on both sides, and the firing more rapid--the army battery mounts 11 ten-inch mortars, four long 24s and four Cohorns. During the morning, the Mexicans concentrated their fire as much as possible upon Gen. Patterson and the Navy, but the return fire through the day silenced 7 of their batteries and the Navy breached the walls in different places.

Midshipman Shubrick and three sailors were killed, and one mortally wounded. Mr. Shubrick's death was announced at Headquarters in the following laconic note, by the commander at the entrenchments: "Mr. Shubrick has been killed at his gun to-night." On inquiry, I learned the further particulars as follows: He was shooting at a gun in one of the bastions in the rear of the city, and was watching the effect of his shot upon that piece of artillery, when a ball from the piece he was shooting at struck him--but the last shot he fired dismounted the piece that killed him--thus, in all probability, both artillerists lost their lives in shooting at one another almost simultaneously.

Col. Harney's Dragoon Fight--Information was received in camp this morning that a body of Mexicans were hanging on our rear, intending to force the lines if possible and make their way into the city with a number of cattle. Col. Harney, with one hundred and twenty dragoons, was ordered out in search of them, and to report his observations. He discovered them, about two thousand in number, entrenched at a bridge, and supported by two pieces of artillery, three miles from Gen. Patterson's head quarters.

Col. Harney started on his return, intending to prepare properly and attack them the next morning. But the gallant old soldier, knowing that delays are dangerous, could not bear the idea of leaving the enemy after having come in sight of them without having a brush. Accordingly he returned to the place, took a position where he could watch their movements and keep his men secure from the enemy's fire. The Mexicans commenced firing at him, and threw a perfect shower of balls all around him, but without injury.

Col. Harney then despatched a messenger to camp for a small reinforcement, and some artillery to break the breast works. He was reinforced from Gen. Patterson's division by Lieut. Judd, with two pieces of artillery, about sixty dragoons, dismounted, and six companies of the 1st and 2d Tennessee Volunteers, under the command of Col. Haskell, accompanied by General Patterson in person, although he did not take the command from Col. Harney. Col. Harney then formed the Tennesseeans on the right, his dragoons on the left, and advanced slowly, to draw the fire of the Mexicans, until Lieut. Judd got his artillery in such a position as he desired.

The movement succeeded admirably: Lieut. Judd got his ground within 150 yards of the Mexicans, and commenced firing--they attempted to return it, but as soon as a slight breach was made in the parapet, Col. Harney ordered a charge, which was answered by a yell from the Dragoons and Tennesseeans. Col. Haskell, Capt. Cheatham and Capt. Foster were the first men to leap over the breastwork, and as a naval officer remarked, who witnessed the whole affair, the balance went over so much like a "thousand of brick" that there was no telling who was first or last. As might have been expected, the Mexicans were unable to stand a charge from "the boys who stood the fire of the Black Fort at Monterey."

A few of the incumbrances were soon thrown out of the way, and Col. Harney, with his dragoons, leaped the breastwork and gave chase. He had not proceeded more than a mile before he found the enemy formed in line to receive him. He immediately deployed, and from the head of the line ordered a charge. When he approached within about 20 yards of the enemy's line they gave him a fire from their side arms, but overshot. Then came the test of strength and skill!--the Dragoon, with sword in hand, met the confiding Lancer, with pointed lance, ready to receive him. The contest was but for a short time.

In many instances lances were twisted from their clenched hands: the Mexicans were unhorsed and driven, helter-skelter, in every direction, and pursued by the dragoons in detachments. Col. Harney and several of his officers met their men in single combat, but none of them received any injury except Lieut. Neill, Adjutant of the Regiment, who was wounded severely in two places from his magnanimity in attempting to capture a Mexican instead of killing him. In following he overtook the retreating Mexican, and placing his sword in front of him commanded him to surrender, whereupon the Mexican drove his lance into his magnanimous adversary. As the Lieutenant wheeled his horse to despatch him, another Mexican charged up and struck him with a lance. However, severely wounded as he was, in two places, he conquered one of his foes, and a corporal came up in time to "settle accounts" with the other.

In this affair Col. Harney had 4 wounded and 1 killed. Lieut. Judd had one killed; and the Tennesseeans had Messrs. Fox, Long, Woodly, and one other of Capt. McCown's company, whose name I could not ascertain, wounded. Mr. Young, a Texan Ranger, who was acting as guide, was also wounded slightly. Nineteen Mexicans were found dead, at the bridge behind the breastwork. Col. Harney killed 50 and wounded about the same number. The Mexican force near 2000; Col. Harney's 500.

Col. Haskell, Captains Cheatham, Foster, Spend, Lieut. Judd, and all the officers and men in the command, are spoken of in the very highest terms by Col. Harney for their gallant conduct throughout the whole affair.

March 26--Last night Gov. Morales was strongly importuned by the inhabitants, who are said to be suffering severely, to surrender the town--but he was obstinate and would not surrender the garrisoned works until every man was buried underneath the ruins and not one stone left on top of another. Thereupon a meeting of the National Guard was held, and Gov. Morales was deposed, and Gen. Landero placed in command.

Our batteries worked last night, and up to 9 o'clock this morning, with apparent increased vigor, when a flag of truce was received by Gen. Scott, with a proposition on the part of the Mexicans to treat for a surrender. Accordingly a commission on our part was appointed, consisting of Gens. Worth and Pillow, Col. Totten, and Capt. Aulick, of the Navy, who met the Mexican commission at the Lime Kiln, on the right of our battery, about one mile distant, and they continued in session during the day.

March 27--This morning the Mexicans did not accede to the terms of the commissioners, and orders were given to fire again at 9 o'clock. However, about that hour the enemy solicited another meeting of the commissioners.

March 28--Com. Perry, was preparing to land another battery of 10 guns from the Ohio but the necessity was obviated by the ratification by both parties of the stipulations agreed upon by the Commissioners.

The Mexicans surrendered the city of Vera Cruz and castle of San Juan de Ulloa, and the armament and munitions of war, together with their small arms.

The officers retained their side arms, and the whole surrendered as prisoners of war, and are allowed to retire into the country on their parole. Gen. Scott furnishing them four days' rations.

At 9 o'clock, Gens. Worth and Pillow's brigade formed about 800 yards apart, opposite each other, and the Mexicans marched out, stacked their arms and marched off. Our troops then moved in column into the city at 12 o'clock, planted the star-spangled banner on the walls where but a short time previous had waved that of a vain and conceited foe.

The stars and stripes went up first on Fort Santiago, and then on Fort Conception and then on the Castle and other places. Each flag as it went up received the national salute, which was answered by the squadron--the yards of the vessels were manned and our colors hailed with three cheers.

Com. Perry was present in the Mosquito fleet under Capt. Tatnall at the evacuation and surrender.

The Mexicans variously estimated their loss at from 500 to 1000 killed and wounded, but all agree that the loss among the soldiery is comparatively small, and the destruction among the women and children is very great. Among their killed is Gen. Felix Vallez, an officer of some celebrity. Our loss in the Army and Navy is about 25 killed and about 40 wounded, but many of them slightly. Among our killed are two officers of the army and one of the navy.--Captain Alburtis and Vinton, of the army, and Midshipman Shubrick, of the navy.

Lieut. Col. Dickinson, Lieuts. Neill and Baldwin, I am happy to state, are recovering very fast, and the wounded generally are doing well.

At the time of the surrender, the Mexicans had but two days' ammunition and three days' subsistence, which accounts for their generally withholding their fire during the night.

During the bombardment, our army have thrown the following number and size of shot:--

Army Battery.

3000 ten-inch shells, 90 lbs each,

500 round shot, 25 lbs each,

200 eight-inch howitzer shells, 68 lbs each,

Gen. Patterson's Navy Battery.

1000 Paixhan shot, 63 lbs each,

800 round shot, 32 lbs each,

Mosquito Fleet Capt. Tatnall.

1200 shot and shell, averaging 82 lbs each,

Making in all 6,700 shot and shell, weighing 433,600 lbs.

The destruction in the city is most awful--one half of it is destroyed. Houses are blown to pieces and furniture scattered in every direction--the streets torn up, and the strongest buildings seriously damaged.

Gen. Scott has certainly achieved a great, glorious and almost bloodless victory over an enemy in a position that was considered impregnable. Throughout the whole affair he has preserved the most perfect equilibrium of temper, and the characteristic coolness and courage of a great General and noble soldier, and while, from the necessities of demanding from the enemy his own terms, he has tempered the vigor of the circumstances with humanity--the best evidence of a brave and competent officer.

The Engineer Corps, under Col. Totten, have applied themselves to the discharge of their duties as became them in their position, and endured the privations and exposure to the weather and the fire of the enemy without regard to health or loss of life.

No division or portion of the army has been better conducted than that of the Ordnance throughout the whole of the operations, and no men are entitled to a greater degree of credit than Capt. Huger and Lieut. Huger: their duty has been arduous, and they have labored night and day to discharge it, in fair weather and foul, both at the general depot and in the entrenchments, and I saw these officers up to their knees in water during the prevalence of the heavy norther, to rescue their stores from loss.

Gen. Patterson has acquired for himself a high reputation as a gallant soldier and an able officer. His official duties have necessarily been heavy and laborious; in which he has been well sustained by an efficient staff, consisting of Maj. G. A. McCall, Capt. McClelland, Lt. S. Williams and Lt. Mad.

Gen. Quitman's Brigade is to take up its line of march for Alvarado on the 30th, and Gen. Twiggs will move in column on the National Bridge, 50 miles from Vera Cruz, where it is expected, some resistance will be made.

I learn that Com. Perry has put in a claim for the captured property as a prize to the Navy. The army is not entitled to prize money, and I can see no good reason why the Navy should not receive at least one half of the captured property.

From the Phila. Ledger, 13th inst.

Official Despatches of General Scott.

Giving an Account of the Full Surrender and unconditional Capitulation of the City of Vera Cruz, and the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa.

The Washington Union, of Saturday evening, brings us the Official Despatches from General Scott and Com. Perry, giving their report of the grand achievement of the American Arms, which we laid before our readers by Overland Express, on Saturday morning.

The documents are quite voluminous, and we merely therefore give the most important of them in our Extra.

The following are the despatches and documents giving the actual results.

Head Quarters of The Army.

Camp Washington, before Vera Cruz,

March 23, 1847.)

Sir--Yesterday, seven of our ten-inch mortars being in the battery, and the labors for planting the remainder of our heavy metal being in progress, I addressed, at two o'clock, P. M., a summons to the Governor of Vera Cruz, and within the two hours limited by the bearer of the flag, received the Governor's answer. Copies of the two papers, (marked respectively A and B.) are herewith enclosed.

It will be perceived that the governor, who, it turns out, is the commander of both places, chose, against the plain terms of the summons, to suppose me to have demanded the surrender of the castle and the city--when, in fact, from the non-arrival of our heavy metal--principally mortars--I was in no condition to threaten the former.

On the return of the flag, with that reply, I at once ordered the seven mortars in battery, to open upon the city. In a short time the smaller vessels of Commodore Perry's squadron--two steamers and five schooners--according to previous arrangement with him, approached the city within about a mile and an eighth, whence being partially covered from the castle--an essential condition to their safety--they also opened a brisk fire upon the city. This has been continued, uninterruptedly, by the mortars, and only with a few intermissions, by the vessels, up to nine o'clock this morning when the commodore very properly called them off from a position too daringly assumed.

Our three remaining mortars are now (12 o'clock, M.) in battery, and the whole ten in activity.

To-morrow, early, if the city should continue obstinate, batteries Nos. 4 and 5 will be ready to add their fire: No. 4, consisting of four 24-pounders and two 8 inch Paixhan guns, and No. 5, (naval battery) of three 32-pounders and three 8 inch Paixhans--the guns, officers and sailors landed from the squadron--our friends of the navy being unremitting in their zealous co-operation, in every mode and form.

So far, we know that our fire upon the city has been highly effective--particularly from the batteries of 10 inch mortars, planted at about 800 yards from the city. Including the preparation and defence of the batteries, from the beginning--now many days--and notwithstanding the heavy fire of the enemy, from the city and castle--we have only had four or five men wounded, and one officer and one man killed, in or near the trenches. That officer was Captain John R. Vinton, of the United States 3d artillery, one of the most talented, accomplished, and effective members of the army, and who was highly distinguished in the brilliant operations at Monterey. He fell, last evening, in the trenches, where he was on duty as field and commanding officer, universally regretted. I have just attended his honored remains to a soldier's grave--in full view of the enemy and within reach of his guns.

Thirteen of the long needed mortars--leaving 27, besides heavy guns, behind--have arrived, and two of them landed. A heavy norther then set in (at meridian) that stopped that operation, and also the landing of shells. Hence the fire of our mortar batteries has been slackened since 2 o'clock, to-day, and cannot be reinvigorated until we shall again have a smooth sea.

In the mean time I shall leave this report open for journalizing events that may occur up to the departure of the steamship of war, the Princeton, with Com. Conner, who, I learn, expects to leave the anchorage off Sacrificios, for the United States, the 25th inst.

March 24.--The storm having subsided in the night, we commenced this forenoon, as soon as the sea became a little smooth, to land shot, shells and mortars. The naval battery No. 5 was opened with great activity, under Capt. Aulick, the second in rank of the squadron, at about 10 A. M. His fire was continued to 2 o'clock P. M., a little before he was relieved by Captain Mayo, who landed with a fresh supply of ammunition, Capt. A. having exhausted the supply he had brought with him. He lost four sailors killed, and had one officer, Lieut. Baldwin slightly hurt.

The mortar batteries, Nos. 1, 2, and 3, have fired but languidly during the day for want of shells, which are now going out from the beach. The two reports of Col. Bankhead, chief of artillery, both of this date, copies of which I enclose, give the incidents of those three batteries.

Battery No. 4, which will mount four 24-pounders and two 8-inch Paixhan guns, has been much delayed in the hands of the indefatigable engineers by the Norther that filled up the work with sand nearly as fast as it could be opened by the half-blinded laborers. It will, however, doubtless be in full activity early to-morrow morning.

March 25--The Princeton being about to start for Philadelphia, I have but a moment to continue this report.

All the batteries, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, are in awful activity this morning. The effect is no doubt, very great, and I think the city cannot hold out beyond to-day. To-morrow morning, many of the new mortars will be in a position to add their fire, when, or after the delay of some twelve hours, if no proposition to surrender should be received, I shall organize parties for carrying the city by assault. So far the defence has been spirited and obstinate.

I enclose a copy of a memorial received last night, signed by the Consuls of Great Britain, France, Spain and Prussia, within Vera Cruz, asking me to grant a truce, to enable the neutrals, together with Mexican women and children, to withdraw from the scene of havoc about them.

I shall reply the moment that an opportunity may be taken, to say--

1. That a truce can only be granted on the application of Governor Morales, with a view to surrender; 2. That in sending safeguards to the different consuls, beginning as far back as the 18th inst., I distinctly admonished them--particularly the French and Spanish consuls--and, of course, through the two, the other consuls--of the dangers that have followed; 3. That although, at that date, I had already refused to allow any person whatsoever to pass the line of investment either way, yet the blockade has been left open to the consuls and other neutrals to pass out to their respective ships of war up to the 22d instant, and 4th. I shall enclose to the memorialists a copy of my summons to the governor, to show that I had fully considered the impending hardships and distresses of the place, including those of women and children, before one gun had been fired in that direction. The intercourse between the neutral ships of war and the city was stopped at the last mentioned date by Commodore Perry, with my concurrence, which I placed on the ground that the intercourse could not fail to give to the enemy moral aid and comfort.

It will be seen from the memorial, that our batteries have already had a terrible effect on the city. (also known through other sources.) and hence the inference that a surrender must soon be interposed.

In haste,

I have the honor to remain, sir, with respect,

your most obedient servant,

WINFIELD SCOTT.

Hon. Win. L. Marcy, Secretary of War.

The following were the terms of capitulation finally agreed on:

1. The whole garrison, or garrisons to be surrendered to the arms of the United States, as prisoners of war, the 29th inst., at 10 o'clock, A. M.; the garrisons to be permitted to march out with all the honors of war, and to lay down their arms to such officers as may be appointed by the general-in-chief of the United States armies, and at a point to be agreed upon by the commissioners.

2. Mexican officers shall preserve their arms and private effects, including horses and horse furniture, and to be allowed regular and irregular officers, as also the rank and file, five days to retire to their respective homes, on parole, as hereinafter prescribed.

3. Coincident with the surrender, as stipulated in article one, the Mexican flags of the various forts and stations shall be struck, saluted by their own batteries; and immediately thereafter, forts Santiago and Conception and the castle of San Juan de Ulloa, occupied by the forces of the U. States.

4. The rank and file of the regular portion of the prisoners to be disposed of, after surrender and parole, as their general in chief may desire, and the irregular permitted to return to their homes. The officers, in respect to all arms and descriptions of force, giving the usual parole, that the said rank and file, as well as themselves, shall not serve again until duly exchanged.

5. All the material of war, and all public property of every description found in the city, the castle of San Juan de Ulloa and their dependencies, to belong to the United States; but the armament of the same (not injured or destroyed in the further prosecution of the actual war) may be considered as liable to be restored to Mexico by a definitive treaty of peace.

6. The sick and wounded Mexicans to be allowed to remain in the city, with such medical officers of the army as may be necessary to their care and treatment.

7. Absolute protection is solemnly guaranteed to persons in the city, and property, and it is clearly understood that no private building or property is to be taken or used by the forces of the United States without previous arrangement with the owners, and for a fair equivalent.

8. Absolute freedom of religious worship and ceremonies is solemnly guaranteed.