Page:Complete history of the late Mexican war.djvu/74

70 "The exterior polygon, which faces Vera Cruz, extends three hundred yards in length, whilst that which defends the north channel is, at least, two hundred yards long. Besides this, there is a low battery situated in the bastion of Santiago, which doubles the fire on that channel. The southern channel is commanded also by the battery of San Miguel.

"The whole fortress is constructed of Madrepora Astrea, a species of soft coral, which abounds in-the neighboring islands. Its walls are from four to five yards in thickness, their exterior being faced with a harder stone. It is well supplied with water, having seven cisterns within the castle, which altogether contain ninety-three thousand seven hundred and sixty-seven cubic feet of water. Its full equipment of artillery pieces is three hundred and seventy; but it contained only a hundred and seventy seven when attacked by the French in 1838."

A regiment of Louisiana volunteers, under Colonel Russey, were wrecked in February near the island of Lobos. They were met by a large force under General Cos and ordered to surrender. They were without arms, but Colonel Russey delayed his answer until night, presenting at the same time a bold front. He lighted up camp fires, left his baggage, and, by forced marches, reached the American quarters at Tampico.

The two commanding officers, immediately after landing at Lizardo, reconnoitred the city in the steamer Petrita, and thought best to land on the beach due west of the island of Sacrificios. At daybreak on the 9th, about 2,800 troops were transferred, in each frigate, and proportionate numbers in smaller vessels, to Sacrificios. A little after 11 A. M. the squadron moved off majestically. The day was fine, with a gentle breeze from the south east, and a smooth sea. The passage occupied between two and