Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/337

Rh the town, and occupied the castle of Perote, next in importance to San Juan de Ulua, and capable of accommodating over 2,000 troops. N o resistance was offered, — the enemy's forces having been previously withdrawn, — and the fortress, with its armament, was surrendered by Colonel Velasquez, who had remained as a commissioner to perform that duty on behalf of his government. Sixty-one bronze guns and mortars, five howitzers, eleven thousand cannon balls, fourteen thousand bombs and hand-grenades, and five hundred muskets, were turned over to the Americans with the castle. General Worth also obtained considerable quantities of corn and flour in Perote and the neighboring haciendas, all which were paid for at fair prices, with the assistance of the alcaldes and padres, who manifested a laudable zeal in aiding him.

The excellent discipline and subordination maintained by General Scott in the army under his command, deserves a passing notice. Strict orders were issued directly after they landed at Vera Cruz, prohibiting the commission of any acts of violence upon the persons or property of non-combatants. No deviation from the regulations which he established was suffered to go unrebuked, — no outrage went unpunished. During the period of temporary inaction after the battle of Cerro Gordo, excesses were occasionally committed, which induced him to issue more positive orders at Jalapa, on the 30th of April, and from that time there were fewer causes of complaint.

A large number of the volunteers attached to his column were enlisted in the months of May and June, 1846: consequently, their terms of service had nearly expired when the army arrived at Jalapa. They were exceedingly anxious to reach the coast, and embark