Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/186

180 walk through and all around the Castle of Perote, and thoroughly examined all the departments, and we must confess that this is a modern and strongly fortified castle. We were told that it is the strongest fort in all Mexico, with the exception of the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa, at Vera Cruz.

This "Castle Prison," as it is called by the Mexicans, is more, as already mentioned, for a political rival. A State conspirator, a troublesome prisoner of war and the vilest felon unhung, of every grade of society, from the very highest to the very lowest, from the man of rank to the filthiest vagabond in the country, has, at different times, its representative here in this castle. And could the stones of this gloomy structured castle speak, the dark and cruel deeds and tales of human suffering which they might reveal would make common humanity shrink aghast.

This castle is a grand, but gloomy, pile of the best stonemasonry, situated in a beautiful level valley between two mountains, and about one mile from the town of Perote. Through this town runs the National Road, and the stages, carrying passengers and the mail, stop over-night here.

The Castle of Perote was built in 1768. It was first called the Castle of San Carlos de Perote, but now mostly goes by the name of Castle Perote; it was the central depot between Vera Cruz and Puebla to store valuable property when it was in danger of being seized by thieves and other outlaws hanging around Vera Cruz.

It is built of what is called here volcanic scorix, which has been so hardened by the fusion as to be almost impervious to steel. The walls are over eight feet thick, and about sixty feet in height from the bottom of the great moat to the ramparts.

This moat, which extends entirely around the great structure, with its angular bastions, is some twenty feet in depth by two hundred feet in width; and though ordinarily kept dry (while we are here), it is so connected with subterranean waterworks, that it can be flooded in a few minutes. On the outer side of the moat is a massive stone wall, and beyond this