Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/461

Rh The fortifications of Vera Cruz at this time consisted of a system of bastions and redans encircling the town on the land side, commencing at Fort Concepcion, situated on the shore at the most northern point, and terminating with Fort Santiago, at the southeastern extremity of the town. The forts were both of considerable strength, but the intermediate bastions, seven in number, were small and provided with curtains of thin masonry only proof against musketry. Owing to the shifting nature of the sand which surrounds the town, no protecting ditches are practicable, as they are quickly filled up during the heavy northers that so frequently prevail. At the end of 1846 there were in the city, according to the report of the minister of war, 144 pieces of artillery of different calibres, of which 89 only were mounted, and in San Juan de Ulúa 135 out of 147 were mounted. Many of the former and most of the latter were heavy guns. The numerical force of the garrisons in the town and castle was 4,390 of which 3,360 constituted that of the former, a number insufficient even to man effectively the fortifications. Thus it was that Scott was enabled to land his troops in full force without a shot being fired at him within range. In vain appeals were made to the government as the enemy's intentions became more certain and the danger daily more threatening. During the siege no exterior aid was rendered to the beleaguered city except by trivial diversions made by a few troops of cavalry and