The battle of Vera Cruz

The Fourth US Infantry was among the first to disembark and their encampment, 2 miles from Vera Cruz,
was one of the first camps established.

Nearly two weeks were spent in off loading material, ammunition, cannon, and men from the US fleet; and
in putting up earthworks, placing gun batteries, and establishing a cordon around the city. Although Vera
Cruz was heavily fortified with over 400 cannon and 5,000 troops, there was no attempt on the part of the
Mexican forces to capture or repulse the US landing or in preventing the US entrenchment. On March 22nd,
now in place and ready to start a bombardment of the city, General Scott sent a letter to the Commandant
of the city, demanding its surrender. He also notified foreign consuls of his intent to attack.

General Scott commenced the bombardment of Vera Cruz, at 4 pm on March 22nd, after the Commandant
(Juan Morales) refused to surrender.

Even as additional heavy guns and mortars were brought ashore, the bombardment, joined by cannon aboard
the offshore war ships, began to take its toll on the walls of Vera Cruz. The foreign consuls sent a petition to
General Scott on the 24th, requesting a suspension of hostilities and a request that they and their families be
allowed to leave the city. No suspension was granted however, General Scott reminding the diplomats that
they had been given due notice of his intentions and that they had not availed themselves of leaving, at that
time.

So intense was the bombardment and devastation that foreign consuls got General Morales to agree to a
surrender on the evening of March 25th. Commissioners were appointed on March 26th and terms of the
surrender were agreed upon on March 27th.