of his valor, skill, and judicious conduct in the memorable
campaign of 1847.

_Resolved_, That the President of the United States be requested
to cause the foregoing resolutions to be communicated to
Major-General Scott in such terms as he may deem best calculated
to give effect to the objects thereof.

Approved March 9, 1848.

_____

_General Scott to the Secretary of War._

To the Honorable Headquarters of the Army,
William L. MARCY, Camp Washington, before Vera Cruz,
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. March 12, 1847.

Sir: The colors of the United States were triumphantly planted
ashore, in full view of the city and castle, and under the
distant fire of both, in the afternoon of the 9th inst. Brevet
Brigadier-General Worth's brigade of regulars led the descent,
quickly followed by the division of United States volunteers
under Major-General Patterson, and Brigadier-General Twiggs'
reserve brigade of regulars. The three lines successively landed
in sixty-seven surf-boats, each boat conducted by a naval
officer, and rowed by sailors from Commodore Conner's squadron,
whose lighter vessels flanked the boats so as to be ready to
protect the operation by their cross-fire. The whole army reached
the shore in fine style, and without direct opposition (on the
beach), accident or loss, driving the enemy from the ground to be
occupied.

The line of investment, according to General Orders, No. 47, was
partially taken up the same night; but has only been completed
to-day, owing to most extraordinary difficulties: 1. The environs
of the city, outside of the fire of its guns and those of the (p. 306)
castle, are broken into innumerable hills of loose sand, from
20 to 250 feet in height, with almost impassable forests of
chapparal between; and 2. Of all our means, of land
transportation: wagons, carts, pack-saddles, horses and mules,
expected to join us from Tampico and the Brazos, weeks ago, but
fifteen carts and about one hundred draught-horses have yet
arrived. Three hundred pack-mules are greatly needed to relieve
the troops in taking subsistence alone, along the line of
investment of more than five miles, as, at present, our only
depot is south of the city.