ttle damage. General Robert Patterson now joined Worth on
his left, and extended the line of investment. Small parties of
Mexicans were in sight in a valley, and a detachment under command of
Colonel Cenovio approached the American camp and opened fire. The only
damage done was the wounding of one soldier. General Gideon J. Pillow,
with a part of his command and a six-pounder, opened fire on a large
stone building occupied by the enemy and known as the magazine. They
were soon driven off, and General Pillow advanced and attacked a small
force in his front, driving them and occupying the magazine.

Colonels William T. Haskell's and Francis M. Wynkoop's regiments of
Tennessee and Pennsylvania volunteers were moved on a small force on
the road to Medelin, which retired, and two companies--one of
artillery under command of Captain John R. Vinton, and one of infantry
under command of Lieutenant A.P. Rogers--seized a point known as the
limekiln, where it was proposed to plant a battery. General Twiggs
moved on the 11th to extend the line of investment, which was now
complete. General Scott then addressed a letter to the commanding
officer of the city as follows:

"HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
CAMP WASHINGTON, BEFORE VERA CRUZ,
"_March, 23, 1847_.

"The undersigned, Major-General Scott, general in chief of the
armies of the United States of America, in addition to the close
blockade of the coast and port of Vera Cruz previously established
by the squadrons under Commodore Conner, of the navy of said
States, having more fully invested the said city with an
overwhelming army, so as to render it impossible that it should
receive from without succor or re-enforcements of any kind, and
having caused to be established batteries competent to the speedy
destruction of said city, he, the undersigned, deems it due to the
courtesies of war in like cases, as well as to the rights of
humanity, to summon his Excellency the governor or commander in
chief of the city of Vera Cruz to surrender the same to the army of
the United States of America, present before the place. The
undersigned, anxious to spare the beautiful city of Vera Cruz from
the imminent hazard of demolition, its gallant defenders from a
useless effusion of blood, and its peaceful inhabitants--women and
children inclusive--from the inevitable