Vera Cruz was decidedly the most probable objective of the invaders, and, had it been made secure, the venture of the Americans would have been rendered hazardous.  As it was, with Santa Anna’s army far away, the reduction of the fortress presented little difficulty.  An immediate assault would in all likelihood have proved successful.  Scott, however, decided on a regular siege.  His army was small, and a march on the capital was in prospect.  The Government grudged both men and money, and an assault would have cost more lives than could well be spared.  On March 18 the trenches were completed.  Four days later, sufficient heavy ordnance having been landed, the bombardment was begun.

March 27.

On the 27th the town surrendered; the garrison laid down their arms, and 400 cannon, many of large calibre, fell into the hands of the Americans.

The fall of Vera Cruz was brought about by the heavy artillery, aided by the sailors, and the First Regiment was continuously engaged.  The Mexican fire, notwithstanding their array of guns, was comparatively harmless.  The garrison attempted no sortie; and only 64 of the investing force were killed or wounded.  Nevertheless, Jackson’s behaviour under fire attracted notice, and a few months later he was promoted to first lieutenant “for gallant and meritorious conduct at the siege of Vera Cruz."* (* He had been promoted second lieutenant on March 3.  Records of the First Regiment of Artillery.)

Scott had now secured an admirable line of operations; but the projected march upon the city of Mexico was a far more arduous undertaking than the capture of the port.  The ancient capital of Montezuma stands high above the sea.  The famous valley which surrounds it is embosomed in the heart of a vast plateau, and the roads which lead to this lofty region wind by steep gradients over successive ranges of rugged and precipitous mountains.  Between Vera Cruz and the upland lies a level plain, sixty miles broad, and covered with tropical forest.  Had it been possible to follow up the initial victory by a rapid advance, Cerro Gordo, the first, and the most difficult, of the mountain passes, might have been occupied without a blow.  Santa Anna, defeated by Taylor at Buena Vista, but returning hot foot to block Scott’s path, was still distant, and Cerro Gordo was undefended.  But the progress of the Americans was arrested by the difficulties inherent in all maritime expeditions.

An army landing on a hostile coast has to endure a certain period of inactivity.  Under ordinary circumstances, as at Vera Cruz, the process of disembarking men is rapidly accomplished.  The field-guns follow with but little delay, and a certain proportion of cavalry becomes early available.  But the disembarkation of the impedimenta—­the stores, waggons, hospitals, ammunition, and transport animals—­even where ample facilities exist, demands far more time than the disembarkation of the fighting force.