General Scott’s views were fully concurred in by Colonel Totten and others of his staff, and orders were issued for digging the trenches and the establishment of batteries.  Very soon all outposts and sentries of the enemy were driven in.  General Scott had warned the foreign consuls in the city of his proposed attack and had furnished them safe conducts out of the city, but they had not taken advantage of it.  The marines of Commodore Conner’s squadron, at his request, were now allowed to join the army, and, under command of Captain Alvin Edson, they were attached to the Third Artillery.

On the morning of the 10th the guns from the castle opened fire, but did very little 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