I have the honor to remain, Sir, with respect, your most obedient servant,
Winfield Scott.
General Scott to the Secretary of War.
Head-Quarters of the Army,
Vera Cruz, March 29, 1847.
To the Honorable
William L. Marcy,
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.
Sir: The flag of the United States of America floats triumphantly over the walls of the city and castle of San Juan d'Ulloa.
Our troops have garrisoned both since 10 o'clock; it is now noon. Brigadier-General Worth is in command of the two places.
Articles of capitulation were signed and exchanged at a late hour night before last. I enclose a copy of the document.
I have heretofore reported the principal incidents of the siege up to the 25th instant. Nothing of striking interest occurred till early in the morning of the next day, when I received overtures from General Landero, on whom General Morales had devolved the principal command. A terrible storm of wind and sand made it difficult to communicate with the city, and impossible to refer to Commodore Perry. I was obliged to entertain the proposition alone, or to continue the fire upon a place that had shown a disposition to surrender; for the loss of a day, or perhaps several, could not be permitted. The accompanying papers will show the proceedings and results.
Yesterday, after the norther had abated, and the commissioners appointed by me early the morning before had again met those appointed by General Landero, Commodore Perry sent ashore his second in command, Captain Aulick, as a commissioner on the part of the navy. Although not included in my specific arrangement with the Mexican commander, I did not hesitate, with proper courtesy, to desire that Captain Aulick might be duly introduced and allowed to participate in the discussions and acts of the commissioners who had been reciprocally accredited. Hence the preamble to his signature. The original American commissioners were Brevet Brigadier-General Worth, Brigadier-General Pillow, and Colonel Totten. Four more able or judicious officers could not have been desired.