It having been decided to capture Vera Cruz and to advance from that base upon the capital city of the Mexican Republic, General Scott's army of 12,000 men was landed near the former place on March 9, and on the 12th the investment was completed. Progress was greatly delayed by violent northers, but the trenches were opened on the 18th, the bombardment began on the 22d, and the city and its famous castle surrendered on the 27th.

"Five thousand prisoners surrendered on parole; near 500 pieces of fine artillery taken; the best port of Mexico captured and possessed; and the famed Castle of San Juan, said to be impregnable, and which had been refitted and equipped in the best possible manner, yielded to the superior skill and energy of the Americans."
[Mansfield, op. cit., at 192.]

"The capture of Vera Cruz was an affair, in the main, of the staff and artillery. The engineers located and constructed the batteries with such good judgment and care that there were few casualties; the fixed ammunition used by the artillery was prepared under the direction of ordnance officers with a skill insured by their education and their experiments and labors in the laboratory. The infantry worked upon the trenches and batteries, and, as guards, gave protection and security day and night, while the latter were used, and, in addition, did picket duty in front and rear of the lines."
[Wilcox, Cadmus M. History of the Mexican War.  Church News Publishing Company, 1892.  p 261.]

It should be said, in addition, that Colonel [William S.] Harney, with the dragoons, beat off and dispersed the detachments that attempted annoyance from the outside.

In the entire operation the American loss in killed and wounded was 67. A Mexican historian says that their loss was 400 killed and 200 wounded.

General Scott's report contained many compliments, but we will notice only his remarks upon his fellow-soldier of 1812, whose services the General had especially requested, and who, under his orders, conducted the siege:

"In consideration of the great services of General Totten in the siege that has just terminated most successfully, and the importance of his presence at Washington as the head of the Engineer Bureau, I entrust this dispatch to his personal care, and beg to commend him to the very favorable consideration of the Department."