This print depicts the Gate of Mercy at Vera Cruz on March 29, 1847. (This was the principle gate on the southern side of the city.) In the foreground of the view runs a railroad with a rail car (damaged by a cannon shot). A muleteer or "burrero" drives his animals loaded with coal into the city while a two-wheeled "Vera Cruz" cart with three mules exits the city. Beyond this a U.S. wagon enters the city, Mexican citizens sell pulque and fruit at a stand to the left of the entrance while U.S. sentinels stand guard to the right. Within the walls of the city can be seen the dome and tall belfry of a church in the center, and the corner of barracks for troops on the left. The guns of the white fort are on the right. There is an attempt to show much evidence of damage from the mortar shells that devestated the city a few days prior from March 22-27, 1847. [This is a page from the book "The Twelve Months Volunteer, or Journal of a Private in the Tennessee Regiment of Cavalry, in the Campaign in Mexico, 1846-7..." by author and artist George C. Furber, who compiled notes and sketches from first-hand observations on site or from additional sources. Furber's text on pages 566-569]
