The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-07-06
Report of :. O'EEara, Col. Commanding
Kentucky Regiment.
New ORLEANS, june IS, L


under my command in the late effort 10 aid
the people of Cuba in their meditated strug-
ole Tor independence. | embarked from this
CITY on the night of the 25th of April, in the
ship Georgiana with some 230 friends who
had accompanied me from Kentucky and
sailed for the island of Mugeres, on the coast
of Yucatan, where | was directed by Gen.
Lopez to organize my party into the skele-
ton OF military regiment arm them, and
employ the interval n drilling on shore, III til
his arrival there with other similar parties,
who were to rendezvous at that same point
aud to be formed into like military organ
ization-the whole 10 constitute an EXpedi-
ton, destined to proceed to Cuba, and unite
with the CreoIes of the Island in a revolt
against the Spanish Government, then. from
all accounts imminenty impending Owing
to the unfavorable winds and currents, and
the bad sailing quality of our vessels, we
were ten days in making the island Of Con-
toy, which lies in font Of Cape Catoche, and
twenty miles short of the Island Of Mugeres.
Here, the adverse winds and currents, and
the complete ignorance Of our navigator, re-
speeding this coast, preventing us from pro
ceeding further, ordered the vessel anchored
inslde Of COntoy and disembarked my men
on tina. island for the purpose, whilst waiting
for change Of the wind, to proceed to Mu-
CERES, of refreshing aud exercising my men
on shore, purifying the vessel and reconnot-
ering the neighboring islands, with a view to
ascertain with a certainty the locality Of our
place OF destination. | here addressed my
self to the partial organization Of my regI-
ment, forming six companies and appointing
the officers and leaving it under command oil
Major Hawkins, | set out in boat TO ex-
plore an island about II miles off, which was
supposed to be Mugeres. l learned from
some Indians, whom found on this island,
which they called Ancon. that Mugeres lay
some distance further. | returned to Con
toy, and finding that my men were already
beginning 10 be made sick by the water there.
obtained by sinking barrels in the sandy
resolved TO make another effort TO reach Mu-
CERES though with little hope of success, no
change having, as yet, occurred in the course
OF the wind. During my absence on the re-
cOnnoissance above mentioned, three fishing
sloops had sailed in and anchored near the
Georgiana. Learning upon my return that
they belonged to Havana, boarded them
with a view TO discover if their people posi-
bly, had any SUSPECT N of our real designs,
and if in that event, they might feel an in
terest in Fastening to Havana TO report Us to
the government there. The men on them
seemed TO be slmpleminded, unsuspecting
fishermen. They had just come out from
Havana on their fishing voyage, which usu-
ally detained them from ten 10 sixteen days.
| did not feel sufficient apprehension from
them 10 induce me to detain them forcbly.-
employed a pilot from one Of them to navi-
gate our vessel TO Mugeres. My men re- en-
banked, the. Georgiana again weighed anchor
for Mergures; but after Intellectually buffet
ing the stubborn trade-wnds and currents
outside of Contoy for four days, we were a.
gain compelled to return to our former an
chorage. Our supply was also alarmingl y
diminished, and decided upon the alterna-
tive of despatching a party under command
OF Lieut.. Sayre with the pilot. in Il small boat
TO Mfgeres, for the purpose Of contracting
with the fishermen there for a supply Of wa
ter. and to await the arrival of Gen. Lopez,
with intelligence Of our situation, itperchance
he could not see us in passing.
On the morning OF the 18th, the steamer
Creole arrived at our anchorage, having on
board Gen. Lopez and Staff, Lieut.. Col.
/ Pickett of my regiment, who had remained at
New Orleans, the Louisiana Regiment, and
Mississippi Battalion, and after communica-
ting with Us, proceeded to Mugeres to take in
water. On the 18th, the Creole returned
/ from Mugeres, and Immediately proceeded
to transfer my regiment baggage, arms, &c,
on board of her, which being completed by
]
way TO Cuba. Some ten or twelve men (nOt
Kentuckians) who had come in the vessel
with my party, under the belief that we would
rendezvous at Chagres and whose intention
was to desert US there, and thus piller free
/ passage so far on the way 10 California, was
glad 10 get rid Of by leaving them on the
'Georgana to be taken back 10 New Orleans
On the next day, the boxes of muskets
which had been taken out as CARGO in the
Georgiana intended for the arming of my
men, without the jurisdiction OF the United
States, were opened and the guns issued to
the companies. On the 18th, Gen. Lopez
assembling all The field officers announced his
plan o. operations, the outline of which was
to land at Cardenas by night, surprise the
garrison, seize the railroad depot, and cut of
all communication from the town. After
which the whole force was to be placed il
the cars. and fall in a few hours, on the city
of Matanzas taking that place also by surprise
He gave his orders dsposing our forces for
the accomplishment of these objects. | was
ordered. the moment we reached tie pier il
the harbor of Cardenas, to land first with my
regiment, as quickly as possible, to detach a
force of fifty men, under the direction Of
Lieut.. Col. Pickett. to seize the Railroad
Depot and with the rest OF my command to
move rapidly through the town, and dispose
them on Its rear IN such manner as TO cut of
all communication from the place. The tow1
being fanked on either side by impossible
sWamps, as it was represented, and thus in
vested on the rear, and the railroad in ouI
possession, it would remain for the General
with the remainder of his force, to operate
upon the troops in the town. As soon as The
steamer neared the pier, which was not with
out some delay, landed my men as rapid,
as possible, and formed them on the neares
practicable ground. Lieut.. Col. Pickett
moved off with his detachment directly FOL