Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-06-11
Iysfi ihs Et O. Delta of .Esas ID,
FACTS AND OBSER VATIONS OF THE CT
BA EXPEDITION.

per- From him we learned several facts which have
appeared in any of the published details of the Ex-
petition.
The troops rendezvoused at the island Of Mugeres,
and were kindly received by the native Indians Of Yu
catan, who in quite large numbers inhabt this island
Ourinormant describes these Indians as an intelligent
sagacious, kindly hosptable race who pursue various
branches of industry-such as fishing, turtle hunting
basket making, &c. They are extremely clearly in
their mode OF e and moral and sober in their habits.
The expedition remained here two three days. the
vessels being moored in an excellent harbor The men
were well supplied with good water and abundance
OF turtle, fish, and other wholesome food. Their
clothes, too, were washed by the natives.
Just before the troops ordered to 90 aboard of
the Creole General Lopez ordered the commanders to
notify their that the return of the Georgiana and
Susan Loud woLd afford those who desired to 90
home an opportunity OF dong So All therefore, who
felt so inclined, should now make it known, he
wished only brave and determined men follow him in
enterprise which would require all their courage and
fortude. Eight or ten accepted the offer. 1t was
impossible to prevent the from expressing, in
rather emphatic manner their disgust for these pal
troons. The deserters placed aboard of the
Georgiana and Susan Loud, and sent homeward-
They captured by the Pzarro, and are in the
prisons Of Havana, if they have not been executed
Should the latter fate be their unfortunate lo it will be
striking example Of the retribution which, sooner
later is to fall upon the traitor and deserter The
men who CALAMITY embraced all the perls of the enter
prze and faithfully kept their pledges have escaped the
clutches of the Spaniards, while those who skuked
have been made prisoners, and perhaps victims.
the details, substantially correct, which have already
been published. We informed, however, that the
inhabitants and foreigners, they ascertaned
the object of the Expedition and the character of the
men engaged'in it, began to indicate favorable and
friendly disposition They had been led believe that
the Expedition was composed OF reckless men, of pi-
rates and maauders, and when they discovered their
true character, they evnced kindness and confidence
The Creoles gathered in knots around General Lopez
and seemed to regard him with the greatest cordially
and confidence. He ming ed with the people without
body guard and was everywhere received with
pect His men were surprised and concerned at his APP
parent ckessness. As evidence Of the kindly dis
position of the people, the fact is stated that General
Lopez several times rode out OF the city alone along
secluded road to the railroad depot, where Colonel
Pickett stationed Our informant States that there
could be doubt OF the favorable ncnations of the
people to the Expedition, and Of their great confidence
in General Lopez. The sturdy resistance offered the
first landing OF the Expedition, be ascribed the
ignorance OF the soldiers OF the character and object of
the troops. They thought they really pirates but
when light dawned, and their eyes were sauted with
the cry of Lopez and Liberty the soldiers began to
come over to the Expedition and in short time neary
all who were in the city had joined him. They began
off the Spanish uniform, but the General ordered
them to desist. The attack Of the afternoon was, no
doubt planned, and got up, by old Spaniards who
resided in the town, and of the soldery, who
had heard Of the approach OF a large force from Matan
zas, and thought they would seize the occasion of dis
playing their loyalty at little risk, as the Expedition
already the return to the steamer In this
piration they destined to cruel disappointment
the troops opened upon them most destructive fire,
which nearly annihated the whole body The lancers,
led by man who had during the day affected much
kindness for the Expedition made furious charge, and
broke through COMPANY but were received by Cap
tain Aliens fine Kentucky company, with volley
which empted every saddle but one, and that the
leader, who rode fine black horse. He recognized
by the Kenuckians, and became the target for hun
dred of the best marksmen that could be found in this
country He fell, ridded by more than fifty bullets,
Our informant speaks in the most exalted terms, in
Vhl he 10 10 a
command, of the SKILL sagacy high honor and sound
judgment, we'll of the cool daring and heroism ct
General Lopez. All his measures were characterized
by forethought, prudence and tact. The natural jeal
ousy of American troops serving under foreign Of
hcer, who does not even speak their language, was
allayed, and the most unbounded confidence dis
played by the officers aud men, in Their leader 1t was
not only in the stirring scenes OF the battle, in the
confusion ofa night attack, that the General evinced
the qualities ofthe true soldier and patriot. But in the
subsequent events in governing and restraining his men,
in inspiring them with his ideas OF perfect
pect and kindness to the people, in forcing honor and
protecting private property, the gallant General showed
himself worthy TO lead an expedition which contem-
plated the emancipation of people: long ensaved and
ses to the soldiers OF the Expedition and afforded them
every luxury and comfort They faithfully obeyed the
order otthe General however, TO pay for everything
they got from the stores shops. Those persons
who desired it, were supplied with guards to defend
their property. One citizen, who kept shop which
contained very large amount OF valuable Iewelry,
was RuaTueu by company uuueI ColIlIduu vi our
young friend Captain Hunton, of the Louisiana regi-
ment. The frightened ieweler offered the Captain
one-haf of his property to secure the rest The Cap
tain declined the kind offer, stating that his property
would be protected without the cost OF cent, and
faithfully kept his promise,
The cause of the decentralization has already been
stated the approach TO the railroad having been
cuped by large force, it deemed mprudent to adj
upon Matanzas in that direction. This occur
renee does not, as some persons not acquainted with
the facts Pretend show the effectiveness OF the orgi-
nal plan of the attack The capture OF the Susan
Loud and Georgana put the Captain General in pos
session of the point OF debarkaon in time to hurry for
ward a large body OF troops towards Cardenas. But
for this unfortunate occurrence there doubt in
the minds OF the officers, that the Expedition would
have taken Matanzas by surprise, defeated the 800
troops there, and secured the cooperation OF a large
body Of the people The Expedition having re-em-
barked accompanied by thirty forty of the soldiers
who had joined Gen Lopez, Mantua agreed upon
as the next point OF operations Here Gen. Lopez cal
culated upon the assistance OF large number OF friends
who resided in the vicinity. The officers and men
all eager for second effort, when unfortunately the
Creole run aground, and they had to tighten her by
throwing over arms, supplies and ammunition. This
event cast damper over the spirits ct the men, They
began to discuss the chances of defeat, and the
quences 1t was al last communicated to Gen. Lopez
that the wished TO put into Key West for supplies
and renforcements. The General expressed the deep
est chagrn and modification at such suggestion, de-
cared that he would die before he would give the order
to return. The manifested the greatest respect for
the General, but determined in their purpose, and
assumed the control OF the steamer Gen Lopez then
requested to be put ashore any where on the sand with
such of his friends as would follow him. This was de-
clined, both on account of the General, for whom the
men felt warm regard, and also account of the
danger Of capture by the Spanish cruisers.
The Creole took aboard at Cardenas, Gov. Cerruti,
with two Spanish officers. These persons held frequent
conversations with General Lopez and the Creoes in
his staff: Gov. Ceru in these conversations, declared
that he had doubt the people of Cuba regarded the
enterprise with favor, and wished it success. These
persons put aboard fishing smack, and sent back
TO Cardenas under the most solemn promises to treat
kindly the men who were left behind, amounting to four
or five, who had either deserted, preferred the chan
ces of remaining Cardenas, to the danger Of capture
on the seas.
In relation to the loss of the Expedition we hap
DIV to lea IN that it was great first reported
Six or eight were killed. and twelve or fifteen wound
ed. One ofthe first persons killed, was the Rev Mr..
Mccain, an Episcopalan Cergymen, from Kentucky
who buckled on his armour, and was the foremost in
the charge. Captain Logan, as noble and gallant
man as ever drew sword in noble cause, in whose
40 ofK rvs hast hpnd hadIv