Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-05-31
The Cuba E,pea,t,on-rotal Failure.

Cardenas and OF Its total failure ana
Most of the men of the expedition are at Key West
Gen LOPEZ and several of his officers are in Charles
ton and Savannah. The account OF the affair we
take from the extra of the Charleston Mercury. The
Mercury says that " the following has been handed
to them for publication by officer of rank in the
invading army
On the 18th May, when near the Island OF Muhe-.
res off the coast Of Yucatan, the three divisions of
the expedition, numbering in all six hundred and
nine men, were concentrated on the steamship Gre
ole
They consisted of regiment from Kentucky, re-
giment from louisiana battalion from Mississippi
and one independent company from the same State
The two schooners which had belonged to the x
petition sent towards New Orleans, and the
steam ship started direct for the town of Cardenas
on the Northern coast of Cuba.
The commander of the expedition, Gen. NARCISo
orEz believed thai that city could be surprised and
taken in few minutes, the morning cars seized and
taken, and the whole of our army landed in Matan-
zas the same evening by the railroad.
The General also thought that little resistance
would be made at Cardenas-that the large number
of emigrants there from the United States would join
the Liberating standard, would the Cuban popu-
latiOn and perhaps the Spanish garrison.
But these expectations of this brave, honest, and
patriotic veteran, entirely disappointed and the
expedition in consequence has utterly failed in
cOmplishing its object.
At two o'clock on the night Of the 18th, the steam
er succeeded in landing within few yards of the
wharf, and after some delay single plank was con-
gle files disembarked.
The sentinel the wharf had early discovered us,
and informed the garrison and city of approach
so that they well prepared to give hostile
reception.
At least an hour was spent in the Decentralization.
By the previous order of the Commanding General
the troops landed as follows: the Kentucky re-
giment first the Louisiana regiment second, and the
Nj lokko
however, within a few minutes Of each other.
Half the Kentucky reg ment were detached under
their Lieutenant Colonel to the right of the town. to
attack any force that might be found there, and to
prevent egress, if possible, from the place But the
latter duty was impracticable
Company (A) of the Mississippi battalion was sent
to capture and hold possession of the railroad cars
engineers employees &c, whom we had learned
would leave for Nlatanzas at o'clock, A. NJ.
After sharp contest this company succeeded in
taking possession of the railroad cars and in captu
ring twice its own number of armed troops and re-
tanning them prisoners.
The action in the city soon became general. The
garrison concentrated under the Governor in the
Citadel In the efforts of to storm this place,
the Colonel of the Kentucky reg iment was shot in
the leg, while CALAMITY fighting at the head of his
men. Soon after the Colonel of the Louisiana troops
was wounded in the shoulder while leading his re-
gment against the same CITADEL and almost smulta-
neously the Adj utant General of the army shot
in the leg.
Soon after the Colonies of these regiments were
wounded the three divisions respectively under their
Major and Lieut. Colonels made combined attack
| upon the Citadel
While this attack was being made, the guard of
| soldiers at the prison at the of the Great
Square of the town. fired into the Mississippi battal
lion from the windows. The Lieutenant Colonel
commanding Immediately ordered two of its compa-
MES B and CO. to about face and fire into the build
ing. The order was obeyed with such promptness
and effect as to compel its immediate abandonment.
Under the orders of the Lieut.. Colonel, they then
battered down the doors and took possession of this
important position.
Having left guard in this building these compa-
MES again Joined in the attack on the Citadel and
materially assisted the Louisiana and Kentucky
troops who still engaged in stormng that place.
wIIh great loss, and with e"rpssocH guaranty
In the meantime, Company CD of the Mississippi
battalion had battered down the doors of the
house opposite the CITADEL and opposite the prison
house. and with their rifles did deadly execution
the Spanish garrison.
! An independent company from Mississippi, having
place assigned them in the battle, connected itself
with the four companies of the rifle battalion from
that State and fought with it until the Lieut. Colo
nel observing General LOPEZ without body guard,
fearessly exposing himself to the fire from the Cita-
DEL detached this Independent company to that duty
They CALAMITY performed it, and had officer kill
ed in joining the General.
About sunrise torch was lighted by Gen. LOPEZ
own hands, against one of the doors of the Citadel,
and soon the building below was in flames. Never
theless the Spanish garrison continued long after
to keep up destructive fire from the fiat and para
peted roof above 1t not until it became manifest
that the building would blow up that the Gov
ernor of the city, officers and garrison down
and surrendered. They fought with gallantry I'M
. surpassed by any troops.
The authorities surrendered the city, the kill
" ed on both sides removed and the wounded ia.
ken Of The troops of the expedition bvouacked
o in the Great Square.
General LOPEZ now busy in organizing those
1rol1y 10
= march towards Matanzas that evening.
r At two o'clock, he ordered two of the remaining
l. three companies of the Mississippi battalion Gone
being at the railroad depot to march to the steam
ship and place all the ammunition and stores of thu
IL expedition on the In an hour the work wa
DONE when orders to place them back again OF
e the steamship. In another hour this also done
IF and the work was just accomplished when the batt
- of the evening begun in the town.
The Lieutenant Colonel of the Kentucky regimen
during the evening had marched his force into tn
town. and they, with the Louisianans, did this Who'll
ar duty
The Lieutenant Colonel and the Major in com
IL mand of the Mississippi battalion at the steamship
against the positive orders of the Generain Chief
formed their and quickly joined their fellow sol
a diers in the city. The enemy had been repulsed
however, with great loss by the time of their arrival
IT, Gen LOPEZ now ordered the whole force to re-em
On bark on board the steamship, and the vessel soo
D. out to sea- At three O'Clock in the morning she ru
i hard aground. The weight of the men and of tn
: ammunition made it clear that she would remain a
l. ground and be captured by the first Spanish mano
D, war who discovered her, unless lightened She ha
no artillery and man. of-war could stand off an
he batter her to pieces.
In this extremity, the Commanding General order
~ ed the ammunition to be thrown overheard. Wit
III ,Hon0 Of ho~~aa &c