The daily crescent., 1850-06-01


her Details Is-Interesting Correspondence.
Our readers will, doubtless, have seen that we
were slow to believe in the failure Of the expedition
under Gen. Lopez to aid in the liberation of Cuba;
but we can, of course, no longer doubt. 1t has
proved an overwhelming failure, but not for want
OF courage, or skill in the gallant leader, or the
Spartan band under his command. The force was,
unfortunately, too small to give encouragement to
that portion of the population of the Island, who
were prepared for revolution and had furnished the
means 10 carry it on. IF Gen. Lopez could have
taken possession of the rail road, according to his
plan, and thus cut accommodation with Matan-
zas, until hes could have rallied his friends in the
neighbsrhood, we have scarcely doubt he would
have succeeded.
The following letter giving most interesting and
graphic description Of the affair, was received yes
terday by a gentleman in this city from his son,
who was actor in the scenes, and has been kind
ly handed US, with permission to make such ex-
tracts from it as, in judgement, would prove in
teresting to our readers. Though written in the
frank and careless style in which a youth of
eighteen would naturally address his father, and
containing some personal illusions which the young
Captain would doubtless have omitted if he had
been writing to any one less interested in his good
conduct, we have thought it would be more
interesting, at the present moment of intense ex-
citement the subject, to give the entire letter.
The young gentleman is well known to US, and his
statements may be fully relied on.
KEY WEST May %, 1850
Dear Father Here am, after nnumerable dangers and
hardships at Key West We landed at Cardenas, in Cuba,
Sunday morning, the 18th ins about hour before
light There were about hundred and fifty in the
garrison. They fought long and well, and had greatly the
advantage of on of their hatroof houses. We
drove them from house house. until they got to that of the
Governor which compelled to fire before they would
surrender but after they surrendered exnguished the
flames. The Governor and his whole staff surrendered about
eight O'Clock in the morning. and had then lost about
| men and the Spaniards twenty OF thirty.
forgot to say, first movement to take the Rail-
road, to the authorities from sending to Matan-
but account of the delay and noise of landing,
we faied and before night reached Gen. Lopez
that 5000 men coming down from Maanzas We
ordered to board, but before half the troops
could reach the boat they were attacked by body OF ancers
1t then about dark little after and could tell
how large the force then the boat with my
company, but Immediately to the found
that had lost their Captain, and had lost my
pany, with their took command of it, and had the
honor of being compmened by my Colonel in presence
the whole battalion. We lost 20 men, first and last and the
enemy about AGO. The soldiers that surrendered in the
ing joined and oughtfo in the last attack. The Span
sh soldiers have proved themselves equal in bravery
men in the world, We finally got board and put
but had not got nine miles from Cardenas before
aground. 1t was well for that dark for Spapisl
man-ofwar into the harbor and passed close
| without seeing If she had would undoubt
edy have been taken and hung Yesterday morning, whel
we were forty miles out from this place. the
hove In sight and chase She gained fast, and
all expected to be blown of the waer but Providence in
erposed, and touched the wharf she past within
twenty yards, but dared not fire for fear of firing int
the town. She had American pilot board to pilot he
over the reefs who ordered her between
the town, they might blow pieces. He told them
were counrymen of his, and he would not do it.
forgot to mention that released the Governor and stat
before ef his promising release all Americans tina
might have been left in the confusion. Our boat has bee
seized by the customhouse officer and will be forfeited to thu
Government The Spanard lying in the harbor quarantine
The most of wish to return home-myself among tht
number but fearful of our Government
Others wish to back with Lopez, and even attack
ing and taking the Spanish man-owar. 1t would be dan
gerous undertaking, but believe could be accomplished
have no money, but my landlord (Nr. Mitchell McCarty
says may stay here long as choose. hardly know
wha. to do twoud be too long to wait for money, and
get a chance shall go home. McCarty had bet
ter stay here until he get passage on some passing
vessel TO New Orleans, and there should be any danger HI
will send the of Florida, among his rea
tons Both he and his good lady have been exceedingly kn
to have escaped far, and yet hope get home.
ball struck the ground between my feet and Jared
lite hnt did no other damage Two of the CoOnes wer
Wounded Wheate and o. ara, of the Louisiana and Ker
lucky battalions, but neither of them dangerously Gen
Gonzales had his leg broken. | imagine why Gen
Lopez killed. He seemed to bear charmed life 70
wherever shots fell hekest there would old Lopez
| fighting and giving orders. He is the brayest eve
saw heard or real Of shall send this by Charleston,
the steamer Isabel, which will leave here this evening. Yo
had better not write to me here, may off in fey
days afraid to go home until the excitement over
for fear should be arrested and handed the SPANS
Government. Imay to of the wrecking YES
sells for five six months If can good opportunity
shall run the risk and go home, even if were compelled
conceal myself for time. do repent my trip the lea
> for have learned than would in twenty years
home. wrote to you from the Isle of Mugeres, on Il
coast of Yucatan, and the letter by Jo Hogg Ire
ton, who found in my company SeargeRt He had b
leg cut, and had oretun from where putin 10 get waite
learn here that the bark taken and carried to Havan,
and letters all read There twenty deerte
who started back the vessel suppose they W
be hung as they deserve have met with a gentleman
the of Dixon who served in Texas and also in Me
leo; and was in Texas when grandfather was killed. f
fought like tiger. He large fine looking man. and po
all those noble traits which command admiration
He he will take of me indeed he has been vel
kind to me ever since left must close. Give m
} love to ALL and look for me when you me- -