The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-05-30


were sent towards New Orleans, and the steam
ship started dire ., for the town OF Cardeaas,
on the northern coast OF Cuba. The commander
that that city could be surprised and taken in few
minutes the morning cars seized and taken, and
the whole OF our army landed in Matanzas the
same evening BY the railroad. The General also
thought that little resistance would be made at
Cafdenes-that the large number Of emigrants
there from the United States would join the ibe-
rating standard, as would the Cuban population,
pectaons Of this brave, honest. and patriotic
ran, were entirely disappointed, and the expedition
in consequence, has utterly failed in accomplishing
its object AT Two o'clock on the night of the 18th,
the steamer succeeded in landing within q few
yards Of the wharf, and after some delay, single
plank was connected with the shore, over which
the troops by single files were disembarked The
sentinel on the wharf had early discoverd us, and
informed the garrison and the city OF our approach,
80 that they were well prepared to give US hos
tile reception. AT least an hour was spent in the
disc mbaikation. BY. the previous order Of the
commanding GensT the troops were landed as
follows.-the Kentucky regiment first; the Loui-
siana regiment second, and the Mississippi bat
TALON third They all got into action, however,
within a few minutes Of each other. Half the
Kentucky regiment 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 (Al
OF the Mississippi battalion was sent to capture and
hold possession Of the railroad cars, engin-
eers, employees, &c. whom, we had learned,
would leave for Matanzas at six O'Clock, A. nj. AZ
ter u sharp contest, this company succeeded in
taking possession ofthe railroad cars and in captur
ing twice its own number of armed troops, and re-
tanning them as prisoners. The action in the city
soon became general. The garrison was concen-
trated under the Governor in the Citadel. In the
efforts OF our men TO storm this place. the Colonel
Of the Kentucky regiment was shot in the leg, while
gallantly fighting at the head of his men, Soon af-
ter the Colonel Of the Louisiana troops was wound
eu shOulder- Mt
against the same Citadel and glmost simutaneo ous-
ly the Aduant General of the army was shot in
the leg. Soon after the Colonies of these regiments
were wounded, the three divisions, respectively,
under their Major and Lieut. Colonels made a
combined attack upon the Citadel. While this at
tack was being made, the guard Of soldiers at the
fired into the Mississippi battalion from the win
dows. The Lieutenant Colonel commanding, ini-
mediately ordered two its companies (D. and C.)
to about face and fire into the building. The order
was obeyed with such prompness and effect as to
coHpel its immediate abandonment. Under the or
ders of the lieutenat Colonel they then battered
down the doors and took possession OF this import
art position. Having left guard in this building,
these companies again joined in the attack on the
Citadel, and materially assisted the Louisiana and
Kentucky troops, who were still engaged in Storm
ing that place. with great loss, and with unsurpassed
sllsnIy IN The meantime, Fan company CD Of the
the corner house opposite the Citadel, and OPP
posite the prison house, and with their rifles
did deadly execution on the Spanish garrison.
An independent company from Mississippi, having
no place assigned them in the battle, connected it.
self with the feur companies of the rifle battalion
from that State, and fought with until the Lieut.
Colonel, observing General Lopez, without body
guard, fearlessy exposing himself TO the fire from
the Citadel, detached this independent company to
that duty. They gallantly performed il, and had
an officer killed in joining the General. About
sunrise, a torch was lighted by General LopeZ's
own hands, against Of the doors of the CITADEL
end econ the building. below was ~ lam2s'
Nevertheless the Sp"- garrison continued, hong
aissf, 70 Seep -p a destructive fire from the flat
.n' t-rpettcd roof above II was not until II
1 Dtcane manifest that the building would soon
blow ur, that the Governor Of the city, officers and
| garrison, came down and surrendered. They
fought with gsllantry unsurpassed by any troops.
The authorities now surrendered the city, the
killed on both sides removed, and the wounded
taken care Of. The troops Of the expedition
\ bivouacked in the Great Square. General Lopez
was now busy IN organizing those who SCENE d
| likely 10 join them, and in preparing 20 march
towards Matanzas that evening. AT two o'clock
he ordered two OF the remaining three companies
of the Mississippi battalion Zone being al the rail-
| road depo) TO march to the steamship, and place
all the ammunition and stores Of the expedition on
the cars. In an hour the work was done, when
orders came TO place them back again the
steamship. In another hour this also was done,
ard tho work was Just accomplished when
the battle Of the evening begun in the town.
\ The il.ieutensnt Colonel of the Kentucky regi-
ment, during the evening. had marched his force
INTO thc loWn, ana Ihty win the lsousianians, did
this whole duty The Lieutenant Colonel and the
| Major in command Of the Mississippi battalion at
the steamship, against the positive orders ofthe Gen
eral in chief, formed their men and quickly Joined
! their fellow soldiers in the city. The enemy had
been repulsed, however with great loss, by the
time OF their arrival.
Gen. Lopez now ordered the whole force 70 re-
embark on boareFbe steamship, andthe vessel stood
out TO sea. AT three O'Clock in the morning she run
hard aground. The weight OF tie men and OF the
ammunition, made u clear that she would remain
aground, and be captured by the hrst Spanish man
/ ofwar who discovered her, anless liRhtened. She
had no artillery, and man. n.of-war could stand of
and batter her 10 pieces. In this extremity, the
commanding General ordered the ammunition 10 be
thrown overheard. With the exception Of a small
number of boxes, this was done, and the vessel at
daylight afoat. The troops soon inquired 20
what place they were bound. Gen. Lopez informed
thcm that he desired to proceed TO the town OF
Mantua, the North west coast Of the island, and
again attempt the liberation Of Cuba. Many Off
expressed their willingness 10 20 with him, but
nine-lenths of the soldiers positively refused.--
They assigned the wciehty reasons Of the scarcity
Of ammunition, the absence OF artillery, the scant
supply of coal for the vessel, the limited guam
iity Of water, and the tnrdness with which the
Cuhans At Cardenns joined the hbersting stand
ard. They demanded 10 be taken 10 the nearest
United States port, and soon the officers gene
rally conCurtcd With them in reasonable deter
nnstion. Gen. Lopez was forced To yield 10 their
I wishes, and gave up the command of the vessel
! The next day, as we were in sight Of hey West,
4 Florida, Spanish man-oi-war steamer came quar-
tering down upon Us. She had been hunting Us
I from Cardenas. We led her into the port a very
few moments; bot owing 10 the quareniins rcgula-
tions Of The town, could not land The Spaniard
bore down on us and would with her Paixhan guns
have DESTROYED Ne, had not the United Statee Rev
enue Gutter informed her that we had surrendered
ourselves to The authorities at Key West, and that
he (tbe Spaniord) must not interfere with II Is
proper 10 etats that one article Of property
molested by us at Cerdenss; not one woman or
child injured or in.ulicd. The officers and men Of
the expediton peid literally for what they atc and
drank. large jewelry store came into their pos
session during the fight, but a guard Of
soldiers was placed over Il and not an article was
touched The emgrants from the United
States at Carienas were hostile 10 the Gu
bans. One Of them gave our officers a breakfast
in the morning, and In the evening he was Killed,
charging us At the head OF n company Of lancers.
In estimating our loss set II dewn ut from thirty
TO forty killed ard woundcd-that Of the Spaniards
NJ one hundred killed and wounded. The people
Of the United States should remember that at dark,
on the evening Of the 10Th, we had again rsyused
and sileDCed the enemy N tareienas and had nufet