The organizer., 1850-06-15

on the steamship Creole.
They consisted of regiment from
Kentucky. a regiment from Louisiana,
a battalion from Mississippi, and one
independent company from the same
State.
The two schooners which had
belonged to the expedition were 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 LoPEz,believed 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 Cardenas
that the large member Of emigrants
there from the United States would
join the Iiberating standard, as would
the Cuban population, and perhaps
the Spanish garrison.
But these expectations Of this brave
honest, and patriotic veteran, were
entirely disappointed, and the exPedi.
ton, in consequence, has utterly failed
in accomplishing its object.
At two o'clock on the night Of the
18th, the steamer succeeded in land
ing within a few yards of the wharf,
and after some delay, single plank
was connected with the shore, over
which the troops by single file were
disembarked.
The sentinel on the wharf had ears
Ily discovered as. and informed the
garrison and city OF our approach, SO
that they were we'll prepared to give
us a hostile reception.
At least AN hour was spent in the
Decentralization. By the previous
order of the Commanding General
the troops were landed as follows
the Kentucky regiment first; the
Louisiana regiment second, and the
Mississippi battalion third. They al
got into action, however, within few
minutes Of each other.
Half the Kentucky regiment were
detached under the Lieutenant Colo
mel TO the right of the town, TO attacl
any force that might he found there
and to prevent egress, if possible, from
the place. But the latter duty wal
limpraclicable.
Company (A) of the Mississippi
battalion WAS sent to capture ant
hold possession of the railroad cars
engineers, employers, &c, whom
we had learned. would leave for Mat
anzas at six o'clock, A. M.
After a sharp contest this ComPan
nv succeeded in taking possession Q
the railroad cars, and in capturing
twice its own number Of armed troop
and retaining them as prison ers.
The action in the city soon becam
general. The garrison was concen
trAted under the Governor in the ciI
adel. In the efforts OF our men {
storm this place, the Colonel of th
Kentucky regiment was shot in the le
while Rallantly fighting at the hea
of his men. Soon after, the ColOn'
of the Louisiana troops was wounde
, in the shoulder, while leading bis rel
iment against the same Citadel. an
) almost simultaneously the AdjutaI
General Of the army was shot in Il
leg.
3 Soon after the CoIonels Of theI
, regiments wero wounded. the thr'
d divisions, respectively under the
= Major and Lieut.. Colonels. made
combined attack upon the Citadel.
n While this attack was being mad
e the guard Of soldiers at the prison
y the corner Of the Great Square Of q
d town, fred into the Mississippi ba
}. TALON from the windows. III
= Lieutenant Colonel commanding ir
II mediaiely ordered two Of its comp
!, nies (B and g 10 about face and d
e into the building. The order W
n obeyed with such Prompness Al
n effect as 70 compel its immedia
!. abandonment. Under the orders
al the Lietenant Colonel they then b
8 tered down The doors and took PS
d session Of this important position.
- Having len a gugrd in this bui
e. ing. thrse companies again joined
tbe attack on the Citadel. and ma
10 riaIly assisted the Louisiana and H
X tucky troops. who were Still engag
in storming that place. with gr'
loss, and with unsurpassed gala
= ". -,
In the meantims company Cd