Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1851-09-25
The Cuban Expedition.
Full and uiiaeMiic Particulars
BY A LIBERATED CAPTIVE.

Il
by A LIBERATED CAPTIVE.
The steamer Winfield Scott arrived at ~.
York few days since, with New-Orleans
dates to the 9th inst. When off Key West
she took on board Philip Van Vechten, who
was lieutenant in the Cuban expedition, and
was released from prison, and pardoned by
the Captain General through the intercession
of Capt Platt, of the U. S. sloop Albany
He was one of the 450 who left New-Orleans
in the steamer Pampero He communicates
to the Herald a history of the fatal Cuba ex-
petition, which he says he does from sense
( of duty TO the friends Of his unfortunate COM
rades and the public.
After relating the preparations in this coun-
try and their sailing and arrival near Bahia
Honda in Cuba, where the steamer ran upon
coral reef, he says the party was landed IN
boats, which were shot at as soon as they
reached the shore. They were deceived in
the place of landing by the variation of the
compass caused by firearms being stacked
too near it.
Lopez Immediately published pronuscia-
mento threatening to give no quarter to any
that would not join them. Having no means
to transport baggage and ammunition, Col.
Crittenden was left to guard them with l3O
men. On arriving at a store and grogshop,
about four miles from Los Posas, the party
were attacked while at breakfast by what
they supposed to be only foraging party of
the enemy which they repulsed. In ten min
utes they were again attacked, when Crltten-
den led charge upon them, and the Span
iards were beaten into the chapparal, from
which they opened a heavy fire upon them.
Upon this Crittenden ordered a second charge,
in which the invaders were compelled to fly,
leaving our baggage and stores. That night
we effected junction with Lopez, who had
been engaged in fight with Gen. Enna.
Van Vechten goes on to relate the battle Of
Lopez with Gen Enna, and the manner in
which he inspired his men in the action,
which was by going about the field and fog
ging them " piM red rGao hide"
Lopez and his party retreated to the noun
taIns, where he repulsed another attack from
a large force, and at the same time ordered
retreat of Is miles in D hours over a noun
tain road. Here they were overtaken by
severe storm, their powder spoiled, and guns
rendered useless. At length they were at
tackled again at breakfast, and Lopez had bare
w time to escape on his horse. That night
they encamped on one of the highest noun
tains in the Island, where their sufierlngs
were extreme. They wandered about, and
were As hours without eating. On the even
ming of the 2lst Aug. they killed horse,
which was divided among 125 men, all that
now remained of the force of Lopez.
Continueing to wander among the cliffs,
from which they were unable to extriCate
themselves, subssting on leaves and roots till
the 2ith of August, they found road run
ming to San Cristoba. Having but 50 mus
kets, about twenty of them servlcable, and
about 40 dry cartridges, they therefore con-
cluded to retreat, and pursuit was commcn-
ced hy the enemy. consisting Of 500 men,
The whole force of Lopez became separated
into small bodies, and dispersed through the
mountains and throwing away their guns
seven only remained with the General.
large number were killed Immediately, and
Mr.. V. determined, with party of eight, TO
leave Lopez, and on the 26th, having had but
one meal in six days. they determined to go
into the plains, as it was better to be killed
outright than to die Of starvation. They were
shortly after surrounded by some 200 armed
countrymen, who bound them and took them
to San Cristobal, where they were informed
of the proclamation sparing all prisoners
taken within four days, except Lopez.
On the Both they were at MarIel, where
they found Lopez in custody, and he was Ia
ken to the frigate Pizarro which conveyed
him to Havana
The remainder were confined in the City
Prison, where their hair was shaved off and
dressed in prison uniform. There were 100 of
them who were treated with kindness, ,and were
sentenced to 10 years labor in Spain. The
Spaniards account for 27l Americans whom
they had killed and wounded, which with
the I60 taken prisoners makes All men ac-
counted for, leaving % whose fate is un-
known.
Lopez was caught with bloodhounds, in the
mountains, on the morning of Friday, the
29th inst. The dogs being some distance in
advance of the men, bit him badly in the left
leg. There were seventeen countrymen in
the party who captured him, each of whom
was publicly presented with $1,000 and a
cross of honor, Immediately after his execu-
ton.
Mr. V. then reviews the causes and results
of the expedition, stating that he was told by
Mr. Sigur of the N. o Delta that the landing
of Lopez would be the signal for general
rising, which would swell their numbers to
10000 men, and that two whole regiments
of Spanish troops would also join them, Mr..
V. asks:
"Was it so! Our first salutation was a
volley of musketry. Instead of finding the
Creoles our friends, we found them our most
bitter enemies, far more so than the troops
keeping the troops constantly informed of our
movements, and hanging on our skirts, put
ting to death, without mercy, all those who
stragled on the march. Of the troops can
not but speak in praise, without single ex-
ceptlon. They treated the prisoners with the
utmost kindness, giving them wine, segars,
broad fOhacco and I