The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1851-09-24
From the New OrieGns Crescent, Sept. 2i
LETTER FROM COL CRITTENDEN.


LETTER FROM col CRITTENDEN.
The following letter, The last that the gal
liant Crl.euden ever wrote, has been handed
to US for publication. The lews which We
publish TO day shows that he was mistaken ia
his sweeping estimate of Cuban desire for
freedom, as, indeed, hay ng never passed be.
yond the coast, inhabited By Spanish fisher,
men, he had no opportunity OF fairly Judging
In their unarmee condition, The Cubaus would
be very apt to wait till Lopez had gained
victory and position before declaring the IN.
selves. That Lopez did not return TO assist
Crlttenden, now seems 10 be accounted for b.
the almos cerIain fact, that he had quite a
much as he could well do in defending hitn.
self That Lopez is rash, We believe, but il
is folly 10 suppose hat he would have wiiluliy
sacrificed one hundred men--lhe flower Of his
lorce-at the risk OF lncurring American ,n.
dignston, and Of loslpg his own head Col.
oue Crittenden, doubtless, would convey his
idea Of the hasly and rash, not treacherous
and false, character of Lopez. ln this estt.
mate Of him, we ale not disposed to concur
with the bra'e and Iamenled dead.
SIiIP OF AR EsRERANzA, Z
August is. 1851.
Dear Lgcicn-In half an hour |, with ffty
others, am 70 be shot. We we're taken pris.
oners yesterday. We were in small boats.
Con Iapt sarstalad iLe hhlance Of lhe com.
mand from me. had with me abou. one
hundred-was attacked by Two bal,aIons Of
infantry AID one company Of horse. The
odds were too great, and strange TO tell vas
not furnished with single muskel cartridge.
Lopez did no. get any artillery. | have not
the heart 10 write to any Of my family. II
the truth ever comes out you will fud hat
did my duty, and have the perfect confidence
Of every man with me. We had retired from
The field and were going TO sea, and were O.
vertakeR by the Spanish steamer Habanerc,
and captured, Tell Gen. Houston that his
nephew got separated from me on the 18th
day Of the figh,-and that | have not seen
him since. He may have struggled off and
joined Lopez, who advanced rapidly 10 the
interior. My people, however, were entire.
ly surrounded on every side. We saw that
we had been deceived gross y, and were ma
king for the United States when takea. Du.
iIhS my sHoiA suJOuiu III tHts isldAui HdNO
not met single patriot. We landed some
40 or 80 miesto the westward Of this and
am sure that in that part Of the Island Lopez
has no friends, When was attacked Lopez
was only three miles off If he had not been
decelving US, as TO the slate Of things, hs
would have fallen back with his force aad
made fight, instead Of which he marched on
immediately to the interior. | am request
ed to get you to tell Mr.. Green of the Gus.
tom House, that his brother shares my fate.
Victor Kerr is also with me, also Stanford.
| recolleci no others Of your acquaintance al
present. will die like man. My heart
has not failed me yet, mol do believe it will.
Communicate with my family.
This is an incohsrsnt letter, but the cir.
cumstances must excuse it. My hands are
swollen to double their thickness, resulting
from having them toe tightly corded for the
last eighteen hours. Write to John and let
him wIte 70 my mother. am afraid that
the news will break her heart. My heart
beats warmly towards her now.
Farewell NV love to all Of nv friends.
am sorry that | die owing a cent, but it is
inevitabs.
Yours, strong in heart,
w. L. CRITTENDEN. T.
II