The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-10-15

elements necessary to success with a small
force. Ellis was senior captain in Col.
command, and, while defend
ing the entrance to the town during the
last battle, was wounded in the left hand
by a musket ball, which passed though ~
from one side to the other, severtng the
cords of the fingers, but without iljuring
the bone. lie continued in command,
however. until again wounded in The groin
by a ball which struck his own musket,
ard, glancing, lost its force before enter
ing his body. Himself and a party Of
friends after the dispersion of Lopez, took
refuge in a peasants hut, which was sur
rounded soon after by the Spanish troops.
who took them prisoners, bound them, and
set them in a row TO be shot. The COM
handing officer, after a brief deliberation,
altered his mind, concluding to postpone
the execution until he could communicate
with his superiors. Thus was the lapPa-
rent doom Of the prisoners averted at The
last moment; and upon reaching the main
body Of his troops, to their great joy. they
found the order just issued by the captain
general, directing that no more prisoners
should be shot, but that all taken should be
sent in to Havana. Thus again were they
reprieved. Their capture an hour earlier
would have sealed their fate inevitably
In consequence Of his wounds, Capt. 81
lis was sent to the hospital, and, no being
reported convalesceht prior to the sailing
Of the first detachment Of prisoners trans
ported to Spain, escaped transportation
with them. Thus time was given his
friends to intercede for his pardon-with
what success his presence among us is
the best Indication. He has quite recov-
cred from his wounds, with the exception
that he has lost the use Of the fingers OF
his left hand. lie desires especially to ex-
press his obligations to Lieut., R. J.. II.
Handy, United States revenue cutter For
ward, to whose efforts mainly he ascribes
his Liberation. To Mr.. Sidney Smith,
secretary Of the British consul. also, is ne,
in common with all his companions in
misfortune, deeply indebted for his sym
pathy and unremitting efforts to alleviate
their distress and secure their comfort.
Mr.. j. S. Thrasher was also unce asing
in his attentions, as will be seen by a let
ter from the prisoners. published in anolh.
err column, addressed 10 him and Mr..
/ Smith. ~.
All the prisoners not already transport
ed, with the exception Of those liberated or
remaining in the hospital, were sent 10
Spain in the Spanish merchant brig RiPa,
which sailed on the first instant, under
convoy of the steamer Pizarro, which will
accompany her until beyond the reach OF
danger from resching parties, which the
authorities suspect have been sent outirom
the States. We. publish elsewhere the
names otthe prisoners on board the Ripa,
as also of those yet in the hospital. ''
Mrs. Patterson, Of New Orleans, who
went to Havana to intercede in person for
the lie and liberty of her son. Chas. A.
Downer. arrived too late to see him. as he
had already departed for Cadiz. We are
glad to hear. however, that she was so far
successful as to secure from Concha his
full pardon The documents has been
sent TO Spain, and will probably reach
there in time to give him a joyful greeting
upon landing. n org .i
The captain.general states that if the
Spanish residents at New Orleans are in
Identified Tor the losses sustained at the
hands of the mob, there will be no obsta-
Gle to the immediate release of all the
prisoners upon a proper application to the
court Of Madrid. So satisfied is Concha
upon this point, that he authorized Cap
tain Ellis to make the above statement to
the United States authorities at Washing
ton. OF course the indemilication for the
destruction by mobs must be made under
the statute OF Louisiana. The friends OF
the prisoners may therefore feel quite easy
with respect to their fate. At the same
time it will be well to second with vigor the
efforts being made for their liberation.
We learn, also. that, the day before the
sailing of the Ripa. thirty-five native ''pa-
%trio,s" were brought into Havana from the
interior, and were also shipped for Spain.