The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-09-25

The Cuban Affairs
We publish below. and commend to the careful perusal
OF readers several important documents in regard 10
the late Cuban expedition. They consist of the circular
letter OF Mr. Thrasher. resident OF Havana giving in
formation. which regard authentic in relation 10
The condition and disposition OF the prisoners This is
preceded by concise narrative Of the expedition by
one OF It's members, which has been transmitted to us Tor
publication, and which also bears strong marks OF au
thentcity and will be read with deep interest We have
then the official letter OF Consul Owen, written to excuse
bis own conduct, which copy from the Republic OF
yesterday; and finally the proceedings OF public meet
ing at San Augustine, Texas. which have received
with letter requesting their publication will be per-
ceived that the meeting held last month.
For the Union
Narrative of the Cuban Expedition
The following narrative written by one OF the
survivors of the -fated expedition to Cuba under the
x-Spansh General Don Narciso Lopez, and will doubt
less be read with great interest:
The expedition under command OF General Narciso
Lopez amounting to 46s men, landed the night of the
18th OF August at small village about miles to the
west OF Bahia Honda. The following morning General
Lopez and staff, with the Cubans Hungarans, and Col
r. L. Downmans company. started on the march for
" Las Posas distant about nine miles, leaving Col Crit
tendens command in charge OF the baggage, &C. Even
gan to experience foreshadow of those hashps which,
it was destined shortly overwhelm them with
rum lhe men were put In motion. and reached Las
Posas about midday they had not eaten morse during
the previous thirty hours that it with great salts
faction they found that the few troops which had been
stationed at Las Posas had left the place. permitting the
invaders to take quiet possession which they at once
proceeded to do and TO satisfy their hunger AT the
next morning. just as the men cooking their break
FAST their outposs attacked by the advanced guard
OF the royal troops The liberators had scarcely time
rush 10 their and form before the enemy down
upon them The left wing OF the little army under the
command of Captain Johnson, was attacked first Gen.
Lopez with an aid rode up TO the point where Captain
Robert Ellis of Washington, and his Stationed
and said TO him Sir you have this day post Of honor
the right of the regiment, and shall expect you hold
it," The men replied 10 this with cheer unanimous
and loud that appeared to stay for moment the ad
OF the royal troops and General Lopez person
led them to their position, which in front Of the vii
lage to the extreme right Captain Brigham's company
next Captain Cot and Captain Stewards companies in
the centre. The Spanards greatly superior
beers their force consisted of 700 infantry and 100 Ian
GERS, which had been sent from Havana in steamers
The force under Lopez in this battle was something less
than 300, all told brisk fire commenced and kept
up with great warmth both sides The guns several
times became heated that the men were Obliged to
firing until they cooled This battle lasted about
two hours, when both sides ceased by mutual consent
stretched The ground unable rise because
OF the extreme heat and the fatigue they had undergone
The enemy, having received renorcements, after
made another attack and, after many Intellectual endeav
TO drive Lopez from his position, themselves
repulsed with considerable loss. Upon this occasion,
and this only General Lopez just before the last attack
of the royal troops, ordered the to be given each
small glass OF Spirits which they stood much in need of,
and which went long way to enven them and rsani-
mate them for the second charge. Early in the latter
part OF these battles, Captain Ellis received ball which
horribly shattered ms left hand, and another in the
groin, which compelled the poor fellow. although
much against his will, to be carried off the field
General Bragg MORALLY wounded Captains Cot and
Brigham, Leuenants Dunn and Riley, with abou, twenty
privates, rendered ors de combat all put into
the hospital, eventually fell into the hands OF the royal
troops, and butcheed in cold blood The royas,s
seeing hew Intellectual their endeavos had proved to dis
lodge Lopez from his position, gathered most OF their
wounded together and retired, leaving the field 132
dead and is wounded men, eleven thousand rounds OF
cartridges, and many other useful articles Captain Stew
arts company and that OF Captain Ellis, under the
command OF the young but brave Lieutenant Edmund
Mcdonald were sent TO pursue the Spanards, and II pos
sble to endeavor to form junction with Colonel Crtien
den, who expected to be the march from Morrllo
to Las Posas-General Lopez having the previous
ming semi him two wagons assist in bringing forward the
baggage Stewards and McDonalds men had marched
about three miles in this service, when discovering large
bodies OF the enemy, and their being greatly fagued-
having already gone through much fighting during the
morning-Capiain Stewart thought it more prudent 10
return.
The superior force OF the royasts in both engagements
very great and Lopezs victory decided upon
this occasion, only be attributed to his being
such excellent marksmen Some of them fired al none
but officers and that accounts for the great mortality
amongst that class who picked of by the youngest
OF the liberaors But 10 give the royal troops their DUE
they certainly came up 10 the charge like General
Lopezs gallant little army too had suffered severely In
the last charge made By the royass the brave old Col
bowman killed; he received no less than nine
wounds Lieutenant j. b. Labuzan was killed at the
same time Lieutenant Herin and the captain OF the
Cuban company with about % prvaes all fell in this
last engagement General Lopez, however, maintained
his position at Las Posas until midnight of the 18TH when
Captain Kelly arrived with about 30 OF the lis men
left under the command OF Colonel Crenden in charge
OF the baggage at" Morro, and reported the disastrous
intelligence Of the complete dispersion of the coones
command IN vain attempt to join the headquarters al
Las Posas" II appears that Colonel Crenden. alarmed
at not hearing from General Lopez despatched note to
him on the 18th for orders which replied the e
feet tha, the oolone must march Immediately 10 Join
MN al Las Posas, where we have that Lopez himself
was sufficiently occupied in defending his position against
considerable spanish army. Criitenden had scarcely
proceeded three miles his march when he was
by 900 OF The royal troops he succeeded however in
routing them but the Spaniards returned TO the charve
three quarters OF an hour afterwards with two peces ~
artillery, and, afteoa desperate but short ef