The southern press., 1851-08-27
Accounts from ths Cuba ns.

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We were last night handed lengthy commu-
nication, signed BY the editors and co-lsborers
Of La Vsrdad," Spanish paper published in
N. York. We have room only for the follow
ing portion of the statement - Herald
THE oUrRAGEs TO THE DEAD BODIES OF THE
MAssAcRED FIFTY. M
A desire has been shown in some quarters to
relieve the Spaniards in Havana from the just
odum and disgust naturally awakened in every
bosom by the revolving PROCLAMATION to which
some Of the dead bodies We're subjected after the
massacre.
The undersigned, therefore, feel called upon
to publish the following extracts OF letters re-
ceiyed by various Cuban gentlemen In New
York, from their friends in Havana. In all cases
these letters proceed from persons of perfectly
reliable characters. One of them ~ is from a
Spaniard himself, writing to his own son, with
acknowledged shame for what he confesses; an
other n is from gentleman Of the most emf
nent repnte in Havana for the best qualities Of
human nature. We might easily multiply SINH
lar proofs We send the originals Of several of
the letters for the inspection Of the editors to
whom we have the honor Of addressing this
communication.
We desire to have it particularly borne in
mind, that the authors of these barbarities were
the Spanish rabble of Havana, and would pledge
our lives that no Cuban beheld the scene with
other emotions than horror. They constituted
the class to whom it was day Of bloody Joy
and exultation No person familiar with the
history of the Spanish civil wars among them
selves, will receive with any surprise this speci-
men of the ferocous instincts of the Spanish
character, one of the symptoms of which is to
be seen in their BLOODY bull-6ghts, and fights of
wild beasts. Hundreds of far more horrid at
rocities are well known to have occurred in
their massacres of prisoners, and treatment of
their remains. Even cannibalism is not unknown
on such occasions to the experience of some of
the Spanish provinces
The letters are all Of the date Of the evening
of 10th or the 18th nst
LETTER I.
The city Of Havana has witnessed to-day, the
most shocking spectacle which could have been
presented to the eyes of a civilized world, and
which even the Caffres would have beheld with
horror. The pen shrinks from describing it.
The Roman people, when they used to delight
in cruel entertainments, remained far behind the
Spaniards here yesterday. After the cowardly
murder of fifty-two men, officers and soldiers,
they gave up a certain number of them to an un
bridled rabbe, who, like yultures, divided the
inanimate remains of these unfortunate enthu-
siasts of liberty, who fell, we know not how, into
the power of the forces of the government. We
do not know how it occurred, because there are
so many different statements that we do not
know what to believe. In their savage excite
ment, when they were returning from the execu.
ton, with the members of these unfortunate men,
the most horrid exclamations were heard from
them, and /, myself, heard one who was to dine
on the brains of n Yankee. In the confectionery
establishment of the Dominica, saw another
exhibiting portions of the body of another. /
revolt from continuing these accounts; and, to
conclude, will tell you that the noise and the
cries presented fsithful reminder of bull.
fighting arena on day of performance.
LETTER II.
While rejoice in this success Of our arms,-
this is from Spaniard, and refers to the cap.
ture of the fifty men in the launchesl- II cannot
but lament and blush for the excesses which
have been committed by the rabble upon the
corpses Of those unfortunate men, who, per-
haps, have been deceived by our enemies TO
come here. have seen pieces Of the bodies of
these men, and parts of their clothes and their
shoes, in the hands of some of my countrymen,
and have been told that in front of the palace of
the general here is situated the Dominica es-
tablishment] they have been showing and tri.
umphing over piece Of skull.
LETTER III.
send herewith the enclosed despatch, giving
an account of the late occurrences here. will
add i'm conclusion, that the fifty prisoners have
been shot, and that their remains were profaned
by the mob, who tramped on them, and after
wards divided among themselves the shoes and
caps. and even some Of the members Of those
unfortunate men. Of Lopez nothing certain is
known, excep. that on the 18th he routed the
troops of the government.
LETTER Nv.
General Lopez landed at Payitas, on the
llih, it is said, and the following day the news
was known here. You can imagine the excite.
ment caused by it; the government on the one
side full Of the greatest alarm, and the people
exhibiting their satisfaction in their countenan-
ces. A column Immediately set out under the
command of Emma, the second in command, and
ia said to have had an engagement on the 1 9th
with the liberating force, in which vast num-
Der Of Spaniards p rished, our friends having
obtained complete victory. Emma sent out TO
ask more reinforcements. which have been sent
TO him. We know nothing more at present.
u remains only for me to relate to you that
Havana has been the witness Of scene which
has had no PARALLEL in the annals Of civilized
nations. The steamer Habanero entered this
morning with fifty American prisoners, who
were shot to-day at eleven, without any form Of
trial, and without having given them even the
time necessary 10 prepare for death ms Chris
tians. The troops marched out to the Castle Of
Atares, the place Of the execution, whero was
found assembled numerous multitude Of
Spaniards, since there did not remain clerk in
a shop who did not 90 to be present at the act
This circumstance would be nothing in ITSELF
had ii not been Tor the barbarities that followed
for after the prisoners were shot in the back
their bodies were mutilated in the most horrid
manner, not only soldiers but officers them.
selves took pleasure 10 stabbing and traInpling
on the corpses which were tied by the feet,
their members being mutilated, whi n were ex-
hibited as trophies of victory. ] cannot con-
time further, my pen tremb!es in relating such
acts.
CuBA.-Since the arrival Of the news Of the
landing Of Lopez, which we have already pub
shcd, our city has been quite alive with Cuba
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