Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-09-29

| command win MN. 0en Lopez repiec
that he had sent two companies that after
noon to Crittenden's relief, and that they
had returned and stated that it was impos
sible to get through; that his troops were
already under marching orders, and that
it was absolutely necessary he should leave
there that night, as he would be again at.
tackled by the Spanish troops in the morn
ing, with artillery. He intended to make
for the mountains, where he calculated to
meet some Creoles who were said to be In
arms there. Capt. Kelly says that Gen
Lopez appeared TO be very anxious to join
witk Col. Crittenden; but it was absolute
~ necessary that he should leave his pres
ent situation before the Spanish comman-
der could receive his artillery, as their po-
sition would soon be rendered untenable.
Gen. Lopez had no artillery nor did the
Pampero bring over any as reported. He
expected TO find Creole iorccin the noun
tains with artillery as he had been inform
ed. Las Pozas is situated about twelve
miles from the sea shore, and at the foot OF
the mountain forming the region called the
Vuelta Abaia. About twenty minutes al-
ter Capt. Kelly's arrival, the whole com
mand were on the march, and shortly after
commenced ascending the mountains
About daylight they reached a house used
as sort of general post office for the dis
trict, and about mile farther on they came
across another house, where the men got
breakfast. which they ate with right good
will. They rested here until the afternoon
which was much needed, as Capt. Ks men
had now been on the march for two nights
and one day.
took up the line of march and arrived at u
hacienda formerly belonging to Gen. Lo-
peg about s or o'clock on the morning Of
the 10TH While taking breakfast, party
of about 200 lancers charged down npon
them, but were soon driven back. Almost
Immediately after, news was received that
large force of Spanish troops were in a
field about u mile off, and Lopez immediate
y marched thither. where about FIVE hun
dred of the enemy formed to receive him.
He Immediately attacked them with his di-
minished force, and after short but sharp
conflict, completely routed them, they flying
in all directions to the woods. In this fight
Gen. Emma was killed.
After this, Lopez resumed his march
and crossed the mountains, passing through
a thickly settled country, until they reach
ed coffee estate, where they got some
thing to eat. They continued marching
about until the 21st, when their guide
brought them to within few miles of San
Cris,obal, where, as Gen. Lopez learned
from a countryman, there were upwords Of
1900 Spanish troops. They proceeded
to the top of a small hill, whence they saw
the troops patrolling the valley below
They remained here all night, exposed to
heavy rain, and in the morning started
back about fifteen miles, over road rem
dered very bad and slippery by the rain of
the night before. They again turned south
on their way to the house ofa friend, where
they intended to rest and put their arms,
which had been much damaged by the rain
in ORDER While taking breakfast next
morning, the 23d, they were attacked by
large force of Spanish troops. Captain
Kelly thinks between four and five hun
dred, and here the invading troops met
their first reverse, owing to the bad condi-
ton of their arms. 1t was deemed advisa-
BILE to retire to the mountains, and Lopez
gave an order to that effect. Some TWEEN
ty or thirty men left the main body and
made for the woods. Some of the others
who remained with Lopez threw away their
guns.
By the time they reached the mountains,
it commenced raining, and raincd furious
ly for about AS hours. This completely
ruined their remaining guns, and all their
ammunition, besides preventing them from
making fires and getting any thing to eat.
When it cleared of, they killed and ate
Gen. Lopez's horse. the last food they had.
A consultation of officers was now had,
and they demanded that Gen Lopez should
take them at once to where the Patriot
forces he had spoken of were stationed, or
at least reach the coast where they might
embark for Jamaica or Yucatan. Lopez
consented to their demand, and they star
ted for the Patriot rendezvous to the South.
The guide, however, mistook the road,
and led them again to San Cristobal. Here
they found themselves in front Of "A large
body Of troops, who ordered them to sur
render, and on their refusal fired upon them,
but the ball passed over their heads. The
Americans attempted 10 return the fire,
when they found that not gun in the
command would go off. Before the Span
ish troops could again load and fire, the in-
vaders scattered in all directions and took
to the woods.
From this time until his arrest, Capt
Kelly stated that he and the few men with
him wandered about the woods and rocks
living on the pith of the palmetto tree and
rnangoes.
On the goth, weak and half starved, they
were overtaken and arrested by party o.
countrymen, who informed them Of tn,
pardon proclaimed by the Captain General
They were taken to Bahia Honda, placed
on board the steamer Habanero, ant
brought to Havana.
Some of the dates in the above Statement
may be wrong, as they are given from re
collection, but the main facts are correct
Captain Kelly states that to his knowledge
but two Creoles joined them, and the,
were both killed. He and Col Haync
both scout at the idea that Lopez purposel,
abandoned Crittenden and his men, ant
say that he would have given his right hant
to have had them with him. Captain X
thinks that after Col. Crittendcn left him
he concealed himself in the woods with tn
view Of drawing the enemy into an am
bush, and that on his return, finding tha
Capt. Kelly had left the tienda, and no
knowing in which direction he had march
ed, he and his men being without guide
through the country. had concluded :
make for the coast and put out to sea, IN tn
hope of getting on hoard ofsome America
or neutral vessel. That he must have ha
some fighting is evident from the fact tha
when he left Captain Kelly he had eight