The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-09-04

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port was that Lopez and his men had retired 10 n
small town in the mountains called LIS Posas
where they had fortified themselves in the houses
that they had been attacked, and had repulsed the
Spanish troops three times, killing and wounding
Is officers besides q large number Of men
! The following letter, which we find in the Plea
/ y1Hs, fully explains the cause Of the capture Of
/ the fifty Americans
HAVANA, august l6, 1881.
! DEAR HULNG We arrived on the island Of
Cuba after the most horrible passage you can con-
ceive of, cooped on board with 500 men
| We arrived on Sunday last believe-dates
have almost forgotten. The next morning Lopez
with General Paraguay and all the commanding
officers, left us-l mean Crittenden and his batal-
lion) We heard nothing more Of him for two
days, when Crittenden despatched note. He
then requested we should join him at little town
some six or eight miles off leaving us, in the mean
time, TO take care Of all the baggage, &c
We started for him ON Wednesday morning
at two O'clock and had proceeded only three
miles and were attacked by 500 Spanish soldiers
In the FIRST charge received a very severe wound
IN the knee We repulsed them, however. They
made another charge, and completely routed us
We spent two days and nights, the most misera-
you can imagine, in the chsparel, without any
thing TO eat or drink
We made the best Of our way to the sea.shore
and found some boats with which we put to sea.
Spent night upon the ocean, and next day about
II o'clock, were taken prisoners by the Habanero
were brought to Havana last night, and condemn
ed to die this morning. We shall all be shot in
an hour.
Good bye, and God bless you send the Me-
sonic medal enclosed in this belonging 10 my
father Convey it to my sister, Mrs Pm, and
tell her Of my fate Once more, God bless you.
STANFORD
From this the Picayol infers that Lopez. with
300 men, advanced to Las Posas, leaving Critten-
den, with la men, in charge Of the baggage, who.
on the next day, were cut of from their oompsI-
IONS by 500 Spanards, who arrived in the Pizarro
On the second night they attempted TO form a
junction with Lopez, but were attacked and routed
> p. !" i9rge body es SaeaS&,--gI 81 -, -
about in the thlckets so Of them reached the sea
shore and found four small boats and attempted
to escape, but were captured. OF the remaining
CT, 40 were surprised and shot at a small farm
house, aud 20 others found guarding an equal
number Of wounded comrades, were put TO death
The remaining "a were no doubt shot Lopez
was attacked at Las Posas, but defeated the Span
iards with great loss Lopez held his own for two
days, and then LEFT, unmolested, for the interior
The steamer arrived with the prisoners during
the night, and their fate was determined upon at
once and the fiat was that they should be exc
cuted the following morning at seven o'clock A
respite, however, was granted, and the execution
did not take place until eleven o'clock. They
were not permitted TO 60 on shore in the city but
were Immediately taken to one Of the Qualifications
opposite the city, and there most brutality muir
dered After the discharge Of the infantry those
who were not instantly killed were beat upon the
head with the muskets until life was extinct The
msnged c0rpses were then inferred amid the
shouts and curses Of bloodthirsty rabble All
this occurred within sight and hearing of the ves-
sells in the port Among those shot was young
lad of but ID years, who beseeched them on his
knees to send some one TO him who could speak
English but his request was unheeded, and he
shared the fate of the others
A letter in the Picayuns says the prisoners
were tried by court martial on board the frigate
Esperanzs and sill the officers, two surgeons, and
every fifth man were condemned to be shot. This
sentence, however, was not approved by the Cap.
tain General, and he ordered the whole Of them
to be shot.
The most intense excitement prevails at Ha-
vana. General Concha has issued an order for
the arrest of all persons who may be heard ex-
pressing an Opltion in public.
Little or no reliance can he placed upon Gov
eminent reports Of affairs in the island, as they
suppress everything that is not for their advan
tage 10 have known in public.
A letter in the Picdyuae, dated Havana, August
Is, says Several families arrived from the seal
OF war near Bahia Honda, this morning, and re.
port that the Patriots had killed a large number
of the Spanish soldiers, and were advancing
This, you will perceive, is in direct contradiction
of the Government accounts, and you must Gift
the truth out for yourselves. ! but give the facts
as hear them
Another party Of artillery left here this MORN
ing, and last night several wagons and mule loads
Of provisions we're sent out.
A letter in the Data, dated Havana August
Is, says
81 write to impress you with the conduct of our
Consul Mr. Owen, Of Georgia He has been
called upon by several Americans, TO 20 10 the
Captain General, who would not have refused
him, to be present while these poor fellows lived,
and obtain their dying request. he refused, Also.
hatly, TO have anything TO do with tp
The PicayuDe's correspondent also says:
"Mr. Owen, to my personal knowledge, was
called upon by countryman Of ours, who wished
to learn il he had made any effort 10 see the
prisoners. 10 reply to the inquiry, the Consul
replied OH these men have been placed by
the President without the pale Of the law, and
shall not interfere with them After some con-
versation, and suggestion that they might not be
without the pale Of humanity the Consul con-
cluded that be would write 70 the Captain Gene
raj At 2 o'clock, several hours after the execu-
| ton the same gentleman called again upon the
| Consul and was informed that no reply had been
received from the Captain General. Upon fur
ther inquiry, the Consul stated that 10 his letter
he had merely asked for an interview"
The letter in the Delta, referred 10 above, con-
tsins the following
"They shot several men on the 5th, lone q
| German doctor, and the other an American engi-
neer) so | am well informed. Sixteen others
shot, positively.
"The Albany left us this morning, in alarm
and without protection. We have government
Of protection, surely Lopez is said TO be thirteen
leagues from here, with 2 900 men. How these
men are scattered we do not know, nor con we
tell 30 many rumors that we cannot get at the
truth But four Spanish men ofwar are just In,
two Of which are loading fast, for some purpose,
what we know not yet, The Government Is
alarmed, and the Spaniards worse Trouble In
the camp They have brought up 1888 wounded,
and are Said to have lost 42s In the first action.
"The Pizarro is still ashore of Playitos eight
vessels are cruising between this and San Anto-
nion
The Crescent contains the following letters
from the slaughtered Kerr--one q copy the other
an original the hand writing Of which is frm and
regular, though In few minutes he was 10 meet
his terrible fate. We subioin them, emitting
one line of a peculiarly private and delicate ma
ture.
DEAR FELIcA: Adieu, my dear wife This 10
the last letter that you will receive from your
Victor. In one hour ! shall be no more
Embrace all my friends for me.
My adieu TO my sisters and brothers Again, a
Last adieu. die like soldier. Your husband,
VIcIoR KERR.
August 10, ls5l-sixth hour Of the day
My DEAR FRRsps leave you forever 20
TO the other world, but with honor | am pris-
oner in Havana, and in an hour will have ceased
to exist. My old friends, think often OF me
die worthy Of the name bear, worthy Of Gre
ole, Of a Louisianian, and as Kerr. My friends,