The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-10-10

consul, ny IetdHlDs uiui III omCc.
From the New York Daily Times, Oct 8.
The Cuban Expedltion.-Ints1e stlng IncId onts.
We had interesting interview last evening with
Captain Robert Ellis OF Washington who was member
of the late expedition against Cuba, captured and i'm
prlsoned alter the last engagement between General Lo
pei and the Spanish troops and liberated by the captain
general IN time TO take passage in the Empire City for
this port where he arrived yesterday morning. Captain
Ellis was engaged IN the original Cardenas expedition.
well as IN every battle fought by Lopez and is therefore
able 10 speak nteseny OF the entire proceedings OF the
liberators" He is firm in the belief that no in the
expedition was more deceived than Lopez himself OF
the desire on the part OF the great mass OF the people Of
Cuba Tor revolution he had not the slightest doubt But
the most important point OF the deception that rela
tive to the actual condition of things upon the island
when the Pampero left for the Cuban shore The vessel
started from New Orleans for Puerto Principe via Key
West and St Johns Fordaat the latter OF which places
was the artillery debarked from the Cleopatra and de-
signed to be used by Colonel Crttendens corps Upoa
their arrival al Key West the citizens who inter-
esed in the proposed revolution assured them posi-
lively that the entire island OF Cuba in and that
land where they would they might be sure Of finding the
patriots in numbers sufficient to overpower all resist
ance, ready TO receive them with open arms. So conf
IDENTIFY these assertions made that the expedonists
were completely deceived by them and desired land al
the earliest momen in order to be in for partc
patton in the strife and the triumph Upon consultation
il was thought unnecessary to lose two days by running
up TO ST. Johns for the artillery especially in the sup
posed state OF affairs they would be entirely unneces
sary. II was then determined 10 direct from Key
West to the nearest point on the Cuban coast and in
accordance with that decision Bahia Honda made
Here appears TO have been the grand error of the entire
transaction By leaving the artillery behind. strong
arm OF the force abandoned as Crenden with his
guns posted in the mountains. could have held long
siege against almost any number of the Spanish troops
Again, ii is the belief OF Captain Ellis that there were
large bands OF patriots in the vicinity oil Principe who
would have hesitated to JOIN Lopez the moment OF
his landing in their vicinity He is confirmed IN this
opinion by circumstances which ,ranspired during his
Imprisonment II will readily be perceived that the land
ing entirely unexpected point calculated 10 dis
arrange all peconcerted plans Tor the rising OF the popu
a,on If any such existed Still again: the formation OF
that part of the island upon which the landing was ell
eced is such that the invading forces were posted upon
narrow peninsula IRON which they could not escape, as
the large bodies OF troops sent IRON Havana
were enabled TO stretch line from that city across
this neck OF the peninsula This arrangement OF
The Spanish force was OF course also effective IN
strongholds, and was quite sufficient to iniimdate
the few country people IN the vicinity OF the invaders
from joining the forces OF the latter Capt Ellis denies
The statement that the country people joined in the at
tack and pursuit Of the .'lberaiors" On the contrary,
they treated ,heNw the greaest kindness II is true
that Lopez was captured by band OF peasants, after all
was lost In view OF the enormous price upon the
head OF Lopez, he thinks this fact evidence OF the
absence OF disposition the part OF the country people
10 revolt Henmed in every side by the sea shore
and overwhelming opposing force, nothing remained
for the expedilionsts but defeat and no quarter
expected By them their only chance was TO bold out TO
the last moment IN hope OF endorsements from seward
but does not consider him having possessed the ele
ments necessary TO success with small force. Ellis
was senior captain in Col. Downman's command, and,
while defending the entrance 10 the town during the last
battle, wounded in the left hand by muske ball,
which passed through il from side TO the other sew
erng the cords of the fingers, but without njuring
the bone. He continued in command, however, until
again wounded in the groin by ball which struck
his own muskei, and gancing, lost It's force before
entering his body Himself and party OF friends,
after the dispersion OF Lopez, took refuge in peas
AMI w vas
Spanish troops, who took them prisoners, bound
them and set them in a, row TO be shot l he com
handing officer, after bnef deberaton, altered his
mind concluding to postpone the execution until he
could communicate with his superors. Thus was the
apparent doom OF the prisoners ayered at the last mo-
nen and upon reaching the main body OF his troops, TO
their great sy they found the order Just issued by the
captain general directing that 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
consequences OF his wounds, Capt Ellis sent 10 the
hospital and not being reported convaescen puor 10 the
sailing OF the first detachment OF prisoners transported to
Spain, escaped transportation with them Thus time was
given his friends ntercede for his pardon-wiih what
success his presence among US is the best indication
He has quite recovered IRON his wounds, with the excep
ton that he has lost the OF the fingers OF his left
hand He desires especially express his obligations
Lieut. r. II Handy, United States revenue cutter For
ward whose efforts manly be ascribes his liberation
also, is he, common with all his companions in mlsor
tune deeply indebted Tor his sympathy and unremtting
efforts TO alleviate their distress and their comfort
nv j. s Thrasher also unceasng in his attentions
will be by letter from the prisoners published
in another column addressed to him and Mr.. Smith.
All the prisoners not already transported, with the
cepton Of those liberated remaining in the hospital
sent TO Spain in the Spanish merchant brig Rpa,
which sailed the first instant, under convoy of the
steamer Pzarro. which will accompany her until be.
You'd the reach of danger from rescuing parties which the
authorities suspect have been sent out from the States
We publish elsewhere the names OF the prisoners on
board the Rpa, also OF those yet in the hospital.
Mrs Patterson, Of New Orleans, who went TO Havana
to ntercede person for the life and liberty Of her
Cbas A. Downer, arrived late him, as he had
already departed for Cadiz We are glad to hear how
ever that she was far successful to secure from
Concha his full pardon The document has been sent to
Spain and will probably reach there in time to give him
a joyful greeting upon landing.
The general states that il the Spanish residents
at New Orleans are Unidentified for the losses sustained
at the hands OF the mob there will be obstacle the
immediate release OF all the prisoners upon proper ap
plcaon 10 the court Of Madrid SO satisfied il Concha
upon this point that he authorized Captain Ellis make
the above staemen, to the United States authorities nj
Washington. OF course the indemni6caton for the de-
suuo,ion by mobs mus, be made under the statute Of
Louisiana The friends OF the prisoners may therefore