The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-09-17

ming That night equalled an ordinary lifetime. On the
evening OF the 2lst having been forty eight hours with
ou eating we killed horse, which divided among
one hundred and twenty-five men, who were all that
remained with Lopez We wandered through noun.
talns unable 10 extricate ourselves subssng such
caves and roots could find until midday of sun.
tay the 24tb when succeeded in reaching road run
ming from Bahia Honda TO San Cris,oba along which
we advanced untll nearly night when two Spanish
ancers discovered advancing but fed on seeing us
halt was Immediately ordered and an examination
made OF The state OF forces which showed total OF
hundred and twenty five men. eighty muskes, about
twenty OF which were seviceable and about forty dry
cartridges Under this state of affairs il deemed adj
ysable 10 retreat, which ordered, and pursuit com
menced by the enemy who lay in ambush some four
hundred yards in advance with force OF nine hundred
men, On the approach OF The enemy the whole force OF
Lopez separated into small bodies, and dispersed through
the mountains throwing away their guns and rthlng
which could cucumber them in their fght-seven only
remaining with the general large number were
oyerlaken and Immediately killed. myself was one OF
party OF eight who had previously determined on eay-
ing Lopez and attempting to escape from the island.
We remained in the mountains until the morning OF
Tuesday the 26th when, having had but meal in six
days, and ieeling that could bear II no longer we de
lemined go into the plains considering that il would
be better 10 be killed outright than die Lingering death
from starvation, which We certainly would do IN the
mountains.
We accordingly advanced to a house where
treated with great deal OF Kindness and received
most excellent breakfast An arrangement was made TO
procure guide to the south shore, with provisions, &c
aud about TO leave and conceal ourselves until
night, when, in the twnkling OF eye, we were sur
rounded by hundred VINO imfe-
datey bound securely, and inverted pockets
sderng the contents lawful plumber. That day we
reached San Cristobal. Until we reached San Crsoba
under the impression that we were TO be imme
datey shot, our only consolation being that 10
die with full stomachs.
On our arrival there we were informed that procla
nation bad been issued ten hours before arrest
sparng the lives Of all fRbusteros who made psis
oners or gave themselves up within four days, except
the traitor Lopez; after which order dated, think
the path OF April 1850, by which all foreigners found
he \ m
tnue in lul force, On the 2Sth, there being then forty
seven prisoners, left San Crstoba for Havana; and
Friday night reached Guayamas, the terminus OF
railroad from Havana. There order received
rom the capain-general 10 proceed 10 Marle and en-
bark he being fearful that the prisoners would be torn TO
pieces by the rabble OF Havana. We reached Marel
the evening OF the 3Oh, and were embarked upon the
steamer Amendares TO proceed to Havana, when an
press arrived bringing information OF the capture OF Lo-
peg, and the steamer delayed 10 await his arrival
which took place al two O'Clock, m, Sunday, the
3lst when we Immediately left for Havana Lopez was
entirely at liberty, and smoked his cigarette VITA ap
parcny as much unconcern as he ever did in his life
Outside the barbor OF Marel, Lopez transferred to
the steam rgate Pzaro, which conveyed him to Havana
and which he did not leave until he leit next morning
tor the place OF execution.
The remainder OF confined that night in the
city prison, in the of tie fort called the Pona The
prisoners passed through regular process their hair be-
ing first cut close TO their beads They then passed into
the hands OF another barber, who deprived them OF their
whIskers then another provided them with prison
uniform and the exercises were terminated by big
gro who securely fastened them in pairs, by chain
liar in size and weight 10 log chain, firmly secured to
the ankle
AT the time of my release from prison. which was at
ten O'Clock the night of the 4h instant, there
one hundred and sixty of our force prisoners They
all chained and confined in large room-hardly large
enough, however for all 10 lie down at once. They
treated very kindly, and allowed all the privileges that
could be expected. As matter of course, where 50
many men confined in limited space, ard not allow
ed 10 leavet under any circumstances, naturally fol-
lowed that il must be very unpleasant Their sentence
is ten yeats hard labor in SPAIN probably in the
strucon Of canal They all appeared TO be in good
spirits at the time left, being under the impression that
they would soon be released after their arrival in
Spain.
Lopez was brought from the Pizauo and publicly
garroted in the square adjoining the prison at o'clock
on the morning OF Nonday the lst OF September, With
hm.ended not only this expedition but sncere trust
all expeditions to Cuba.
w. TO the time lett, the Spanards could account for
two hundred and seventy Americans, including Crit
tenden's command whom they had ked-thai is. in
ton, wounded men who left the field, and sick
and dtigued men who gave out the march. and were
LETT behind, and men whom they hunted down in the
mountains with dogs Those, with the hundred and
sixty taken prisoners, make total OF four hundred and
thirty.one men accounted for-leaving balance OF
twenty two whose fate is yet unknown, the total
force landed being four hundred and ffy.three
OF these twenty two. probably the greater portion yet
alive, and IN the mounains and, as the troops have all
been recalled to Havana it is probable OF them may
vet succeed in getting home Out of the whole number
made prisoners but two Others besides myself have been
pardoned. Those are Colonel Haynes and Capt. Kelly,
cited They 10 leave Havana for this port in the
packet ship Norma Friday. My own release
granted special favor TO Captain Charles T. Plat, Of
the United States ship Albany board OF which
conveyed by aid OF the capaingeneral at IL o'clock
on Wednesday night, the ship proceeding to mme.
diaely His excelency sent government tow boat and
pilot 10 take her out.
Lopez was caught with blooihounds, in the noun.
ains, the morning of Friday, the goth instant The
dogs being distance in advance OF the men, bit him
badly in the left leg There seventeen country
each
lcy presented with thousand dollars and cross OF
honor Immediately after his execution.
Let us now review the and results OF this expe
ditlon. At the time received my appointment from Mr..
Sigur, Of the editors OF the New Orleans Delta,
told by him that revolt was regularly organized
among the Creoes throughout the island OF Cuba; that
they had elected General Lopez their leader and their
object 10 free Cuba from the tyranny of Spain, and
either form republic Of their own or annex the island
the United States He told me that Lopez was about to
leave New Orleans for Cuba, with about five hun.
dred Americans, and that his landing the signal for
general rising, and that within ten days after landing
he would be al the head Of army OF len thousand
that there also two whole regiments OF Spanish
troops 10 come over 10 him with their equipments The
same story was told TO all. Was IL SOL As | have al
ready stated, fret sauation volley OF mu-ket
~ instead of, the Delta asserts, large body OF
friends, with horses, stores. &c. for Instead
OF finding the Creoles friends, found them our
most bitter enemies--far more than The troops-keep
ing the troops constantly informed OF movements and
hanging our skirts putting TO death, without mercy,
all those who struggled on the march. OF the troops
cannot but speak in praise, without single exception
They treated the prisoners with the utmost Kindness,
giving them wine, cigars, bea tobacco, and aguadene
freely and from their own small means. imagine no
80. had