The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-09-16


the wind or the still mightier lightning. That
night equalled an ordinary lifetime. On the even
ing of the 2lst having been forty eight hours with
out eating we killed horse, which divided
among one hundred and twenty five men, who
were all that now remained with Lopez We
wandered through mountains, unable 10 extrlcate
ourselves, subsisting such leaves and roots as
we could find until midday of Sunday the oath,
when we succeeded in reaching road running
from Bahia Honda to San Crstobal, along which
we advanced until nearly night, when two Spanish
lancers were discovered advancing, but fled on
seeing halt was Immediately ordered, and
an examination made of the state of our forces,
which showed total of one hundred and twenty
five men, eighty muskets, about twenty OF which
were servceabe, and about forty dry cartridges.
Under this state of affairs, it was deemed advisable
to retreat, which ordered, and pursuit COM
meuced 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 every thing which could en-
cumber them in their fiight-seven men only re-
naming with the general large number were
overtaken and Immediately killed. myself was
one Of party Of eight who had previously deter
mined on leaving Lopez, and attempting TO escape
from the island
We remained in the mountains until the morn
ing of Tuesday, the twenty sixth, when, having
had but one meal in six days, and feeling that we
could bear IL no longer, we determined to go into
the plains, considering that 1t would be better to
be killed outright than die lingering death from
starvation, which we certainly would do in the
mountains.
We accordingly advanced to house wherewe
were treated with great deal of kindness, and re-
ceived most excellent breakfast. An arrange
ment was made to procure guide TO the south
shore, with provisions, &c, and we were about to
leave and conceal ourselves until night, when, IN
the twinkling of an eye, we were surrounded by
two hundred armed countrymen, W no Immediately
bound us securely, and inverted our pockets, con-
DuQQer
we reached San Cristobal. Until we reached San
Cristobal we under the impression that we
were to be Immediately shot, our only consolation
being that we were to die with full stomachs.
On our arrival there we were informed that
proclamation had been Issued ten hours before our
arrest, sparing the lives OF all illtbusfeTos who
were made prisoners or gave themselves up within
four days. except the traitor Lopez alter winch an
order dated think, the Oath of April, 1850, (by
which all foreigners found in the island were or
dered to be put to death) to continue i'll full
prisoners, we left San Cristobal for Havana and
on Friday night reached Guayamas, tic terminus
of railroad from Havana. There an order was
received from the Captain General to proceed to
Marel and embark, he being fearful that the pris-
oners would be torn TO pieces by the rabble OF Ba
vana. We reached Mariel on the evening OF the
30th, and were embarked upon the steamer AL
mendares TO proceed to Havana, when an express
arrived bringing information of the capture OF Lo-
PEE, and the steamer was delayed TO await his ar
rival, which took place at two O'Clock, p. M, on
Sunday, the 3lst, when Immediately left
for Havana. Lopez was entirely at liberty,
and smoked his cigarette with apparently as
much unconcern he did in his life. Out
side the harbor of Maricl Lopez was transferred to
the steam -frigate Pizarro, which conveyed him to
Havana, and which he did not leave until he left
mex morning for the place OF execution.
The remainder OF US were confined that night in
the city prison. in the rear OF the fort called the
Ponta. The prisoners passed through regular
process, their hair being first cut close to their
heads They then passed into the hands OF ana
Their barber, who deprived them OF their whiskers;
then another provided them witha prison uniform,
and the exercises were terminated by big negro,
who securely fastened them in pairs by chain,
similar in size and weight 10 O log chain, firmly
secured to the ANGLE.
At the time of my release from prison, which was
at ten O'Clock on the night of the 18th instant there
one hundred and sixty of our force prisoners.
They all chained and confined in one large
room, hardly large enough, however, for all to lie
down at once They treated very kindly,
and allowed all the priv eyes that could be expect
ed AS matter of course, where so many men
are confined in limited space and not allowed to
leave ii under any circumstance, 1t naturally fol-
lows that il must be very unpleasant. Their sem
tence is ten years hard labor in Spain probably in
the construction 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 Pizarro, and pub
icly garotted in the square adjoining the prison. at
seven o'clock in the morning OF Monday, the LIST OF
September With him ended not only this expedi-
tion, but sincerely trust all expeditions to Cuba
Up to the ii me left, the Spaniards could account
for two hundred and seventy-one Americans-in-
Guiding Crittendens COMMUNICATION they had
killed, that ia in action; wounded men who were
left ON the field, and sick and fatigued men who
gave out on the march, and were left behind, and
men whom they hunted down in the mountains
with dogs. Those, with the one hundred and sixty
taken prisoners, make total OF four hundred and
l4l.- auit, hala
of twenty-five men whose fate is yet unknown-the
total force landed being four hundred and fifty three
men, Ofthese twenty two, probably the greater por
ton yet alive and in the mountains and the
troops have all been recalled to Havana, it is pro
bable some of them may yet succeed in getting
home Out of the whole number made prisoners
but two others besides myself have been pardoned.
Those Colonel Haynes and Captain Kelly,
whom the Captain General pardoned and sent
home unsolicited. They were to leave Havana for
this port in the packet-shp Norma on Friday. My
own release granted as special favor to Cap
tain Charles II. Plat, of the United States ship AL
bany, on board of which was conveyed by an aid
of the Captain General, at III O'Clock on Wednes
day night, the ship proceeding to sea Immediate
ly. His excellency sent government tow-boat
and pilot TO take her out.
Lopez was caught with bloodhounds, in the
mountains, on the morning of Friday, the 10Th in
stant The dogs being some distance in advance
of the men, bit him badly in the left leg. There
were seventeen countrymen In the party who cap
tured MIN, eaCn OF WuOIl was presented
with one thousand dollars, and cross of honor,
Immediately after his execution.
Let us now review the causes and results Of this
expedition. At the time received my appoint
ment from MIR. Sigur, one of the editors ofthe New
Orleans Delta, was told by him that revolt was
regularly organized among the creoles throughout
the island of Cuba; that they had elected General
Lopez their leader, and their object to free
Cuba from the tyranny of Spain, and either form a
republic of their own, annex the island TO the
United States. He told me that Lopez about
to leave New Orleans for Cuba, with about five
hundred Americans; and that his landing was the
signal for general rising, and that, within ten
days after landing, he would be at the head of nm
army of ten thousand men; that there were also
two whole regiments of Spanish troops TO come
over to him with their equipments. The same
story was told to all. Was it BOZ As have al
ready stated, our first salutntion a volcy OF
musketry, instead of, as the Delta asserts, large
body of friends, with horscs, stores, SC, for our
use Instead of finding the creoles friends,
we found them most bitter enemes-far more
so than the troops keeping the troops constantly
| informed of our movements, and hanging on our
skirts putting to death, without mercy, all those
who struggled on the march OF the troops can
not but speak in praise, without single exception.
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