The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-10-10
From the NetO York Times Of Vednesday.

J. J. CRIrrENDEN, Acting Secretary of State.
From the Neto York Times of Wednesday.
Cuba Expedition-Interesting Incidents.
We had an interesting interview last evening
with Captain Robert Ellis, of Washington, who
member of the late expedition against Cuba,
was captured and imprisoned after the last engage
ment between General Lopez 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 Cap
tain Ellis engaged in the original Cardenas ex-
petition, well as in every battle fought by Lo-
pee, and is therefore able to speak intelIfgenty of
the entire proceedings of the " Liberators" He is
firm in the belief that man in the expedition
was more deceived than Lopez himself OF the
desire on the part OF the great mass of the peo-
pie of Cuba for revolution he had not the slightest
doubt; but the most important point of the decep-
ton thatrelative TO the actual condition things
upon the island when the PamperQ left for the Cuban
shore. The vessel started from New Orleans for Pu-
erto Principe, via Key West and ST. Johns, Fla at
the latter ofwhch places the artillery debared
from the Cleopatra and designed to be used by Col
Crittenden'scorps. Upon their arrival at Kew West
the citizens who interested in the proposed rev
olution assured them most positively that the en-
tire Island of Cuba was in arms, and that land
where they would they might be of finding
the patriots IN numbers sufficient to overpower all
resistance, ready to receive them with open arms
So confidently were these assertions made. that the
expeditionist5 were completely deceived by them.
and desired to land at the earliest moment in order
to be IN season for participation in the strife and
the triumph. Upon consultation il 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 unne-
cessary. 1t was then determined to direct from
Key West to the nearest point on the Cuban coast,
and IN accordance with that decision Bahia Honda
was made. Here appears to have been the grand
error OF the entire transaction. By leaving the
artillery behind, q strong arm of the force waa
abandoned, as Crittenden with his guns posted in
the mountains could have held long siege gainst
almost any number of the Spanish troops. Again,
it ID the belief of Captain Ellis that there were large
bands OF patriots in the vicinity of Principe who
would not have hesitated to Join Lopez the
moment of his landing in their vicinity. He is
confirmed In this opinion by circumstances which
transpired during his Imprisonment II will readily
be perceived that the landing at an entirely unex-
pected point was calculated to disarrange all pre-
concerted plans for the rising of the population, if
any such existed. Still again: The formation of
that part OF the island upon which the landing was
effected is such that the invading forces posted
upon narrow peninsula from which they could
not escape, as the large bodies of troops sent
against them from Havana were enabled to stretch
line from that city this neck OF the penin-
sula. This arrangement OF the Spanish force was.
OF course, also effective in preventing the patricia
joining Lopez from their stronghods, and
quite sufficient to intmidate the few country peo-
pie, in the vicinity of che INVADERS from joining
the forces Of the latter. Captain Ellis denies the
statement that the country people joined in the at
tack and pursuit ofthc 'sLiberators." On the con-
trary, they treated them with the greatest kind
ness 1t is true that Lopez captured by band
of peasants, after all was lost In view OF the enor-
nous price set upon the head of Lopez, no thinks
this fact Is no evidence OF the absence of dispo-
slion on the part OF the country people to revolt.
Hemmed in every side by the seashore and an
overwhelming opposing force, nothing remained for
the expeditionists but defeat; and quarter
expected by them, their only chance was to hold
out to the last moment, in hope Of reinforcements
from seaward. Capt. Ellis speaks in the highest
terms Of Lopez's bravery; but does not consider
him as having possessed the clements necessary to
success with a small force. Ellis was senior cap
tain in Col. Downman's command; and, while
defending the entrance to the town during the
last battle was wounded in the left hand by
musket ball, which passed through it from one
side to the other severng the cords of the fingers,
but without iniuring the bone. He contin ued in
command, however, until again wounded in the
groin by a ball which struck his own musket, and
CHANGING, lost its force before entering his body.
Himself and party of friends, after the dispersion
of Lopez, took refuge In n peasants hut, which
was surrounded soon after by the Spanish troops.
who took them prisoners, bound them, and set
them in row to be shot. The commanding officer,
after briefdelberaton, altered his mind, conclud-
ing TO postpone the execution until he could COM
municato with his superiors Thus was the appar-
ent doom OF the prisoners averted at the last mo-
ment; and, upon reaching the main body Of his
troops, to their great Joy they found the order just
issued by the Captain General, directing that no
more prisoners should be shot, but that all taken
should be sent into Havana. Thus again
they reprieved. Their capture an hour earlier
would have sealed their fate inevitably. In conse-
quence of his wounds, Captain Ellis was sent to
the hospital, and not being reported convalescent
prior to the sailing Of the fret detachment of prs-
oners transported to Spain escaped transportation
with them. Thus time given his friends to
intercede for his pardon-wih what success bis
presence among us is the best indication He has
quite recovered from his wounds, with the excep-
ton that he has lost the of the fingers of his
left hand He desires especially to express his OBJ
legations TO Lieutenant r. J. II. Handy, of the
United States revenue cutter Forward, to whose
efforts mainly he ascribes his liberation. To MIR.
Sidney Smith, secretary of the British consul, also
is he, in common with all his companions in mis-
fortune, deeply indebted for his sympathy and I'M
renting efforts to alleviate their distress and
cure their comfort. Mr.. j. S. Thrasher
alec unceasing in his attentions will be seen
by letter from the prisoners published in an
other column-addressed to him and MIR. Smith,
All the prisoners not already transported, with
the exception of those liberated remaining in the
hospital, we're sent to Spain in the Spanish NOR
chant brig Ripa, which sailed on the let instant,
under convoy of the steamer Pizarro, which will
accompany her until beyond the reach OF danger
from rescuing parties which the authorities sus-
pect have been sent out from the States We pub
lish, elsewhere, the names of the prisoners
board the Rpa as also of those yet in the hospital
together with statement Of the nature OF the
| Mrs. Patterson, of New Orleans, who went to
Havana TO nercede in person for the life and lib
crty of her son, Chas. A. Downer, arrived too late
to see him, he had already departed for Cadiz
We arc glad to hear, however, that she was so far
successful as to secure from Concha his fui pardon
The document has been sent 20 Spain, and will
probably reach there in time to give him joyful
| greeting upon landing.
| The Captain General states that if the Spanish
residents at New Orleans Unidentified for the
Losses sustained at the hands of the mob, there will
be no obstacle to the immediate release OF all the
prisoners upon proper application to the Court of
| Madrid. So satisfied ia Concha upon this point,
that he authorized Captain Ellis 10 make the above
statement to the United States authorities at WASH
| ington OF course the indemnfcation for the de-
struction by mobs must be made under the statute
| of Louisiana The friends of the prisoners may,
therefore, feel quite easy with respect to their fate.
At the same time il will be well to second with vg-
or the efforts being made for their liberation.
We learn, aso, that the day before the sailing Of
the Rpa, thirty five native patriots we're brought
into Havana from the interior, and were also ship