Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1851-09-18
Further 4 cccunis Of the Lopez
Expedition, by one Of the BnHd.
Np,., v,,nu Cant

New YoaK, Sept. i3.
Philip Van Vcchten. who was con-
nected with the Lopez expedition, and
who arrived in the Winfield Scott, yes
,erday, publishes the following I:
He says he first became connected
with the expedition OH the 30ih Of July
last, and was appointed lst lieutenant
Of company ID, in Crittenden's regiment.
The expedition left New Orleans Il. day
break, Aug. 3, in the Pampcro. The
engine being out OF order, they We're
towcd 10 the mouth OF the river, and Ie-
manned there ill the 9th. They then
left for Key West intending to go to the
river ST. Johns, where they were TO en-
bark light battery OF artillery, with
caissons, ammunition and harness COM
plete, together with number Of caval-
ry saddles, and from thence were TO run
to the South side of Cuba, and land
near rs possible TO Puerto Principe.
They arrived at Key West on the
10Th. No plot appearing. Lopez, with
the Cubans and Hungarians, held n
council of war, and decided to run I'M
mcdiately TO Cuba. The next morning,
owing 10 variations of the compass, by
muskets being stacked near it, the Pam
4 eto was in plain sight of Moro Castle.
The vessel was Immediately headed
northwarj and w,s'ward, and !. run out
Of sight of land.
Shortly utter Lopez took the captain
and mate of 4 Spanish schooner, and by
threats shooting him, compelled him
to pilot him in.
The sentry on the walls Of the fort
near Bahia Honda saw and challenged
the Pampcro. The lights were put out
and the ship was run along to the west
ward, when she suddenly struck upon
coral reef and in order 10 get her off,
they were compelled to disembark the
troops. This took place on the morr-
ing Of the 18th.
The boats were fired upon by the
Spanish. At d,ylight Lopez sent
pronunciamento to Los Pasos, in which
he informed the Inhabitants he was
about to march upon them. He would
give no quarter TO any who did not join
him, being without the means Of trans
por,a,ion.
Lopez ordered Col. Crittenden to re.
main and protect the baggage, &c, to-
gcther with one thousand musket cart
ridges, 5000 muskets, and 700 pounds of
powder in kegs.
Lopez told Crittenlen that he would
send Tor him at Los Pasos. He took
with him 323 men, leaving l30 with Col.
Cri'tcnden.
At II o'clock lha, night started to Join
Lopez. Their advance was slow, and
on the morning Of the 18th, while eating
breakfast they were surprised by the
report OF musketry and the whstling Of
bullets, from body Of the Spaniurds,
500 strong.
The Spaniards were rcpulscd, and
nine killed. A short time after, they re.
peated the attack. Critenden charged
them, and forced them TO retreat to a
chappanal, from which ~ the patriots
advanced, ahey opencd destructive
Gre.
Cnitisnden, finding he could not main
tain his position, ordered return, and
the enemy again advanced. At this
time Criuen len wished small party 10
attain a position at the righ, flank of the
enemy, to charge from that side at the
g .me moment he'chargcd on the front.
Myself. with Lieut.. Crorts, and 20 men
volunteered, and attained the position.
After remaining alb rat half an hour, and
hcamng nothing Of Crittenden, we were
compelled 10 retreat leaving our bag
gage dllu stOFCs.
The next morning we succeeded in
joining Lopez at Loz Pasos half an
hour before hemalched from that place.
Gen. Enna Immediately ATTACKED Lopez
with body Of 500 men. After a hard
fgh, she Spaniards rcu Gated with over
200 Of their number, among whom were
several Of their highest officers, dead
and wounded
Lopez lost in killed and wounded, 30
men, among whom were Col. bowman,
Lieut. Laviseau, killed Gen. Pragay,
Captains Brigham and Cont, mortaIly
wounded. Lopez rode entirely un-
harmed over the field through the hot
test OF the fire, occasionally applying Il
cowhi6e with great deal 81 vigor TO
the shoulders OF such men as he though;
could be hurried a little faster.
On the morning Of the Nth, Lopez
marched into the mouuains, leaving IL
wounded SpaDiarJs and l3 Of his men,
who were bayonetcd by the Spanards,
aud their bodies piled in a heap at the
foot of IA hill.
On the 18th Lopez was attacked by
| 900 men. The action lasted 3 hours,
OH one OF the hottest days ever expert
| enced. The SpaniarJs reireated with