Hannibal journal and western union. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1851-1852, 1851-09-25
From The Washington Republic cfthe Oh.
EXPED DITION
Of LopeZ, as Narrated bv his Followers.

Extract from dispatch to the Navy Department,
from Commander Charles T. Platt, Command
ing United States ship Albany, dated Havana,
Sept. l.
The followers of Lopez having been entirely
dispersed, and number of prisoners reported
as brought to this place on the 9th ultimo, | adj
dressed letter to the Captain General request
ing permission TO hold an interview with any
Americans who might be among them. This
permission was readily accorded in a reply,
which is enclosed. The interview was post
lponed until the morning Of the Both, the prison
ers having in the mean time been transferred to
1.-THE castle Of the "Punta" and some accessions
having been made to their number. The COM
Imandant of the castle Informed me that the
whole number of prisoners is ffty-seven, of
whom about thirty 7or thirty-fve were Ameri-
cans, as we learned from themselves. This Of
fcer was precent throughout the Interview
Another gentlemen, who was introduced as in
spector of prisons, came in during its continu-
ance, and remained until its close. The priso-
ners were heavily ironed, were clad in a pris-
or uniform, and had their hair closely cut They
were confined in an arched gallery, to which ac-
cess was had through two grated doors, the in
ner being entirely of iron. In the little ante
r0,Dn between the two doors lay the garments
worn by theprisoners at the time of their con-
tinements
80
They stated that the expedition sailed from
New Orleans in the steamer Pampero They
were not sure ofytbe exact number composing
it, but thought il was four hundred and eighty
seven; that il certainly did not amount to FIVE
hundred. Before landing in Cuba they anchored
near Key West, where they remained several
hours, and were visited by some citizens of that
place. They landed in Cuba about two o'clock
of the morning of the 18th August, Their first
fight took place on the 18th. From that period
they had lost all recollection Of dates. They
had five engagements, but could not tell how
many of their number had been killed. They
lwere armed with condemned muskets-had nc
rifles, but many individuals had revolvers ant
knives. They brought with them eighty thou.
sand cartridges, and captured many more after
landing. They had no artillery. Soon aftel
landing they found they had been deceived
and became anxious to return home. They hal
been Informed, before sailing, that fourteen
towns were in possession of the ''patdots," q,
use their own language and that the wholels
land was in a state of revolution.
They suppose the fifty men captured will
Col. Crittepden were endeavoring to make dhei
escape. They so infer from the fact that they
, were all dispirited by the reception they me
with, and disguised, they said with the "Ges ant
deception practiced towards them. The coun
try people generally fed at their approach, an
none Joined them. Worn out with hunger an
fatigue, the men composing this body threw a
! way their arms week or ten days previous
Ythev could not distinctly remember avhcn. The,
had not at that time heard of the offer of life
'such as would give themselves up, but their in
tention was to throw themselves on the mere
= ofo the Spanish Government. They did nc
y come in all together, but inosmall parties, and
4 different times. They had subsisted chiefly up
on fruit, and the last meat that some of them 10
: eaten was their Generals horse. There was n
= lack of ammunition when they threw away thei
= arms, though much of what they brought ha
), been damaged by rain. Lieut.. Grider state
. that he carried musket, though an officer, an
= that he had % rounds of cartridges in his bo
y when he threw il away. O.
Capt. Kelly stated that the editor of the Nev
: Orleans Delta, Mr. Sigur, was instrumental
" persuading him to join the expedition. .having az
!. dressed him personally upon the subject II
had reason to believe that he persuaded man
Others also. The whole party manifested muc
> indignation towards Gen. Lopez and Mr.. Sigu
. and many of them asserted that it would
worse for the latter if they should live 10 retui
= home. On being told that Gen. Lopez was Il
10 ken prisoner, cry of joy and eNultation n
= through the crowd.
They stated that Lopez was chief OF the e.
; tpedition.
! Col. Dowseman was second in command, al
= was killed on the 18th,
Colonel William Scott Haynes, of Tennese
: was another leader. According to their be
- belief he was still in the mountains.
:. Col. Crittenden had been an officer in the I'm
|! ted States Army during the war with Mexico
A Hungarian named Pragay, who acted
y Adiutant General was mortally wounded
>, the 18th.
=, - 1t is a matter of regret that SO imperfect
= narrative has been obtained from these unfort
~ nate men. In the excitement Of themome
many would speak at once, aud tD some que
tions il was difficult to get satisfactory answ
- - on account of the eagerness of all 70 give It.
~ AT the request of the commandant Of the ca
N tie, the prisoners were asked if they had h
- :. the benefit OF medical attendance during th'
= = confinement. They replied that they had.
., They were also asked if they had been provid
with two meals day, and whether they h
bread and coffee for breakfast. Some said tn
~, had but others replied that they had no CO
y fee. The commandant Immediately inquired
reason Of his subordinate, who stated that tho
b. who had been confined there on the prcyic
id evening came too late to be provided foroon d
,is morning, but that they would have their allo
,is ance of coffee for dinner. He stated that
g- others had been provided for according to
X, der.
re, 1t may be proper 10 add that the prison'
or appearedtp be in good health, and by no meo
MS 50 reduced as their exposure and hardshl
ly would seem TO warrant. They even appear
= /. Il L la.t. haat tha off