The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1851-09-30

ed in forming junction with Lopez at Los
Posas, half an hour before his march r. ON that |
place. At the same honr that C,uienden was
attacked a, the hacienda, body Of the enemy |
eight hundred strong, under Gen. Emma, at.
tackled Lopez at Los Posss. After hard |
fight Of over two hours. the enemy retrealed,
leaving the Americans masters Of the field, and |
over two hundred Of their number, (among |
whom was several Of their highest oficers.) |
dead and wounued-lhe American loss being
10 killed, wounded and missing only about
thirty men, among whom Col. Downman and |
Lieut.. Labizan, were killed, and Geu. Frsgay |
and Captains Brigham and Gouti we've NOR
tally wounded. After The action the Spanish
wounded were brought in, and as well taken
care Of as circumstances would admit. Lopez |
rode entirely unarmed over the field, though |
the hottest Of the fire, occasionally applying a
red raw hide with great deal OF vigor, TO the
shoulders Of such men as he thought could be
hurried into firing little faster. On the NOR
ming OF the 18th, al 2 o'clock, Lopez marched
from T.os Posas into the mountain leaving
seventeen wounded Spaniards and thirteen OF
our side, all Of whom were bsyoneited by the
Spsniarjs, and their bodies piled 10 heap,
crossways at the foot Of hill.
Two days after, ION the l6th,) Lopez was
sgain attacked by 800 lancers and 600 infantry.
while encamped al hacienda which formerly
belonged to himself, but was confscaied some
three years since. Here the action lasted
from III 10 o'clock, on one OF the hottest
days l ever experienced. The enemy were again
compelled 10 retreat, with a loss Of 800 men;
and al the same moment that the retreat Of the
Spsnards in one direction was reported TO Lo-
peg, he issued an order to his own force to
retreat in The opposite, and actually. that day,
made forced march of l8 miles in FIVE hours,
over mountain road. On the l9lh, being
still 90 the mountains, we were overiahen by
severe rain storm, which destroyed the greater
portion Of our ammunition, sud rendered our
guns entirely useless. We eucsmped on the
evening Of that day, at rancho at the foot Of the
mountains. about two leagues from Bahia
Honda. We remained uodstuibed that night,
and were attacked just at breakfast time on the
morning Of the Goth, being taken by surprise,
the sentry on the outpost having left his post
to wash himself in a creek where he was killed.
Owing TO the unservicable condition of their
arms, the force unde Lopez was completely
routed, flying to the mountains 10 all dlrec-
tious-Lopez himself barely escaping on horse
back. with the loss of his saddle, pistols, spy
glass--of everything, ia fact, but what he wore.
That night he eucamped on top Of one OF the
highest mountaios OIL the island Of Cuba. ex'
posed TO all the violence Of q terrific norther,
It is impossible for me TO describe The suf-
ferngs Of that night. Heaven forbid that
ever pass such another. The rain fell 10 tor
rents, while ever and anon terrific clash
would announce that some massive tree had
fallen. either before the force OF the wind, OF
the still mightier lightning. That night
equalled an ordinary lifetime. On the evening
Of the 2ls,, having been forty y-eight hours with
out eating, we killed horse, which was divi-
ded among l25 men, who were all that now
remained with Lopez We wandered through
mountains, unable 10 extricate ourselves, SUB.
sisting on such leaves and roots as we could
find sntl midday Of Sunday the oath, when
we succeeded in reaching a road run
ming from Bahia Honda to San Cristobsl, a.
long which we advanced until nearly night,
when two Spanish lancers were discovered ad-
lvancing, but fled on seeing Us. A halt was
! Immediately ordered, and an examination made
of the state of our forces, which showed to-
tai Of 1875 men, 80 muskets. about 20 OF which
were servicabe. and about forty dry cartridges
Under this State OF affairs. II was deemed advi-
sable TO retreat, which was ordered, and pur-
suit commenced by the enemy, who lay in am
bush some few hundred yards in advance
with force Of 900 men. On the approach o
the enemy. the whole force Of Lopez sepaia
ted into small bodies. and dispersed through
everything which could cucumber them il
their nght-seven men only remaioing with
the General. A large number were overtaker
and Immediately killed. I, myself was one OF
party Of eight who had previously determin
ed on leaving Lopez, and attempting TO escape
from the island.
We remained in the mountains until th'
morning OF Tuesday, the 26th, when, haviol
had but one meal in six days. and feeling tha
we could bear it no longer, we determined &c
go into the plains considering that II would b'
better to be killed ough,righ than die lioger
ing death from starvation, which we ceftainl.
would do in the mountains.
We accordingly advanced to house where
we were treated with great dea. OF kindness
and received most excellent breakfast Al
arrangement was made TO procure a guide t.
, the south shore, with provisions, &c, and we
, were about 10 leave and conceal ourselves un
Ill night, when, IN the twinkling Of an eye. w
were surrounded by 200 armed countrymen
who Immediately bound us securely. and 10
verted our pockets. considering the content
lawful bunder. That day we reached Sal
Ciistobal. Until We reached San Cristobal WI
were under the impression that we were to b.
Immediately shot, our only consolation beinl
that we were to die with full stomachs.
On our arrival there we we're informed tina
' a proclamation ha 1 been issued ten hours be
fore our arrest, sparing the lives Of all fttebus
tros who were made prisoners, or gave them
a selves up, within four days, except that traito
r Lopez, after which. an order, dated. think
: the 9th Of April, 1850, 10y which all foreign
e ers found m the Island were 10 be put I
, death.) was to continue 10 full force, On IN
: 2Sth there being then forty-seven prisoneri
q we left San Cristobal for Havana; and ou FIJI
!, day night reached Guaymaos. the terminus
4 | a railroad from Havana. There an order wa
d received from the Captain General to procee
: to MareI, and embark, he being fearful thi
e the prisoners would be torn to pieces by To
I. rabble Of Havana. We reached Mariel on IN
n evening ofthe 30th and were embarked upo
d the steamer Almendcrs, to proceed TO Havan'
}. when an express arrived, bringing informat'o
l. Of the capture Of Lopez, and the steamer wa
l. delayed TO await his arrival, which took plac