The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-09-11

The following letter, the last that the gallan
CRIrTENDEN ever wrote, has been handed to The
New Orleans Crescent for publication:
SHIP oF-W WAR EspERAkzA,
August Is, 1851.
| DEAR LUcIEN I'm half an hour |, with fifty
Others, am to be shot We were taken prison
ers yesterday We were in small boats Gen.
Lopez separated the balance of the command
from me. had with me about one hundred
was attacked by two battaions of infantry and
one company fhorse. The odds were too great,
and strange to tell, was not furnished with a
single musket cartridge. Lopez did not get anv
artillery. have not the heart to write to any
OF my family. 1T the truth ever comes out, YOU
Will hnd that did my duty, and have the per ect
confidence OF every man with me- We had
retired from the field, and were going to sea, and
were overtaken by the Spanish steamer Haba
nero, and captured. Tell Gen. Huston that his
nephew got separated from me on the l3th-day
OF The highland that have not seen him since
lie may have struggled off and Joined Lopez.
who advanced rapidly to the interior NV peo-
pie, however, were entirely surrounded on every
side. We saw that we had been deceived GROSS.
ly, and were making for the United States when
taken. During my short soourn in this island,
| have not met single patriot. We landed
some forty or fifty miles to the westward of this.
and am sure that in that part of the Island 90
PEE has no friends. When | was attacked.
Lopez was only three miles off, If he had not
been deceIving us as to the state of things he
would have fallen back with his force and made
night, instead Of which he marched immediately
to the interior. | am requested to get YOU to
tell DIR. Green, of the custom-house. that his
brother shares my fate. Victor Kerr is also
tyI ..la IL Il
your acquaintance at present | will die like
man. My heart has not failed me vet, nor do
believe 1t will. Communicate with nv family.
This is an incoherent letter, but the crcum
stances must excuse it, My hands are swollen
TO double their Il ickness, resulting from having
them too tightly corded for the last eighteen
hours Write to John, and let him write to nv
mother. | ain afraid that the news will break
her heart. My heart beats warmly towards her
now.
Farewell. My love to all my friends. am
sorry that ! die owing cent, but il ia newt
able Yours, strong in heart,
w. L. CRlTTENDEN.
To DR.. LUcTEN HENsLEY.
ANOTHER LETTER FROM ONE OF THE CUBAN
VTcuMs.-The following letter we find in The
Natches Free Trader of tho 9th inst. from
young freshman of that city--one of the sacri-
feed
"1he letter below Is from Patrick O'Rourk, TO
his poor widowed mother and sisters living in |
this city. lie was brave and chivalrous youth |
who never feared danger. His distressed
mother and three sisters are left TO mourn his |
untimely death:
HAVANA, Saturday Aug. 16, 1851.
Ny dear Mother and Sisters My day is !
come at last, We were taken yesterday on
the coast of Cuba by a Spanish steamer and
we are to be shot In an hour from this time
hfty of us in all. ] have TO say it is my own
doings.
For Gods sake pray for me- an tell Father
Raho to do so too. have made my confession to
a Spanish priest May God bless you and
keep his eye ON you Farewell, dear mother
farewell, dear sisters--Maria, Margaret and
Kate. Bat my last words are, may the Lord
nave mercy on my soul; and | hope to see Won
II in heaven, with my father
Your aflectionate son and brother.
PATRICK ORouIK"