The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-10-15
% From the N. Y. Daily Times, Oct 8.
THE CUBAN EXPEDITION-INTER-
,H.' "p' STING INCIDENTS.

evening with Captain Robert Ellis, of
Washington, who was a member Of the
late expedition against Cuba, was caPtur-
cd and imprisoned after the last engage
ment between General Lopez and the
Spanish troops. and liberated by the cap
tain.general in time to take passage in the
Empire City Tor this port, where he arriv-
ed yesterday morning. Captain Ellis was
engaged in the original Cardenas expedi-
ton, as we'll as in every battle fought by
Lopez, and is therefore able to speak in
diligently Of the entire proceedings OF the
"liberators." lie is firm in the beliefthat
no nan in the expedition was more deceiv-
ed than Lopez himself. OF the desire on
the part Of the great mass Of the people
of Cuba for revolution he had not the
slightest doubt, But the most important
point Of the deception was that relative to
the actual condition. Of things upon The
island when the Pampero lett for the Gu.
ban shore. The vessel started from New
Orleans for Puerto Principe, via Key West
and St. Johns, Florida-at the latter of
which places was the artillery debarked
from the Cleopatra, and designed to be
used by Colonel Clittenden's corps. Upon
their arrival at Key West, the citizens who
were interested in the proposed revolution
assured them most positively that the en-
tire island Of Cuba was in arms, and that,
land where they would, they might be sure
of finding the patriots in numbers suffi-
Gent to overpower all resistance. ready to
receive them with open arms. So conf
IDENTIFY were these assertions made, that
the expedi,ionists were completely deceiv-
ed by them, and desired TO land at the
earliest moment, in order TO be in season
for participation in the strife and the tri-
unph. Upon consultation it was thought
unnecessary to lose two days by running
up TO St. Johns for the artillery, especial
" as, in the supposed state Of affairs, they
would be entirely unnecessary. 1t was
then determined to run direct from key
West to the nearest point on the Cuban
coast: and in accordance with that deci-
sion Bahia Honda was made. Here ap-
pears TO have boon the grand error OF the
entire transaction. BY leaving the artil-
lery behind, a strong arm of the force was
abandoned, as Crittenden. with his guns
posted in the mountains. could have held
a long siege against almost any number
of the Spanish troops. Again, 1t is tire
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 transpir-
ed during his imprisonment. 1t will read
lily be perceived that the landing at an en-
tirely unexpected point was calculated to
disarrange all preconcerted plans for the
rising of the population, if any such ex-
isted. Still again: the formation Of that
part Of the island upon which the landing
was effected is such that the invading
forces were posted upon a narrow PENN
sula from which they could not escape, as
the large bodies Of troops sent against
them from Havana were enabled to stretch
a line from that city across this neck Of
the peninsula. This arrangement of the
spanish IOTCe was OF course dISO eleCliFe
in preventing the patriots joining. Lopez
from their strongholds, and was quite suffi-
cient TO intimidate the few country people
in the vicinity of the invaders from joining
the forces Of the latter. Capt Ellis de-
MES the statement that the country PEG.
Pile joined in the attack and pursuit Of the
'.liberators." On the contrary, they treat
ed them with the greatest kindness. tits
true that Lopez was captured by band
Of peasants. after all was lost. In view
Of the enormous price set upon the head
Of Lopez, he thinks this fact is no evidence
of the absence Of a disposition on the
part of the country people to revolt. Hem.
med in on every side by the sea-shore and
an overwhelming opposing force, nothing
remained for the expeditiohists but defeat;
and as no quarters was expected by them,
their only chance was to hold out 10 the
last moment in hope Of reinforcements
from seward. Capt. Ellis speaks in the
highest terms Of Lopez's bravery, but does
NOT consider him as having possessed the