North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-09-13
Gil r A..

Lopez sailed with about 4SO men; that he landed
about forty miles from Havana, and fought his frs
battle on the 18th August that Crittenden's com
mand, with the baggage, LEFT in the rear, and be
came fatally separated from the main body that sew
eral battles took place afterwards that Crittender
! and his men were captured and executed; and that
finally, Lopez with some 200 men, was surprised
while breakfastng and his forces dispersed. The
forces thus dispersed, wandered about until they
were hunted down by blood-hounds, or other
wise captured and Lopez was taken by him.
self, having been betrayed by Creole, it is
said, while sleeping. 1t appears, further, that the
Creoles did not join the standard of the patriots,
as il was expected they would do; and they were
thus left, in strange country, to contend single
handed with thousands Of Spanish troops 1t is also
stated, but whether on good authority not
say, that the Captain-Genera of Cuba was well
advised as to the movements of the patriots at New
Orleans; that he knew of the sailing of the Pampero
in advance, and had employed persons in Cuba to
open correspondence with Lopez, under the guise
of patriots, who promised him assistance, but who
of only refused to unite with him. but aid
ed in crippling and betraying him to his foes.
The last Washington Republic contains what pur-
ports to be account of the Lopez expedition, as
narrated by his followers, which received the
Navy Department on the 9Th instant, in despatch
from Commodore Plat, of the sloop-of-war Albany,
who was permitted by the Captain-General to visit
the captured patriots in prison at Havana We give
extracts from this despatch as follows:
"Ertrnct from despatch tn the Nary Department from
Commander CHARLES T. PLArT, Commanding
United States ship Albany, dated Havana, Septen-
Der l.
The followers CT Lopez having been entirely dis
persed and number of prisoners reported as brought
to this place the 9th utmo, l addressed letter
TO the Captain General requesting permission hold
an interview with any Americans who might be a.
mong them. This permission readily accorded
in reply, which is enclosed. The interview was
until the morning of the Both, the prison.
ers having in the time been transferred to the
castle of the Punta,'' and some accessions having
been made to their number. The comnandant of the
castle informed me that the whole number of pris-
oners was y-seven, of whom about thirty or thirty
five were Americans, as we learned from themselves.
This officer present throughout the interview. |
Another gentleman, who was introduced as inspector
of prisons, came in during its continuance and re-
ironed, clad in prison uniform, and had their
hair closely cut They were confined in an arched
gallery, to which access had through two grated
doors, the inner being entirely of iron. In the
little ante-room between the two doors lay the gar
ments worn by the prisoners at the time of their con-
fnement.
The information obtained was given in the presence
Of the entire party by the officers. and being
adiced by any of them, may be regarded as the tes
timony OF the whole.
They stated that the expedition sailed from New
Orleans in the steamer L" Pampero.'' They were not
sure of the exact number composing it, but thought
four hundred and eighty that it certain
y did not amount to five hundred Before landing
n Cuba they anchored near Key West, where they
emained several hours, and visited by some
citizens of that place. They landed in Cuba about
wo o'clock of the morning of the 18th August. Their
rst ght took place the 18th. From that period
hey had lost all recollection of dates. They had
i've engagements, but could not tell how many of
hsir number had been killed. They were armed
Individuals had revovers and knives. They brought
With them eighty thousand cartridges. and captu red
many more after landing. They had no artillery.
loon after landing they found they had been deceived
nformed. before sailing, that fourteen were in
ossession of the "patiiots, Ito their own Ian
uage,) and that the whole island was in state of
evolution. They suppose that the fifty cap :
lred with Colonel Crittenden endeavoring to
rake their escape. They infer from the fact tina
hey were all dispirited by the reception they met
With, and dsgusted as they said with the lies and
eception" practised towards them. The country F.,
eople generally fled at their approach, and none
oined them. Worn out with hunger and fatigue
he men composing this body threw away their arms
week or ten days previously-they could not dis a
nctly remember when. They had not at that time
card of the offer of life to such would give them
elves up, but their intention to throw themselves
pom the mercy of the Spanish government. They Z
t different times. They had subssted chiefly upon
rult, and the last meat that of them had eaten
vas portion Of their generals horse. There was
o lack of ammunition when they threw away their
rms, though much of what they brought had been
amaged by rain. Lieutenant Order stated that he
arrled musket, though an officer, ard that he had
Uenyeight rounds of cartridges in his box when he
lrew it away.
On being told that General Lopez was taken pris-
ner. cry ofjoy and exuitaon through the crowd
They stated that Lopez chief to the expedition
Colonel Dowseman was second in command, and I
7as killed on the 18th.
Colonel VIM. Scott Haynes, of Tennessee, was
mother leader. According to their best belief he was
till in the mountains. ,
Colonel Critenden had been an officer of the Uni
I'd States army during the war with Mexico.
A Hungarian named Pragay, who acted as Adju-
INT General, was MORALLY wounded on the 18th. I
1t Is matter OF regret that imperfect narrative
as been obtained from these unfortunate men. In
ne excitement of the moment, many would speak
once and to some questions it was difficult to get
satisfactory answer, account of the eagerness of
II to give it. ..
At the request of the commandan of the CASTLE the
rlsoners were asked if they had had the benefit OF
'Ped that they had. They also asked if they !
ad been provided with two meals day. and wheth- s
they had bread and coffee for breakfast. Some
aid that they had; but others replied that they had
D coffee. The commandant Immediately inquired l