Washington sentinel., 1854-04-22

upon which this fort stands that poor Critten-
den and his party were shot and matilated.
The Cubanas is q fortress situated on the
south of the Moro, and directly opposite the
city. 1t is perhaps the largest, as 1t certainly
is one of the strongest, fortihcations in the
world 1t was rebuilt, enlarged, and strength
ened, after its restoration by the British, at an
expense so enormous, that when the cost OF its
construction was made known to the King OF
Spain, he honestly asked whether the walls swere
made of silver.
This fort commands the whole harbor and
city, and is hardly O musket-shot distance from
the Moro, with which it is connected bya sub
terranean passage. Yet, notwithstanding the
number and strength of these defences,the city
Of Havana has been besieged and taken, though
not by "a single frigate" or any other mode OF
" storming Gibraltar with pocketpistol."
In 1862, during the war-with Spain, the
English, under Lord Albemarle, laid siege to
Havana, and took it, after desperate assault.
On the 9th of June of that year, the British
squadron, counting $50 vessels of all sizes, ap-
peared off the coast. The Spaniard had mount
ed their fortresses with heavy guns, and made
all necessary warlike preparations. They had
in the forts and city, of regular troops and
militia, 27,6l5 men under arms. The priests
and women were sent out of the city, and vast
preparations were made to stand siege
by laying in ample, supplies of provisions.
They sunk three ships in the harbors mouth
to prevent the entrance of the British fleet,
and their fortresses were defended with great
courage and valor.
The British land forces numbered l4,04l
men Of all arms their loss was very considera,
BILE, both by the climate and the desperate de-
fence of the enemy. The Cabanas soon fell
into the hands of the English, who approached
from the land side, having landed the troops to
the east of Havana. But it was not until A
days Of unwearied exertion, with loss to
the Spaniards of upwards of one thousand
men, that the Moro was taken. With the Mo-
70, 363 pieces of cannon, ii mortars, and a
large supply Of small arms and ammunition
fell into the hands of the English. Still, how
ever, the Spaniards bravely defended the city
but the English, who could now turn their own
cannon against them, demolished all their forti
fcation, and, after some slight delay in negotia
3ions, the city of Havana was finally taken pos
session of.
1t was Just two months and eight days from
the date Of the arrival of the expedition to the
day the British took possession of the city
With the capital there was given up the whole
territory annexed to it, extending $50 miles
westward so that this conquest was the mos
decisive of oil that had taken place throughout
the course of the war. 1t had besides all the
effect of a naval victory. Nine ships of the
line fell into the hands of the conquerors
Three had been sunk in the harbor; and two
far advanced on the stocks, we're destroyed
The loss to the Spaniards in ships Of war, mer
chant ships, money, tobacco, and other articles
of value, was.estimated at f3,000,000 sterling
On the return of peace in 1868. Havana wa;
restored to the Spaniards. The keys of tht
city were formally delivered up to the Condo
de Ricla, on whom the government had beer
conferred on the 7th Of July of that year, ane
the English garrison was embarked for Europe
Noble Register.