The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-10

men, ano particularly ny prominent nobleman
distinguished for his attachment to the cause OF
freedom. BY this noblemsn Nina was made ac-
qusinted with General Scott, Of the United States
army. then on visit TO England. He was also fur
nished with ship arms and military stores by some
English gentlemen attached to the Of freedom,
Cenable him to prosecute enterprise he had been
me time meditstmg against the Spanish province
Mexico. as the quarter whence the most severe
bw could be struck against the tyranny o. King
rrdinand Nina, in drawing his sword in favor OF
the independence OF Mexico, considered he was
espousing cause consonant with those principles
Of liberty for which he became an exile from his
native land. Power and place might have beeu ms
IL he had chosen to float in the eddy court favor
but his character and principles forbade him. De
fested in his attempt to uphold the Cortes and the
cause OF Spanish freedom in Europe, he devoted
himself to the cause OF liberty in America.
Nina had originally intended to proceed
direct 10 the Mexican coast conceiving that
the inhabitants generally would rise 10 his
favor; but altering his plan in consequence
OF part of his designs in Europe being frustrated,
and some information that he received, he sailed
from England for Chesapeake Bay in the month OF
Ma, 1876 accompanied by thirteen Spanish aud
Italian and two English officers. After passage o!
fortysix days the ship arrived in Hampton Roads.
The General disembarked at Norfolk. whence he
proceeded to Baltimore, where the ship arrived on
the Sd of July. Nina here made an arrangement for
fast sailing brig, pierced for guns and purchased
artillery military stores, clothing, &c for his army.
The ship was prepared for passengers, and Nina
visited Philadelphia and New York, where several
Americans and Europeans volunteered their services
and offered to accompany him. He was not DESTROYS
OF auCmentng his force except rs TO officers, being
under the impression as before remarked, that he
would be joined by the natives on landing in Mexico.
He learned that the patriots in Mexico who had
risen against the royal government, maintained
strong guerrilla forces, and that small fortress near
Vera Cruz was held by the patriot general, Guada-
Iupe Victoria.
On the 2Sth OF August, 1916, the ship having
cleared for St. Thomas took board about two hun
dred passengers, under the direction of Colonel
Count de Routh. Nina remained to go in the brig
which was not ready. and the ship ordered TO
proceed to Port Prince there 10 await the arrival
of the General. The ship left the Capes Of Virginia
on the lst OF September in company with schoon-
er which had been hired by Nina, having on board
a company Of artillery, under Colonel Myers. The
brig being ready for sea, General Nina and his staff
embarked and sailed froIp Baltimore on the 9th of
September. During his stay ia that city the sim
pcity and modesty Of his demeanor, the honesty of
his transactions and his youth and gentlemauly de-
pertinent gained him the esteem and sympathy of a
considerable portion of its society,
On arriving at Port au Prince Nina was received
with attention by Potion, then President Of Hayt,
who afforded him every assistance in his power. The
expedition sailed from Port Prince, and effected
landing at Galveston, in Texas.
Among the American officers under Nina, were
Colonies Young and Perry, both Of whom had been
distinguished in the service Of tie United States.
Both these officers lost their lives ID Mexico during
this campaign. The attention Of General Nina was
directed 10 the organization OF his regiments at Gal
weston. Officers were appointed to the different
corps which it was expected would be filed up.
Soon after the descent was made. Commodore Aury.
who held commission in the service of the Mexican
patriots as Governor Of Texas and General in the
amy, had force of two hundred troops under him
at Galveston for the invasion Of Texas; but he de.
clined uniting with Nina. Colonel Perry. who com
manded body Of one hundred Americans under
Aury determined TO quit the service of the latter,
and join Nina, which he did, after quarrel with
Aury.
Nina having himself visited New Orleans on bust
pess embarked his small force Of about three hun
dred men IRON Galveston for Soto la Marns. at
the mouth Of the river Santander. where 8
landing was effected on the 18th OF April,
1el7. printing press was established and
abe Generals manifesto published. About two
hundred natives in few days afterwards joined
the army Of Nina; among these were two royalst
Cficers Colonel Perry. the American officer we
have mentioned, and who was at the battle OF New
Orleans. became dscontented with Mna's prospects
and movements. and, with fifty Of his men, left the
invading army with tle intention Of returning 10 the
UEited States. He marched along the coast towards
Matagorda, where he expected TO meet boats for q
conveyance. Near Ma,agorda he fell IN with body
OF two hundred Spanish cavalry. The Americans
comhatted against this superior force until every
man on their SIDE killed except Perry. The
Colonel then put pistol TO his own head and termi-
mated his existence,
THIS movement Of Perry is very similar 10 .hat Of
Crttenden, who left Lopez on hi. second expedition
with the same number Of men and endeavored 10
set back to the United States IN boats. lie was
captured A. sea and executed, with all his men. al
Havana. The end Of Perrys career relninds Us OF
that Of Col. Pragay, who also died 10y his own nand
In the way. rather than fail into tie hands Of
the II anisrds. Col. Pragay, Il will he remembered
wa Hungarian. and one Of the leaders 81 the Ill
fated expedition 81 Cuba under Lopez and II IL said
put An end q his LIE 10 avoid icing taken prisoner
by the enemy
on the oath Of May 1917. with the small force Of
oaly three hundred and eight men, General Nina
commenced his march frOm Soto Ia Marina FOR the
Interim 81 the country. The spirit OF independence
which before this was greatly on the wsne, now
renewed On the sth Of June Nina encountered a
body OF the royallsis and routed them he
continued his march with npidity, and
gained another victory greatly superior force
On the 18Th Of june. In this action the patriot lead
er proved himself 20 lie sklful a. he was brave,
and acquired the highest conf lcncc q his followers
IN this engagement which was called the battle Of
Peotilcs lac had only one hundred and seventy men,
while the enemy had seventeen hundred Of whom
eleven hundred were cavalry. hna's loss in killed
and wounded was fifty six men. Had he after this
action q thousand instead OF the small hand Of 70
Teipners he commanded, IL believed that he
might have marched directly on THO city Of Mexico.
Amer thirty DAYS march, during which his army had
gone over distance 81 two hundred and twenty
leagues Nina reached Sombrero, fortress OF tue
patriuts where be was warmly welcomed. The NUN
Der be had with him when he reached this place was
200. Of whom twenty-five were wounded. The pa