Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-07-13

IN the charge of his uncle, a mer.
chant in Havana. At the ACE OF
fifteen, young Mendez was sent TO
ISpain to be educated. Here he re-
NAMED for nearly two years, con.
tinually in trouble with his teach.
ers and fellow-pu on account Of
ms political views. His career cul-
minated here in duel with the son
of a Spanish Cabinet Minister whom
ne ran through the body, killing
MN instantly. He. escaped almost
by a miracle, and shipped as q com.
mon sailor on board an East India
man, then lying temporarily for re-
pairs at Cadiz. Leaving the vessel
at Calcutta, he obtained a position
In Spanish commercial house. but
soon firing of that, he enlisted into
the British army, several regiments
OF which were then stationed in and
near Calcutta. A year later his reg
iment was sent to England, and
from thence to Canada.
Tired of the army, he deserted
and made his way over the line
into Maine, and in December, 1874,
he reached the city of Boston.
Finding several of his countrymen,
he concluded to remain there, and.
assisted by them, he commenced as
a teacher of the French and Spar
lsh languages in young ladies'
academy in Pemberton square.
Having an alteration one night l. 4
front of the fremont House with a .
Spanish hairdresser, he stabbed
him, and fearing the consequences
fed to New York. Here he was ar
rested, but when being taken back
he sprung from the car platform in
the pitchy darkness of a rainy
night, breaking an arm and two
ibis. He managed to escape how
ever, and by means of fishing
schooner got to Nantucket, where
he stayed until he recovered from
his injuries. Shortly after, the
Cuban excitement broke out, and
allying himself to a party Of fill
busters, he at last landed on his
native soil, after an absence of |
nearly ten years. In a skirmish a
few days after, he was taken prison
er, and with several others, was
shot down without ceremony. With |
two bullets in his body and another
embedded in his right leg, he vet |
retained sufficient life to crawl out
Of the heap of dead where he was
cast during the night, and with the
aid OF a sympathizer found refuge
and shelter until his wounds were
healed. .-...
Six months later we find him
again in this country, but in New
Orleans. From there he went to
california, and in 1853 sailed for
Japan, was shipwrecked on the
passage, and spent little more |
han year among the barbarians of |
! cluster of islands north of the
known as the Bashes
Islands. After his rescue he re-
.urned to New Orleans, where he re-
NAMED until 1861, at which time the
var breaking out he went to New
York, raised company of Cubans
md Frenchmen, was commissioned |
Is Captain, and did good service in
he field, rising to a Colonelcy be,
ore the close of the war. He
;asted of the horrors of Libby and
Andersonville; was shot twice
'nce through the shoulder and once
through the right arm; lost two
myers by sabre cut on a cavalry
aid, besides having been blown up
~ the explosion of a mine near
in 1865. One can well
that he is zone of the few,
he immortal ones, who were not
,orn to die"
Since the commencement of hos.
ilities in Cuba he has been exceed
ngly active in raising men and
money, and has actually visited
cuba twice, with vessels bearing
rms and volunteers, getting safely
way again. He was with Col.
Ryan on the last expedition, which
,ame to grief the first of the week.
lie landed at New London on Tues
lay night with nearly hundred
men, who scattered at once-some
'eturning to New York, and the
others where their fancy led them.
For several reasons we do not need
20 recount, Col Mendez came to
his city, where he will probably
remain for the present. |