New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-05-31

lFRoM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
RAY or NIPE. May 12.--In the midst Of the hurry
and hustle of our landing, the excitement OF the
anticipated fight, the joy of our success, and the
apprehensions aroused by the unexpected discovery
that the Spaniards inland are prepared for u.s.
hasten to tell you that the expedition of the PeTTt
Ias thus far been favored with the most
signal good fortune. We came in here boldly
in broad daylight, and dropped anchor In
this superb harbor at meridian yesterday. Not
Spanish cruiser was to be seen, but, to our no slight
surprise small Spanish redoubt surmounted by the
flag of SPAIN stood prominent upon point of land
further in on the shore of the bay i'll full view of our
anchorage and as it seemed to us, only little be-
yond our range. If the Spanish commander possesses
either force enterprise and above all if ne pos
sesses BOTH he will yet give serious trouble; but
we have so far been entirely unmolested. With
rather scanty means of debarkation for so large
a cargo of arms and munitions and heavy ordnance
we set to work to go ashore. Happily, we had de-
tachment of Americans and Europeans stout men
and soldiers in late wars These and the Cubans
worked together with emulation, and with so hearty
good WILL that by IN the morning we had
landed half our cargo. As have said not cruiser
was to be seen, not even sail as we entered the
harbor, but the night before a Spanish war vessel
had unquestionably passed near us, hunting for us
in the crooked island passage. 1t therefore de-
termined to send the ship to sea again before
daylight to return tonight to complete the
discharge of our cargo if the coast were clear
This morning, however, the apprehended cruiser
did not appear; but in the afternoon before her ap-
pointed time, and to our great delight our own YES
sell the Perrit returned, always ready, and the mo-
ment she had let go her anchor again all hands re-
sumed work in the discharge of the cargo with re-
newed vigOr l am now happy to say that by
o'clock the morning of the 18th we shall be able
to let the vessel 60 and start inland We shall then
have on shore arms and munitions Of war-including
10 pieces of artilleryfor force of 5000 men. 1t is
needless to say, therefore, how important to the
Cubans must be the effect of our landing; how vast
the issues that depend upon the movements of the
next IS hours.
The bay of Nipe is the grandest natural harbor
ever saw. 1t has entrance scarcely half mile
wide and so deep that il is without bar Inland
it widens out into a broad. Deep land-lOcked bay
penetrating far into the island. 1t has been admra-
bly, adapted by the hand of nature, for great
mercc but nothing has as yet been done
by men to profit by its advantages, for the
country hereabout seems almost unlnhab-
tied. Immediately in the neighbOThOod of
landing there are several cultivated places with
huts but all deserted. The fields are green with
corn tobacco. and vegetables and fruits but there
are no traces of very recent habjtatOn, and not n
soul have We seen since our advent This last might
seem inauspcious but the fact is it was not known
that We were to land here, and hence no one at
hand 20 welcome us. We have sent out scouts TO
make our arrival known to the nearest insurgent
chief, and to collect means of transportation. Ihls
last in region so scantIly populated, will take time
and we shall have to stand at guard over our
precious charge We shall have need for abundant
endurance, and possibly some stout fighting from
the redOubt which stands in front of us; but we
have good men, veterans. and the Cuban element
of expedition is ardent enough, and although
fresh soldiers to be steadied by American
and European supports.
Never was an expedition more indebted to sheer
downright good fortune for success than ours. The
PERT was SO slow that even had we encountered a
single cruiser we must have been captured; and it is
almost absurd to with what impunity she mas been
permitted approach this coast and enter this harbor
on tive successive days in broad daylight and land
so large a cargo, right in the face and
almost under the guns of the Spanish fort. write
you ia EXTREMIST haste. The hours are big with the
events. The expedition is full of feverish and i'm
petuous life. We anticipate shard fighting, but we
feel that whether we succeed fail. the cause Of
Cuban independence is sure to triumph. Neyerthe-
less for the present, this little expedition this
lonely landocked harbor. before this Spanish fort,
carries on it, bayonets the cause of Cuban ndepen-
dence.
shall write by every opportunity, but to speak in
military parlanee, " Our column is ia air" We have
abandoned communications, and it may be days be-
fore shall be able to get letter to you again by
a tTuSty messenger. AK
THE SPAEIARDs DEFEATED BY THE FILIBUsTERs
WITH HEAVY LOSS.
Telegraphic correspondence from Havana at date
of 9th says "On the 10th inst the Spanish war
steamer Marsella entered the Bay of Npe and w0s
received with a sharp fire from the artillery. TWO
shots took effect in her hull compelling her TO with
draw. She then went TO the port of Manati, and OBJ
tanned force of soldiers and in company with the
Spanish gunbOat Africa returned TO the Bay Of Npe
After several shots had been exchanged between The
steamers and the shore batteries several hundreds
of Spaniards were landed, and, making a detour TO
the rear took possession Of the guns which the fill
busters bad been compelled to abandon. The insur
gents meantime had only retired for the purpose of
reforming That done they returned in force, made
brilliant charge with the bayOnet TetOOk all the
guns and compelled the Spaniards to retreat in dis
order with loss of 45 killed and 100 wounded The
spanlards saw 10 cannon unmountcd in addition to
the eight pieces already in position. Foreigners led
the attack and composed large part of the insur
gent force. Ihe Spaniards captured Prussian and
instantly shot him.
TiiE FIIItRusTVpo s,..-. . "A