The New York herald., 1869-06-27
Departure Of Patriot Expedition Last
Night Comprising 500 Men.
COLONEL RYAN IN COMMAND.
The "Fi'st New York Regiment Of Cuban
Volunteers Off for the Field.


certainly have been the severest blow TO the revolu
tionary cause that could possibly be sustained It
has cost months OF labor OF the most try
Ing ana arduous description, considering
the endorsements which have been thrown
In the way by the action Of over jealous
United States officials in this city by Quibbling,
knuckling executive officers at Washington, by spy.
ing jour nails in this city who were In the interest OF
Spain, and the ndiscretions OF few OF the actual
participants In the scheme. In addition to all these
obstacles hundreds OF thousands Of dollars have
been expended in the purchase Of about 5000
stands Of Remington breach-loadng rifles, two bat
teries Of artillery shot, shell and military stores the
vctuallIng and housing Of about 1000 men, and the
chartering Of not less than four vessels Of different
classes.
That such aid was actually despatched from this
city last night there the slightest doubt and the
writer Of this article has personal knowledge OF the
fact, and that the expedition Is OF larger proper
tlons, more complete outfit and equipment than all
other expeditions combined. ana about which so
much has been said and written, Is also beyond
question.
To come, however, to the facts. Yesterday was a
rather busy day at the various Cuban headquarters
or bureaus In this city, and during the afternoon
any one who had called at the different Offices
could not have failed to observe that all the more
prominent officials were absent from their accus-
toned desks and 1t was useless to ask for Senor
this or General, that or Colonel the other. Swarthy
and polite Cuban clerks and attaches replied 70 all
these interrogatories Gle Is notin" And yet every
thing was quiet and orderly. no furry or excitement
The officials to have acquired method In their
proceeding through the experience they have had IN
fitting out other smaller bodies Of recruits.
At the Casino In Houston street, at Cooper Hall,
Jersey CITY, and other places where the recruits have
been rendezvoused, some curious changes have
establishments were full and on the next only few
who appeared to be acting as guards. were present.
while the larger squads were nowhere to be seen.
This 1t is understood, was In consequence OF orders
issued as test to determine how many OF
the men would respond by their actual
presence when finally ordered out for en-
barkation and also to puzzle and bewilder
the Spanish spies and the United States Marshal's
deputies. From about two O'Clock yesterday after.
nearly seven O'CLOCK last night; the men were ieav-
ing in small squads OF from two to five, and sepa-
rating IN various directions. or rather IN all drec-
tions, and at halfpast SIX O'Clock scarcely man
was to be found at any OF the barracks,
dred Large numbers Of these small parties crossed
from New York by the Christopher, COrtandt and
Liberty street ferries to Jersey City and Hoboken,
well as by the Whitehall ferry to Staten Island.
Men stationed In Jersey City and HOboken reversed
this order OF things and came over 10 the New York
side and took passage to Staten Island. The move
ments were kaleidoscope In the extreme and had
the precise effect they were intended to haye IL was
conceived that these sporadic bands were TO be
assembled at given hour In three different local..
ties, to almost moment OF time in accuracy, and
thus embark under cover Of the night for their
thing larger than an ordinary travelling bag, or
ders had been issued that effect and some did not
even carry as much baggage as such receptacle
would contain.
SMALL STEAMER
the name OF which no one pretended to know. and
which those who were informed would not give
after being busy in the harbor at her accustomed
duties oil day steamed up into the shadows OF the
grand old trees that dot the Eysian Fields Off Hobo
ken about seven O'Clock, and came to q moorng 'for
the night" Shortly afterwards few men in groups
were seen to stroll iesurely up and after loungng
the pier and along the shore in
manner they as nonchalantly went on board the
vessel. some passing from the pier, while others,
taking small boats and sailing outside, passed up
small ladder which had been ''negligently' hung
over the outer bulwark Of the vessel. few curious
and were told ito the fishing banks" And
for an hour after darkness set In the cry.
About ten O'Clock all were on board, and the shore
was quiet save the ripple OF water on the beacn and
the dripping OF rain from the trees The night was
most propitiousy dark; the atmosphere, which mad
been heavy and murky all day, was now hazy and
semi-opaque with the drizzling shower and all on
board thought THAT, at least 80 far the weather
was concerned fortune mad indeed favored the brave
on this occasion. AT ten O'Clock the steamer had
got well out into the stream, and with the ordinary
signal lights winkng drowsily from the yards she
passed down towards the Battery. Everything was
very quiet on board quieter indeed, than the ferry
boats which she passed, and which buffeted the
water with their wheels like leviathans drowning.
As the unknown steamer got down opposite Trinity
Church, I III ntte , tqgoSas & propeller one OF the
In the daytime as though they felt 80 glad,n spurted
out from the foot OF Morris street, and falling
almost In the wake OF the larger vessel sped
close on her heels down past Bedoes Island and the
Robins Reef light when both vessels shut of steam
and lay to near Elm PARK, Staten Island the favor.
lie pleasure ground Here the little tugboat drfted
lazy on top OF the water while the larger steamer
went slowly alongside the pier aud a number OF
drawn out" manner as those who had been taken
on board at the Elysan Fields. when the
steamed almost noiseicssly through the Mar.
rows and down the Lower Bay and as she
passed near Quarantine station she slackened
speed, the little tug ran alongside and about twenty
persons assembled rope ladders TO the deck OF the
steamer. All was still, orderly and quiet on board.
and IN few minutes the tug turned her bow TO the
Nearly
EIGHT HUNDRED MgN
were on board OF her, banded together, enlisted to
fight the battles OF Cuban independence under the
name OF the "First New YORK regiment":
On her deck stood, front and foremost the dash
ing Union Army scout, Indian trailer ard general
fighter. wherever fighting Is needed, Colonel w. A.
cavaryman, Colonel Courier, Captain Anderson OF
Richmond, Va, and Dr. J. ;. Dorset, also OF Rich
mond. Va, and who goes out as medical director OF
the expedition. General Goiacari, OF NcaraguaR
nlibusterinp reputation, and an ardent and soldery,
though rather elderly, patriot. was reported
TO be among the number. The gentlemen just
named formed part Of the party who embarked on the
tug at the foot OF Morris street. they having all pre-
yously rendezvoused at the stevens House near
Bowling Green and within easy access OF the pier.
The embarkation Of the men nal been superln-
tended by number Of the less VIGOROUSLY known
Objects, tHOsc WuO nsu never Dccu ar
rested In this city, and who were consequently less
liable to be recognized by peeping officials from the
Marshals Office. At midnight the expedition was
fairly and clearly under way. No
ARMS OR AMMUNITION
of any kind, save few side arms, consisting
mainly Of revolvers, and about two dozen Keming-
ton rifles, were on board. Nor were there any stores
OF particular importance, beyond what the satchels
and carpet bags OF the men contained, and ra;ions
sufficient to suDsst the regiment for two days.
Colonel Ryan on last Friday personally informed
the writer, who has had several interviews
with him since his escape from the Dep
all the materici OF that description having been
shipped on board a vessel which sailed nearly two
weeks ago, and which is awaiting this expedition
at sea- The vessel referred TO Is, beyond DOUBT the
Quaker City, about which such rumpus was raised
by the United states authorities few weeks since.
IL will be remembered that the quaker City furnished
abundant proofs prior to her sailing about fort
night since that her cargo OF arms and stores were
uos IT, s a. III l w WI ~ .a,IIlt