The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-01-15
PRIVATE AND DIRECT rxoM CUBA
PROGRESS OF THE REvoLuT1oN- STATEMENTS o.
THE OTHER SIDE.


Private advices received by the Times repre-
sent the Cuban insurrecton IN very different
light from the accounts furnished through the
press and telegraph at Havana. The last infor.
nation received from Cespedes, the revolutionary
leader, represents him at the head Of column of
ten thousand men, marching on Trinidad and
Santa Espiritu, by which movement he intends
fanking Puerto Principe, which can then be re-
duced at leisure. Owing TO the bad roads in that
section of the island IL will take ten days for
him to reach the point of operations. His troops,
although but indiferenty armed, are full of en-.
thusiasm and confident of success.
letter from him was received In Havana on
the 4th inst. by the Liberal Junta, in which he
promises to water his horses in the river which
supplies that city within the next sixty days. The
revolutionary army in the East now numbers, en-
tire, about 900, and expects to swell to 100 900
upon the capture of Trinidad Villa Clara and
Santa Esperitu, toward which Cespedes' column
is now moving. Santiago de Cuba, with a gsrri-
son Of 500 Spanish troops, is closely invested by
COCO rebels, who have succeeded in eating of en-
tirely all supplies of water and provisions. Puer-
TO Principe also closely invested, its fall being
regarded as merely question Of time. Accord
ing to the last information received, at least
hundred and fifty leagues of the eastern part of
the island is entirely under domination of the re-
volutionists. The government at Havana expert
ences the greatest difficulty in procuring rein
forcements. The number arriving with Dulce
being only aboutfour hundred instead of as many
Der recently sent to Nuevtas, recruited in Havana,
did not reach that figure.
The prisons in and around Havana are crowded
with prisoners, all of whom are treated with
great kindness and forbesrance. Nc executions
have taken place up to the present time. Lead
ing and well known sympathizers with the move
ment are permitted TO remain at large IN Havana,
being merely subjected TO police supervision.
This treatment in itself, different to tradition
airy Spanish usage, has inspired the people, not
only with brilliant hopes of ultimate success but
confirms the idea that the instruction is much
more formidable than the government dare admit
Cespedes, the Washington of young Cuba, Is rep
resented extraordinary man. He comes Of
an old and wealthy family, the Armas y Cespedes,
and until recently was prominent prscticing
lawyer In Havana.
The revolution broke out in September last,
while he was on visit to one of his two estates
at Bayomo, of which province he is q native. He
is about forty years of age, Of good admins
trative abilities and determined courage and al
though destitute of military education, has since
shown himself by no means wanting in the best
soldierly qualities. The second in command, DR..
Aguillsr, previous TO these events, was practic-
ing physician. The revolutionary army is already
considered quite large enough in numbers to effect
its object, and s bad of in the way OF artillery
and small arms-more than FIVE thousand of the
troops in the extreme east being destitute even to
a pocket knife.
Our informsnts DO not seem TO attach much i'm
portance TO the delegation recently dispatched by
project was in contemplation by Lersundi, who
was informed by one of them, senior Betancourt,
that any other proposition than one embracing the
independence of the Island would be entirely fu-
tile that Gen. Duce has been more successful in
securing their services is probably due to the fact
that they cannot help themselves on account of
their families and possessions being in Havana,
and in consequence. at his mercy.
Republican Cuba first spoke to the world of ma
tons on the I'D ult., from battery on of the
hills overlooking Santiago de Cuba. An American
man-ofwar arriving in that port was saluted by
the besieged Spanish troops, and afterwards re-
ceived a salute Of twenty-one guns from the in.
surgents. The Havana papers refer to the event
as one of unparalleled impotence, but 1t has con-
tributed no little to increase the enthusiasm Of the
revoutonists in that city. Havana Ia stated to be
ripe for revolt, but lacking leaders. The total
number OF troops now on the Island are estimated
as under thirty thousand but they all admira-
bly, disciplined and in possession Of abund Ant war
material. II Cespedes meets with no serious re-
verse during the next few weeks, or no measures
of compromise be effected il is thought general
uprising in every portion of the Island will take
place.
Should this information, which comes direct
though entirely through revolutionary source,
Prove correct, stirring times may speedily be
his only concession protectorate by Spain over
the independence Of the Island.
Among other good qualities OF Cespedes his
humanity is highly landed. and his conduct in
voluntarily releasing Gen. Lersundi's nephew up
on the eve Of the formers departure for SPAIN
has tended largely TO elevate his character, both
in the eyes Of friends and foes.
Our informants desire rs to notify their friends
In the United States that reliance can be placed
upon the statements of the Havana press or tele-
graphic cable, both of which are under strict
governmental supervision.