The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-21
THE CUBAN FILBUSTERS.
Grand Strategic Movement and Victory
by the Army of the HackenSack,
Moonlight Assault and Capture of
the Enemy's Position.
The Prisoners ParOled 'sOn
Their HONOR


ticuars Of the DISARMAMENT Of the remnant OF
IOoonei Ryan's command OF Cuban dlibusters on
Gardeners Island and their departure tberefrom,
together with the announcement that large man,
Der Of CubaDs had been rendezvoused IN large
building ON the outskirts OF Hoboken and on the
margin OF the Hackensack river, about four miles
from this city. While the report alluded to was
being put In type, Quixotie campaign Of the most
ridiculous description was progressing under the
moonlight in the vicinity Of that stronghold Of the
patriots, the forces engaged In the demonstration
being picked squad OF auout fifty United States
marines, under the Immediate command of MAJOR,
aoont fourteen United States seamen, in
charge of two enslgns Of the navy, ana a posse
OF twelve or fifteen deputy United States
marshals. The Army OF the Hackeusack,
It will be seen, numbered an aggregate offensive
force OF about eighty men, armed with government
weapons and in hight marching order. Theswagon
trans, in order that the movements OF the army
might not be subjected to the dangers which menaced
the ancient Roman battalions by reason OF their
great incumbrance with inlDedimeRtd, had been re-
duced to a minimum. and comprised q single
barouche, which was occupied by General Barlow
United States Marshal, who seemed 10 think that
General Santa Annals theory OF war at least wor.
thy OF emulation wherever practicable and car
rage was come-at-able.
The whole force OF marines and seamen vas
drawn from the Brooklyn Navy Yard, under
authority conferred upon General Barlow by a
special commission issued by the President few
days SINCE The deputies were drawn from their
homes, and the Marshal, as Commander. in Chief
was drawn in the above mentioned vehicle. The
men were embarked from the Navy Yard on board
a steam tender, at about nine O'Clock on Monday
night and the vessel shortly afterwards steamed
slowly around into The North river. Having reached
q point about midway between New York and
Jersey City the steamer clay ton for upwards Of an
hour, and the men on board were very naturally un.
der the impression that they were the
look out Tor a Cuban administering craft
wnlch 1t was hunted was about 10 sail.
the river nearly opposite WeehawSen Heigbts and
then dropped down to the Elysian Fields, where the
troops were nolselessly dsembarked. The soles OF
their shoes were padded with velvet to make their
tramp less martial but more catlike. No one spoke
above Whisper every mans heart was "In his
mouth and all the nckle pennies In the pockets OF
the blue coats and pants were ordered to be thrown
into the anywhere, FOR fear the 'clink" might
prohibited, and the men wore green shades over
their eyes, for fear the glitter OF their optics the
dark might be seen by the watchfui and wary
'.Cuhes,n One freshman, belonging TO the marines
was sent back because he mad habit OF thinking
aloud, and ne was deemed, therefore, UNSAFE.
Having reached terra hrna the entire force
beng Joined by General Barlow and his deputies
knelt in circle under the deep shadows grand
old trees the shore, the stars and Stripesn
unfurled aud the proud old colors dropped OF their
own accord, and as the night wind sighed through
the foliage overhead and the river gurged on the
pebbles OF the beach, each man raised his cap rever
emily and vowed a vow that whereas none but
Americans had any inherent right 10 strike for llbeI.
~ and Cuoans were not AMERICANS the lone starr
of the "ever faithful islen had no right to gmmer
even In Jersey, and must be squelched ere another
sun arose. noble Split bursting with patriotism
shrieked out ON the midnight air fou BET, and the
greatest CONSERVATION imneaateiy prevailed and for
TINE 1t was thought the expedition would
have 10 be abandoned. when the allusion
was made to the lone star OF Cuba, several billions
OF astral pcsets overhead winked at their compeers
the biue field OF the national nag, as though in
Wing them 10 leave such bad company, aud barely
limited that thlrty-seVen against tne none" one was
hardy fair play.
AS soon as order was restored the oath bound
host leaped to their Ieet anu tacity formed INTO
column, and at the words 'one, Two, three, 60"
marched of through the WOODS on tlptoe, TO the as
saulf over Two mics OF ragged Jersey roads the
gallant band stumbled ana holndered. ana threats
were made that II any men during the remainder Of
the march dared 10 kck tne toes against the clods
and stones, thus making noise and producing dis
order that might prove Iatai 10 the strategy drum
mead court mafuai Wouiu De MS ahuy convened
CwIthout the drum OF coursel and the offender would
be hamstruDg 1orthwlth Tne wisdom OF this policy
Immediately manifested ITSELF ana no more clod-
breaking was done during the eVeptlul night The
command then matted, WORD was passed In whisper
down the line that 'fororn hope" was called for,
and the whisper 1--WE come J" went back to the
chieftain as half dozen high-beatng breasts pro
Tuded themselves 10 tne lroht. An tne deputy
marHhals then advanced 10 the 'front.' also ana
handed a snp oil paper 70 the omcer on which
were read by starnRht the henceforth historic
waits US W The lines were written by some
Of the deputies, and considerable time was
coInuuieu III oeo'P,Ie. ins snS "Inns, as ioI
instance, the TWO nrst words were spelled as
single word OF Tour letters, &C. Inc 'forlorn nope"
then moved OF slowly, but with hrm step, and the
souvenirs they had left for their friends were sent
under strong escort to the rear.
In short time the main body TOOK up the line OF
march, perspiring and amentlng deeply the proba-
bic fate OF their comrades IN the advance and the
scarcity OF whiskey and tobacco In the rear. Gen
eral Barlow had a Few cigars along but he had
gone Ito the 'front.' IN ms carriage. Flankers and
skrmshers were thrown out, and alter another
weary march or ABOUT nan mile "a sontaryp
footman was seen returning from the ad
vance. lie brought dispatches stating that
the enemy mad been found strongly posted
IN frame mousse aboub 200 yards TINS
side OF Stehahy's moral PARK, near Tue
Hackensack river. NO sooner were the words
snoral park" uttered IMAM the uea OF VictOrs gar
lands suggested ltsell, ana was deemed proudy
suggestive OF the honors W oe won. Ihe reserve
was ordered to advance bat with caution as IL was
possible that slight fduJ pas might be productive
OF rretIlevaole disaster Tor the honor ana perpe-
tuity OF the UNION Vloratea Ia the balance ner-