Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-01-20
Cuba I'm Rcraps..rnterestinR Sketches
of HistOry-The Lone Isle by the

sea.
Cube has been a dependency of The
Spanish crown since 1911, when settle
ment was made. Down to that year
from the time Of it's discovery in 1892, il
remained in the hands of the natives
governed by nine caciques, who ruled
over as many independent principalities
in perfect unity. As soon as Spain
assumed domination, the policy began OF
extracting the most possible for the royal
treasury. The natives were mercilessly
treated and died by thousands No reg
ulsrly organized attempt to force revo'
luton was made until 1856. In that
year en- expedition was fitted out in the
southern parts of the United States to at
tempt to revelutionize the island. Mar
cisso Lopez was the commander. He
sailed on the Creole with six hundred
men on board, arriving at Yucatan about
the middle of May. The men were dis
embarked. Skirmishing ensued aud in q
few hours the town capitulsted. The in
vaders held their position during the day,
but embarked in the evening and sailed
away. The revolutiouists lost about
forty killed and wounded the loss of
the Spsniards was.much larger.
In the following year the filibustering
elements aggregated and made second
attempt. The rumor of the expedition
caused President Fillmore to issue proc
lamation warning the evil-disposed
against any violation of the neutrality
laws, and placing those who disobeyed
them beyond the protection or interposi-
ton of the Government. Nevertheless,
about four hundred men, under the COM
mand of Lopez, sailed for Cuba in Au-
gust, in the steamer Pampero. The ex-
pedition landed at Bahia Honda, where
they expected the inhabitants would join
them; but they we're disappointed.
General Lopez, with the main body,
proceeded into the interior, leaving the
baggage in charge of q small detachment
under Colonel Crittendeu. These were
attacked by asuperior force Of Spsnisrds,
and alter q desperate resistance, dis.
persed. Colonel Crittenden and fifty-one
men were captured while trying to reach
the boats. All were taken to Havana,
and summarily shot. Lopez was also
attacked by the Spanish troops. At first
be repulsed them with great slaughter,
but beiNg reinforced the Spanisrds re-
newed the fight, compelling the invaders
to disperse. Most of the latter we're
either captured or killed. Lopez was
also captured, sent to Havana, and put
10 the garrote.
Il is now known that this expedition
was undertaken with the full knowledge
and consent Of the Southern leaders. The
course of events in the United States was
not satisfactory to the Shareholders They
sought to wrest Cuba from Spain as an
auxiliary to the empire hey hoped TO
erect 10 the slave-holding States. There
vas a secret organization, looking to
southern independence and Cuban an-
lexstion, the latter to be first accom-
Hsrsin is the secret ofshat political
went, the nomination of Franklin Pierce
o the Presidency and his subsequent |
election. But TO Jefferson Davis, then
teeped 10 treason, Pierre Soule. Gideon
Pillow and General Goicouria, il was no
eerss The latter, it will be remem-
,sred, recently s'teueted to land an
Expedition 10 the Lillian. The plot was
eep laid.
Jefferson Davis dispatched General
fcClelIsn to Europe to witness the pro-
ress Of the Crinekn var aud gain al
be knowIedgs snd information possible
o prepare him for intended operations
ieDerAl RilloT bad su Interview With
rankin Pierce, ss also cid General