New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-07-16
Especial Correspondence of the Republican
LETTER FROM HAVANA.


tanned a curiosity of learning somewhat
more in detail than is given in the meagre
intelligence by telegraph the present situa-
ton of the Cuban question, and the pur-
poses of those engaged in the struggle for
independence. 1t was interesting indeed
to find what caution and hatred are mixed
up in the social status of the Cuban patriot.
Havana is rendezvous for spies and cut
throats of loyalty and barbarism. The
Spaniard proper regards everything and
every body with suspicion as evidenced by
the reports which the hirelings of the au
thories spread about our ship-black vomit,
yellow fever, etc., were but weak argu-
ments indeed to prevent our people from
enjoying few hours ashore.
AS an instance of the suspicion with
which the government agents surround
themselves, we need only mention one cir
cumstance during our stay. A'custOmhouse
officer, while descending leisurely into the
cabin, had the misfortune of missing his
foothold, and slid gently down stairs. His
horror of the situation awakened the Old
instinct of cruelty and cowardice, and in
duced him 70 snatch his pistol from his
bosom to attack the supposed assailant; and
while his face was livid and his terror ex-
cited, we could only turn away in disgust.
This one instance, while it excited the
laughter of the bystanders, created con-
tempt against him which could not well be
forgotten.
Ten days ago from date fifty blOodhOunds
were detailed as instruments OF the powers
that be to proceed from Havana and awake
the patriots in their wild mountain homes.
We give this upon the best authority upon
the island, although it has not been made
an item in the daily dispatches. The party
who informed your correspondent has tine
best possible information, and it is only
upon his official integrity that we place re-
liance-being a plenipOtentiary extraordi-
nary-from our gracious country.
As we steered out, our curiosity was
awakened by taking on board an emaciated
specimen of Young America, who, pale,
sickly and hmping, drew every eye upon
him. Soon we discovered the real char
acter of the unfortunate and with ready
pencil, we present below verbatim report
of what his history was;
Nv name is H. H. Harrison. lieutenant.
/ sailed from New York in the Upton expe-
dition, in May, 1870, and landed on the
coast of Tunis, where the arms and ammuni-
ton were landed. On the twenty-third of
Nav while vet at sea, the Spaniards came
in sight with four vessels, but we succeeded
in landing and pitching camp about half
mile of We had little fight with them,
but the men behaved badly, broke, and
were scattered around in the swamps. We
then collected what force remained, and
marched back through the country, in the
vicinity of st. Vicentegearice, where we were
overtaken by the Spaniards, who succeeded
in capturing the arms, ammunition and
everything. Afterward our men went
into the interior of Caraguay to Marie
guen, and thence some of us to
the camp of General Ryan, who placed me
upon his staff, and in which position l re-
NAMED until he lett the island at the end
of July. We had pretty good force then
small, but well disciplined, and surprised
the Spaniards at Carasco, ambuscading
them Just outside of Principe, where we
had several fights, the command of Ryan
being the only one that would encounter
the enemy in the open field.
When Ryan left the island, he ordered
me to report to General Cavado, who was
the real commander of the Cuban forces,
and who was then engaged in organizing a
small but efficient body of cavalry. He
placed me on his staff. Under his COM
mand we travelled through Sancti Spiritus
Remedies, Trinidad and st. Fergus, and
passed down the mountains to VillaclerrO.
having several fights with the Spaniards as
we descended
Owing to this travel became so help
less as to be unable to travel. Here Cavado
left part of his staff and the whole of his
escort, taking only five or six men with him,
and went to Join his brother, who was in
charge of command in Zapata, telling MS
to follow as soon as possible.
In Villaclerro we provided ourselves with
horses, those which we had previously hav-
ing died with starvation while travling
through the mountains and about the end
of November commenced our trip to Zapata,
a great swamp, seventeen miles from Ha-
vana. We proceeded as far down as CiagO
Montaro, when we discovered that Cavado
had passed us on the march and gone into
the mountains again. Meanwhile our party
was surprised several times by the
Spaniards during our stay, and nearly
captured, | receiving a wound in
the head while endeavOring to escape on
my hands and knees, and finally presented
myself, with others, being promised our
pardon if we surrendered, and was confined
in prison five months. There was no out
ward cruelty resorted to during our con-
fnement. The offense of foreigner taking
up arms was case which they looked upon
as inexcusable, and our treatment if not
cruel, was in every sense calling from the
insults heaped upon us. | was placed in the
smallpox hospital at st. Fergus, and conse-
auently became affected with the disease,
and long illness followed. At this time
all the prisons were filed. Courtsmartial
were at work every day, and wholesale
legal massacre went on. Others were sent
off to Spain. Men of delicate health were
employed as scavengers in the streets and
cleaning privies.
The spirit of the native population with
reference to their past and future conduct
is perfectly unalterable. They express
themselves as being determined TO be extir-
pated rather than submit to the Spanish
government any longer. The situation is
at present the abolition of slavery and the
independence of the island. The negroes
troublesome on the island, and there are
cases known to many where they were pro-
NOTED to the rank of captain.
These for the most part never intend to
submit to chains again. The insurrection
has reached point definite. OF course they
never expected to achieve independence by
force of arms, but they can harrass the au-
thorities for the next ten years as effectually
as they do now until some settlement or
treaty is made.
There is the greatest jealousy and distrust
between the Spaniard and the natives who
have adhered to the rule of Spain. The
former declare that the native population,
black and white, are disloyal and that they
would declare in favor of the Cubans if OPP
portunity offered.
The people of the island universally con-
denim General Quesada for his endeavoring
to establish, in his letter to President