The New York herald., 1872-12-04
An Enthusiastic Frenchman Proposes
Conquering Cuba and Founding
Herald Colony on the Island.
VALIANT VETERANS IN TIE VAN.
Forward the Herald Brigade,
With Not Heart Dismaycd,
Noble Six Thousand!
Rich, Rare and Racy Correspondence from
Our Embryo Stanleys.


Between three and four thousand gentle
men have called at the HERALD Office since Sun
day and offered to enlist In the HERALD
Cuban army. They were courageous, fearless men,
ready to brave the dangers OF war, and, II
need be, to die In the service OF the NEW
YORK HERALD. A mass Of letters containing offers
to enlist in the expedition were also received.
OF course. almost all the gentlemen connected with
the HERALD volunteered to 60. The unmarried
men seemed to be forgetful OF all sublunary con-
sideratiOns and eager TO lay down their lives for
the HERALD, but some OF the married men-we are
sorry to say it-were rather more circumspect
and evidently wanted to have their lives insured.
We give further on few specimens OF the letters.
The heroic spirit Of daring manifested In them all
cannot fail to inspire the reader with admiration.
The enlisting officer Of the HERALD Cuban expo
dition was unable to see many OF the gentlemen
who personally called to offer their services but
the interviews with few Of these brave men are
given below. They will be found highly interesting.
HEROIC YOUTH.
The first gentleman who called was Mr.. AlonZo
Weaver, young man OF twenty three, above the
middle height, rather thick set, with big, round
head mighty forehead pallid cheeks, large, keen
eyes, long hair. He looked like man OF courage
and OF daring. AS he spoke his eye nashed his
mouth quivered, his whole frame shook The
glorious thought or conquering cuba for the NEW
YORK HERALD seemed TO have electrified him.
OFFICER-Have you ever been on any news.
papers
HEROIC YOUTH have never been on any news
paper but am fond Of adventure, and, / think
would suit you to dot l have been down to
Galveston, Texas and am used to the Southern
Climate. don't think the climate OF Cuba would
harm me any. don't think the dangers OF war
would terrify me in the least. or course, don't
Ennr 0xxnv
because would pick 1t up soon It's very easy
OFFIcER-Are you familiar with the use OF fire.
arms2
HEROIC yoUrH-Yes, sir am. Ihave often car
rled revolver with me- am used to all sorts OF
hardships and OF course I.have made up my mind
10 do exactly what am told to 90. am ready to
FOR THE NEW YORK HERALD.
am single man; thus, you see, have the advan-
tage. have nobody to take care OF; my folks are
pretty well Off and can get along without me; SO,
you see can do what want TO- As for money, it's
no object to me; it's more for the novelty OF the
thing that want to undertake it. or course If
were picked out as one OF the army, I'd want to be
paid as much as the rest.
OFFICER-Yes. When could you gop
HEROIC YOUTH could go to- morrow, IN a week,
in Q month-any time you please. with fash OF
his eye)-I'll go In an hour II you say so. As for
my business, am engaged in the painting trade,
but just now times duh and think could un-
dertake the work. Ny family would be perfectly
willing to let me go-rm not at home one quarter
OF the tlme
OFFICER-How long could YOU stay In Cuba1
A TREAcuERors PEOPLE.
HEROIC YoUTH-Until the business Is completed
and until I'm called away. | know the disposition
OF the Cubans and Spaniards well--they are cow
ardly, treacherous class OF people. or course
know before I'd go that there would be no excuse
for me to back out. In fact II | am chosen one OF
them know that won't back out. know it.
am used to travelling ont West, you know, where
/ have travelled, II You meet three or lour white
men and they see that you have good gum they'll
so for you-and have frequently braved dangers
OFFIcEa-You have no apprehensions as to the
result2
me in the least and know that the sea wouldn't
AFFECT me q bit ! have been out the Fishing
Banks, and the storms there never affected me
much. 30 I'm sure III stand the voyage to Cuba.
The heroic youth then gave the oflcer detailed
account OF his past career from the day lie lett
school TO the present moment.
sASGUINARY YOUTH.
OFFrcER-What are your descriptive talents'
HEROIC YOUTH-Wcl, can write good letter.
can condense It, am not very good hand at
using many supernuons words. In travelling l
new place, and so have got used to describing all
sorts OF Places. Oh think this part OF 1t is all
right; M!ter pause.) am never SO contented
as when am moving about. like excitement,
YOU see would really he very happy TO get into
OrricsR-Have you ever fought a battle
HEROIC YourH-No, sir; but have often seen
pistols drawn and shots hred. That amounts
pretty nearly to the same thing. ] really think
tnat would Just suit your purpose. would like
the writing part very well. have this idea-what
you want - the truth; you don't want any exag-
geiation am fighting character. When see
arrow In the street don't want to go away from it,.
am that Kind OF man. Earnestly You just
Iy me, I0r ! am really anxious to go, and few
specimen OF my literary ability-somethng you
would IKE 70 see Read that and you'll see how
well could describe a battle In Cuba,
THE YOUTHS LITERARY ABILITY.
Mr.. Weaver then handed the oflicer the following
account or an imaginary battle;-
"a strong outpost OF Confederate troops were
stationed ut Brooklyn early IN June, 1872 and on the
9th OF that month q detachment OF United States
troops, commanded by Brigadier General smith,
was sent from New York TO surprise this post
and, f successful, to push on and attack battery
situated at Williamsburg. The Union force con
sisted OF four regiments, comprising 5000 men
while that Of the enemy numbered 1900 aud were