The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-29
HOW IT WAS DONE.

chCH1I MAIN cl AucB8OA'8 Account OF tnS
Trip from Aspinwan ana the Landing
OF the Arms-An Exciting Narrative
News from Cuba Libre.
HERALD reporter called last evening at the
residence OF Brigadier General Rafael Quesada, OF
the Cuban Army. who has just returned from King.
ston, Jamaica after successfully landing cargo OF
arms and ammunition in the camp Of the Cuban
patriots
Brigadier Quesadais fine, soldiery looking man
OF thirty TO thirty three years. He is TALL well pro-
pOrtioned, OF regular features high forehead black
piercing eyes, and with mustache and imperial
trimmed Ia natHtaire.
After passing the usual saiutations, General
Quesada went on to say that the American steamer
virginius, Captain Williams, with himself General
Barreto and stan, left Aspinwall on thu lst inst,
bound for Cuba with arms and munitions OF war
for the insurgents. On the I'd the steamer en-.
countered exceedingly rough weather, and during
the gale lost q boat and damaged one OF the wheel.
houses but sustaining no other injury. At eight
O'Clock on the morning OF the 9th July land was
sighted. 1t was wet, foggy day. At twelve
O'CLOCK 1t was judged that the ship might be seven
teen miles from the shore. The rain then ceasng
and the weather clearing, they were surprised to
sight large steamer some seven miles distant
from the virginius, but it was impossible to make
out II the newcomer were
WAR SHIP OR A MERCHASTMAS.
The Cubans. then, with full head OF steam on
the ship, made towards the Island OF San Domingo
and soon lost sight OF the INTRUDER, after which
the vrginius veered her course and returned to-
wards the coast Of Cuba, getting within about four
miles OF 1t by nine O'Clock at night. Lying short
distance on from the coast, General Quesada made
a reconnaissance to find the point at which he was
to make connection with the Cuban land forces.
Upon discovering this much-coveted objective
point three boats sent ashore to try the point
OF landing. As soon az the boats reached hailing
distance they were loudly challenged from the
land. To the
"wHo COMES THERE n
the boats crews sturdiy answered, SCUBA Libre .,
At this glad response the patriot troops ashore
gave out a cheer that made the echoes ring again.
Tie rowers and guides In the boats could not con.
tain their Joy and wildly rushed into the waters
towards their compatri0ts on the land. Withou {
delay orders were now given TO at once commence
dlsembarklng the cargo. The men worked with q
will assisted BY the troops on shore. lieutenant
colonel, whose name General Quesada forgets,
second in command to General Jesus Perez, was In
charge OF the detachment that assisted to unload
the arms He sent a force to advise Perez OF the
arrival Of the expedition, which had been expected
for some days. Perez, who was then aboat min e
miles in the interior, upon receiving the glad news
put strong column In motion and reached the
landing place the next day about ten O'Clock.
During the night the virginius discharged her
valuable cargo. 1t consisted principally OF 500
Remington rires, IS calbre; 100 needle-ri1es,
100000 rounds OF ball-cartrldge ammunition, a
large number Of rnachetes, much medicines, ton
OF powder and considerable quantity OF clothing
and provisions. At daybreak-before five O'CLOCK
on the morning OF the 7th. TO the great consterna
ton Of the patriots, a Spanish gunooat was dis
covered lying quietly at anchor within about three
hundred yards OF the virginlus. At that time there
we're still nfty boxes OF ammunition to be landed,
which might have been easily accomplished but
for the loss OF the boat In the
gale OF the I'd, deprvnS the Cuoans
OF the effective service IL could have lent IN the
delicate operation OF getting the material ashore.
IL was now deemed better to weigh at once rather
than run the risk OF endangering the safety OF the
whole cargo by waiting to deliver over the remain
ing few boxes. AT the moment Of
SIGHTING THE GUNEOAT
through the gray mist OF morning, the Virginlus
had on but Jour pounds pressure oil steam, yet all
haste was made; she obeyed the helm splendidy,
and got away In an incredibly short space OF
time, with the remaining nfty boxes OF car
tridges still aboard. Captain Williams and the
officers and crew Of the virginius behaved witt
much c9enass and setpossesaion under the ciy