The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-15

that passed, but also to be tinged with sympathy
for the Cuban cause, excited no little interest,"
The officers have from the first expressed them
selves pleased that should accompany them on
what they hoped would be o long and interesting
expedition, and there was universal wish that the
enemy would show himself in order that the world
might receive an impartial account OF Cuban
battle. l went to bed full OF nope
mat the morning would see US on
our way to those mysterious woods where
the insurrection has its strongholds. In this was
destined to disappointment, for when issued out
OF the little room which had been kindly placed at
my disposal Colonel Sostrada informed me that
during the night he had
y vs.. RECEIVED ORDERS TO RETURN ,~
in the direction OF st. Luis and await further
orders. This news quite threw damper on all our
enthusiasm; but as 1t was looked ON only as q
change OF direction the circumstance was not much
thought about. The halt was made at the Caindou
estate where l was told the column would remain
until further orders Colonel Sostrada, accompa-
MED by the adjutant, rode to st. Luis to communi
cate with the General by telegraph, ana returned
In few hours with news that the battalion would
remain stationary until further orders. Colonel
S0strada told Inc that was
AT LIBERTY TO REMAIN OR TO RETURN
to Santiago de Cuba This surprised me, as I had
not spoken word about leaving. told him that
HAD come out TO make the expedition with the
battalion, and was inclined to remain until It was
ended If my presence was not inconvenient. He
replied that the officers OF the battalion would be
delighted to have me remain. There was no den
mite reason given for the sudden abandonment
OF the expedition, and as considered
the subject delicate one did not make any press
ing inquiries. 1t afterwards became known, how
ever, that as soon as the battalion marched north
o portion OF the insurgents marched south and
others appeared threatening the plantations. In
view OF these movements the battalion was Or
dered back
TO PROTECT THE HARVEST.
Since it appeared tine battalion would not move
determined to return to Santiago de Cuba. A
letter had been sent by Colonel Sostrada about mo
to the General, but no reply was received to Il.
The general opinion being that the column would
remain stationary for some time, decided ON
returning. On taking leave OF the Officers
Colonel Sostrada expressed the regret OF him
self and the other officers that I should
be obliged to leave so soon. He seemed to be very
anxious lest should go away with the impression
that the column had refrigerated from fear OF the
enemy or that there was any force In front capa-
BILE OF barring the passage Of the battalion. When
assured him that did not entertain this opinion
and that comprehended that the return was duo
to
.H SOME CHANGE OF PLAN
on the part Of the General, he replied:-"I know
you are too polite to express such an opinion.
but fear that such has been the impression
made on your mind by the sudden return Of
the troops" again assured him that believed tho
retiring of the column due to the exigencies OF
the war, and that was perfectly convinced that
the battalion would go wherever 1t was ordered.
He evidently felt only half satisfied, and much
termination
OF the expedition. then took leave Of the officers,
whom was really very sorry to quit. During my
stay with them had been the object OF unceasing
attention. Nothing that could add to my comfort
was neglected, and was treated more like q
spoiled child than the special correspondents OF q
paper which Is assumed to be hostile to Spanish
rule In the Antilles. COmmandant Lopez, ono
Of the most distinguished officers OF the
battalion, accompanied me to Santiago
de Cuba. We rode from the encampment
at Oiudad TO the station OF Christi-a
distance Of i've long leagues-without any guard.
This surprised me not little, as the district L.
very wild and mountainous, and at times we rode
through the brush for miles without meeting any
living thing. We passed many a point where ono
cool fellow, with sHe
AN OLD SHOTGUN AND A TASTE FOR HEDGE
SHOOTING,
could have disposed OF both OF us before we could
have pulled rein, but fortunately we arrived at the
station OF Christi without encountering any enter
prising manifest. From this point travelled by
the railroad on a hand carworked by two negroes
to Santiago de Cuba, The work was not dif1cult-
for after the first few hundred yards we were ON
an inclined plane. and our only trouble was to keep
the drag so that the car would not
rush down with dangerous velocity. The evening
OF my arrival presented myself at the palace.
General Morales was absent, but the chief Of stan
expressed regret at the termination OF the expeai
ton, but promised that should be notified al
soon the next column left for the insurgent dis
trict. No word has been sent since, and as have
completed my preparations for the campaign the
next communications hope will be written In tia
insurgent lines. at