The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-03
A CUBAN patriot.

COIOneI Js M PachecO-His Daring hu-
ventures and Hairbreadth Escapes
'By Flood and Field" Blockade Rum
ming and Passing the Enemy's Lines.
Colonel Pacheco, OF the Cuban liDerating armg
who arrived In New York few days ago. has
performed some of the most daring acts OF patriot
ism that have yet been achieved since the CON-
mencement Of that most remarkable war OF In
dependence in which he Is engaged. His slngu-
larry adventurous history would almost justify the
seeming paradox that truth is stranger than
fiction"
Colonel Pacheco is q young man OF twenty-five
summers. He is slight and fragile of build, under
the medium height, OF fair complexion, having
light hair, with slight blonde mustache, and, in
fact. looks like anything but the formidable Cuban
soldier which he has proved himself to be. A
HERALD representative called on him yesterday
and in the course OF q conversation gained the
following PARTICULARS OF the COlonel's life. When
the war broke out he was but mere boy, law
student in Bayamo his native city. He joined the
ranks OF his country private soldier, and since
then until now bis career has been one OF hazard
Gus adventure, trying military service, well de-
served promotion and honorable wounds.
In December, 1871, PachecO for the first time es-
capped from the island. This was after the attack
made by the Cubans on the fOrtlfcations Of
Guamo, where he was severely wounded, having
received no less than three bullet wounds during
the assault. He remained in Jamaica until the
following March, when he went to join the cxpe-
ditOn OF Colonel AguerO In the Edgar Stuart.
When this we'll remembered vessel was near the
Cuban coast PachecO volunteered to go with four
men in a ships boat and recOnnoltre the landing
place. This he successfully accomplished, return
ing to advise the steamer that the coast was clear
and then with the troops OF Decentralization which he
commanded, helped to land the welcome cargo OF
arms and ammunition that the Stuart carried In
aid OF the patriots. PaChecO now remained for
while on the island to share with his companions
In arms tie difficulties and dangers OF an arduOuS
campaign. In May, 1872, the young patriot, in
company with eight OF his friends, again ran the
gauntlet OF the Spanish land and sea forces by es
Gaping in dugOut canoe through their military and
naval llnes and reaching santa Ana Bay, fifty miles
from Kingston, Jamaica, after most adventurous
trip of three days
"what did you have to eat on the voyages" asked
the HERALD representative.
'We mad with us some wild honey, Jut50 wood
and a keg Of water.
New York. but he renamed here only some twenty
days. At the expiration Of this Time he left here
for Puerto Plata, to join an expedition that was
then expected 10 pass near that place on the way
to Cuba. He was disappointed. and did not TALL In
with the expected vessel. lie therefore went to
the village Bride. with crew of ten
men, including himself, ne embarked IN
TINS t craS Or s a se oh tn secend dns
out Spanish war steamer hove in sight The
man-ol-war altered her course and bore down to.
the VILLAGE Bride changed her tack, and made OF
al spanking rate on a bOwline course for San
lard, who now felt sure that the Bride was one OF
the numerous small craft engaged in
regular trade along the ., south C coast
the Village Bride ran in towards the coast. but
contrary wind did not admit OF close approach
to it. Pacheco now determined to effect landing
by means OF small boat from the Bride He got
into the boat with four men and made the land
safely in sight OF Spanish coastguard fort The
boat was injured in beaching-One of her ribs hav-
ing been STAYED in. The CUBAN Outlooks, seeing
boat on the beach, Thought it might have be-
force to examine the place where 1t was
the same day about noon, when they Iound "a
aSe BRIDE cot out Of the way and returned from
whence she came. After delay OF three days &C.
cupIed in transacting the business which brought
him to the island and In repairing the boats
Colonel PachecO and bis brave Fellows committed
their fortunes to the iavoring deep and headed
the skirs course Tor Jamaica, with an abundant
scarceness of provisions, which this time consisted
OF IOrtv-twO mangoes, nfty-siX lemons, lew green
wild grapes, with oceans OF water every where but
In the first night out on this memorable voyage
a Spanish cruiser passed within fifty yards OF the
little boat that contained the nve heroic CuDan5.
PachecO gave orders Tor the men to get ready what
they had, so as to resist to the death any at
tempted capture that might be made by the
Spaniard. Fortunately the enemy did not per-
ceive the patriots, and they escaped through the
friendly shades OF night After an eVentlul run OF
three days PachecO and his men, exhausted by
toll. pinched by hunger and almost dying
of thirst finally reached the coast Of ia,
maica, at Santa Ana Bay. When they beached
their boat two OF the rOwers were so Tar gone
IRON fatigue and munger as to fall back IN swoon
on the thwarts, ana they had to be carried to a
place were refreshments were obtained near by.
The Cubans sold their boat and purchased pro-
visions with the price her. After recruiting their
strength q little Pacheco and his companions
walked TO the house OF Cuban who lived some
twenty miles OIL, where all the wants OF himself
and his men were bountiiully supplied. few days
afterwards the party marched for Kingston. since
that time July last) colonel PachecO until very
recently, has resided in Kingston, curing his
wounds and recruiting his health. Some days ago
he arrived in New York from Jamaica.
The HERALD man expressed his acKnOwledg-
ments for the p0lteness and attention with winch
"Dont mention It," said the brave officer. 'The
Cubans ought to dc everything possible Tor the
HERALD, We owe more TO that great journal IMAM
all our united efforts abroad has amounted to-"
In reply as to what his ideas and intentions for
the future are Colonel Pacheco said =
1.-THE men In the field are making wonderful
progress, and they will continue their sue
cesses. The 1900 or more Cubans capa-
bic Of bearing arms who are in New lev,
parading Broadway are not worthy TO claim
nationality, much less kindred. with the dauntles5
men who are sacr;fcing every thing on earth even
lie ITSELF to the glorious cause OF country. AS Tor
myself, crippled as i am with wounds and broken
in health, should soon get order again to take
the sea Held, am but the servant OF my country
to go where she directs"
1t Is currently believed in the Cuban head
quarters here that the Spanish Colonel Mantaner,
lately taken prisoner by Maxine Gomez, has been
shot. 1t Is also th0ughG that in iuture no mercy
will be shown to Spanish officers who may ia into
the hands OF the enraged Cubans