The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-10
THE PRINCE or EILrBusrERs.
Remarkable incidents in the Career of the
Famous General Henningsen.
pay Peril

Famous General Henningsen.
Den: Perlcy PORES "reminiscences,
The prince of filibusters. so far as they were
seen at Washington, was General Henningsen.
He was an Englishman by birth, and, after hav
ing received Il military education, he left for
Spain. when nineteen years of age to serve in
the forces Of Don Carlos a staff officer of the
partisan chief, ZumalacarrequL After many
acts OF reckless herosm he captured, and on
the death Of the partisan returned to England in
1873. Two volumes from the youthful officers
pen tell the story of q Twelve Months Cam
paigu with Iumalacarrcqui.' He did not let his
sword rest long in idleness. Sehamyl, the
prophet of Circassia, had unfurled the banner Of
rebellion in the Caucasus, and young Henning
sen promptly repaired to his ranks From the
sunny wales of Spain to the SHOWS Of
hussia was a strange translation, but
1t was sufficient for him that weak
side needed brave sword. Hennmgsen's
life in Russia furnished the material for half
dozen volumes, published at various periods
when peace drove him 70 enforced retirement
such OCCASIONS were rare, however. The Hun.
gallan revolution OF 1873 and 1919 found him
serving with distinction under Kossuth, and he
was appointed Governor of ComoOn. Henning
sen achieved a European reputation in the disas-
uous struggle, and was ionized on his return TO
England. Young handsome, with great literary
talent, honOred with the friendship of Yelling
ton, be still yeaIned for fresh fields Of adventure
He followed kossuth to America, where his rep
utatlon had preceded him. and society welcomed
him everywhere He married a Southern
widow. Mrs. Connolly. Of Burke county, Ga, a
niece Of Senator BerlTen. a devoted and cult
waited women For while he devoted himself
to literary work, and published some once popu-
lar books Of travel and fiction But the fingers
ertlnped by pen were itching TO grasp q
sword-hilt, and the opportunity soon presented
itself. The exploits Of William Walker in Cen
trail America We're astounding the world and at
tracing to his side the brave and adventurous
of every land. Never since tho days Of Cortez
had the world seen such n career as that of the
once Immortal fty-siX who sailed from Cali
fornia in a little vessel to conquer an empire and
imperil the peace of two continents. Henning
sen threw himself into the ranks of the American
phalanX with his usual enthusiasm. His fortune
and his life were freely risked, and, although he
lost the one and exposed the other on a score of
well fought fields he never regretted his ex
perienee with the so called 'tilibusters." Il
feel pround of having been one of them" he
wrote to me- and quietly glory in my retire
ment at having been able to command and con
troll, besides securing their personal devotion
and attachment His comrades he considered
the best soldiers the world ever saw. and his
experience entitled his opinion to respect. They
pick Of the world. and they We're the pick Of Cal
lfornia.' With only 2I6 fighting men opposed
to 1000 allied Central Americans, and encum-
bered with 300 or 400 none ombatants, Henuing
son held the plaza of Granada for seventeen days
and nights Of incesSant fighting. They We're
poorly sheltered or not at all, disease and death
were daily and hourly thinning their ranks, but
from leader or men there came not whisper of
surrender. Relief ridiculously small in mum
Der, but invincible of courage, came at last
hundred of those paladns whom the world calls
"hlibusters disembarked from the lake steamer,
ard with cheer and volley carried four BARR
cades and effected a junction with their be
leaguered comrades Hemingsen leisurey
evacuated and burned the town, leay-
ing his gage of defiance behind him
"a lance stuck among the ruin
with the tauntinG inscriptions 'Aqui fue Grana-
da." Here was Granada Then a United
States navy captains interference compelled the
starving heroes to surrender, but the Had of
Central America was past forever During the
early part of our civil war General Henningsen
commanded the Wise Legion, of Virginia He
was rapidly achieving a distinction, warranted
by his military fame in smaller arenas when he
incurred the G.spleasurc OF Jefferson Davis who
had 4 singular genius for ignoring or suppress
ing the abilities of his subordinates Herning
sen had injudiciously anticipated the verdict Of
posterity by speaking CONTEMPORARY of Davis,
and the latter could never forgive such pre-
science. After peace he lived quietly at Wash
ington, general favorite wherever his amiable
disposition and stainless character were known.
He was warm and active friend of Cuba
Libre." At one time he visited the ever faith
full isle, with II view to taking personal part
in the insurrection, but the opportunity did not
come and he died in peace at home.