The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-07-17
THE PRINCE OF FILlBUSTERS.
Remarkable Incidents in the Career OF tn
Famous Gen. Hcnningscn.

Remarkable Incidents in the Career OF the
Famous Gen. Hcnningsen.
The prince Of filibusters, SO far as
they were seen ut Washington, was Gen.
Henningsen. He was an Engl shman
by birth. and, after having received o
military education, he left for Spain,
when ID years of age, to serve in the
forces of Don Carlos as q staff officer OF
the partisan chief, 2umalacarrequi.
After many acts Of reckless heroism he
was captured, and on the death of the
partisan returned to England in 1885.
Two volumes from the youthful officers
pen tell the story of twelve Months
Campaign with Zuma'acarrequi." He
did not let his sword rest long in idle
ness. Sehamyl, The prophet If Circas-
STA, had unfurled the banner Of rebel
lion in the Caucasus, and young Hen
ningsen promptly repaired to his ranks.
From the sunny wales of Spain to the
SHOWS of Russi, was strange transla-
ton, but it was sufficient for him that
weak side needed brave sword. Hem
ningsen's life in Russia furnished the
material for half dozen volumes, pub
lished at various periods when peace
drove him to enforced retirement. Such
occasions were rare, however. The
Hungarian revolution Of 1s4S and 1919
found him serving with distinction
under Kossuth, and he was appointed
Governor of Comoon. Henningsen
achieved European reputation in the
disastrous struggle. and was lionized on
his return to England. Young, hand
some, with great literary talent, hon.
ored with the friendship of Wellington,
he still yearned for fresh fields of ad-
venture. He followed kossuth to
America, where his reputat on had pre-
coded him, and society welcomed him
everywhere He married Southern
widow, Mrs. Connolly, of Burke
County, Georgia, niece of Senator
Berrien, devoted and cultivated
woman. For while he devoted him.
self to literary work, and published
some once popular books of travel and
fiction. But the fingers cramped by
pen were itching to grasp sword-hilt,
and the opportunity soon presented
itself. The exploits of William Walker
in Central America were astounding
the world and attracting to his side the
brave and adventurous of every land.
Never since the days of Cortez
had the world seen such q career
as that of the once Immortal"
fifty-srx who sailed from Cali
fornia in o little vessel to conquer an
empire and imperil the peace Of two
continents. Henningsen threw himself
into the ranks Of the American phal-
anx with his usual enthusiasm. His
fortune and his life were freely risked,
and, although he lost the one and ex-
posed the other on score of we'll
fought fields, he never reg cited his
experience with the so-called "fiibus-
ters." II feel proud of having been
one of them." he wrote to me, land
quietly g DRY in my retirement at hay
ing been able to command and control,
besides securing their pers, nal devo-
ton and attachment. His comrades
he considered the best soldiers the
world ever saw, and his experience en-
titled his opinion to respect. They
were mostly Caliornians. California
was the pick OF the world, and they
were the pick of California. With
only 276 fighting men opposed to 1000
allied Central Americans, and incum-
bered with 100 or 4UO non-combatants,
Henningsen held the plaza of Grenada
for seventeen days and nights of inces,
SAINT fighting. lhey We're poorly shell
tered, 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. Re-
lief, ridiculously small in number. but
invincible OF cour ge, came at last. A
hundred of those pa'adins whom tn,
world calls "iilibusters" dismbarked
from the lake steamer, and with cheer
and . volley carried four barricades
and effected II junction with their be-
leaguered comrades. Henningsen leis-
nrely evacuated and burned the town,
leaving his gage of defiance behind
him-a lance stuck among the ruin
with the haunting inscription: "Aqui
fue Grenada" "Here was Grenada. I"
Then United States navy Captains
interference compelled the starving he-
roes to surrender, but the Iliad of Cen.
trail America was past forever. Dur
ing the early part OF our civil war Gen.
Henningsen commanded tie Wise LIE
g:on, Of Virginia. He was rapidly
achieving a distinction, warranted by
his military fame in smaller arenas,
when he incurred the displeasure OF
Jefferson Davis, who had singular
genius for ignoring or suppressing the
abilities of his subordinates. Henning-
sen had iniudiciously anticipated the
verdict of posterity 10y speaking con-
temptuously of Davis, and the latter
could never forget such prescience.
After peace he lived quietly ut Wash
ington, general favorite wherever his
amiable disposition and stainless char
n NJ M vara knowo Rem. payJon pDnso