The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-29
CRlTTENDEN AND HIS MEN.
The story of Their Butchery i'm One of
the Cuban Rebellions Retold.


the Cuban Rebellions Retold.
st. Louis Republic
II Among the Cuban sympathizers in St
II Louis no one is more sincere ard earnest
IN wishing success for the struggling pa
triots than is Comptroller Isaac Sturgeon.
Mr. sturgeon is Of venerable age. and
can, therefore, distinctly remember the
stirring scenes witnessed throughout the
United States back in the sos, when news
came thick and fast from the little island
regarding the desperate conflict that was
waged by patriotic Cuhans in their efforts
10 throw on the oppressive Spanish yoke
and secure the liberty that they are still
so heroically battling for against such
mighty odds
The excitement in the United States was
raised to the fever point in 1851. when news
was received OF the atrocious butchery by
the Spanish soldiery Of a band OF fifty
American patriots. headed by Col. Critten-
den. of Kentucky, who, valuing the lib
arty Of their fellow men dearer than their
own lives. had expatriated themselves to
Join their fortunes with those Of the strug-
Cling Cubans and risk all 10 aid in securing
for them the priceless legacy that Lafay-
cite, moved by the same impulses. aided
the American patriots Of 7S in wrestling
from Great Britain.
Even now, after the lapse Of forty years
Mr.. Sturgeon cannot discuss the events OF
those days without kindling with indaa-
n ton and his heart painting for revenge for
the blood OF the brave little band composed
u the sons Of the first families of Ken
ucky, many OF whom were his comrades
youth.
My daily prayer for nearly fifty years.
aid the comptroller yesterday. has been
II hat this atrocious hutchery of American
III 3vs might meet retributive Justice, and
n hat the Cubans might he liberated from
Spain's oppression and tyrannical domina-
NJ ion."
This event. which Mr.. Sturgeon so vivid
recalls, forms one Of the saddest and
n most pathetic chapters in the history Of
he oppressed island. Briefly rected. the
xecution of the gallant hand Of American
II atri0ts. and the events leading up 70 IL,
( - as follows: In 1851 Col William l..
\ rittenden. of the famous Kentucky fam-
IL cousin Of ex-(Tov. T. T. Crittenden. OF
IL ussouri, and a graduate Of West Point
Nd coming imbued with a desire 70 aid the
u ubans in their struggle for liberty re-
II zned A ColOneicy IN the United States
my. ard. with some fifty followers from
n nong the best families Of the state. pro-
III eded TO New orleans and united with a
AZ rce II about zoo men. collected at that
are by a noted officer named Lopez who
"A formerly been in the Spanish service
u due time Gen. Lopez and his army az
men including Crittenden and his fol-
wers. embarked on board a ship and sail
81 FOR the Cuban coast. They reached their
II sstination safely. and landed when Gen.
spez instructed Crittenden 70 remain
\ ifh 10 men 10 guard the baggage and
4 nres OF ammunition while he Uopez)
n rehea into the interior to arouse the ma
q ses and engage the enemy The Spanish
a Hhar8fies had been informed as to Lopez's
~ Reements. and had an army OF many
IL easAnds in readiness TO meet him.
IL tmneE had hardly proceeded forty miles
d tNre he became engaged with detach-
q = p ~ a rt,Fafff lf
q waed. resulting in Iopezs discontinue
Il ~ the complete rout OF his daring littls
az ~ In the meantime other divisions Of
III spanish army attacked Col Crittenlen
a - MS handful Of men For three DAYS
a more the battle ragged. the Americans
u fhting with a spirit horn Of desperation
at - hoping each hour that Lopez. whose
III a. was not known to them. would re-
a. ~ 20 their reIef This was their oniv
- for they were surrounded ny the
ST Mnish solderv. were outnumhered and
q "A no means Of eSre %. In three 4 ffers1t
e wagemeuts they repulscd the spanish.
~ Their enemies numbers daily increased
4 nile Cr'ttenden's command had dwndlod
u hfty men.
4 Seeing that 70 was hopeless to try 70 hold
q any longer, Crittenden ordered HIS men
VI 90 boats and put ont 70 sea. hoping that
81 m friendly vessel might pick them AZ
q ~ bear them safely away. In this they
Il sro disappointed for the Spanish au-
a. or.tas were as alert on the water as on
a. land. and they were soon run down
II a captured by a gunbOat. They were pUt
Ii irons. inhumanely treated and hurried
"a Havana where they were thrown into
II son and given the treatment accorded
pirates They We're pat in convict garn.
al Their arms were corded behind them
Il tf. wrist so tightly as 10 cause their
4 nds % swell 10 double their former size.
~ thout trial or hearing Of any kind the
II tn.sn authorities decided that they
1ulf he shot 10 death.
--e dav after their arrival IN Havana.
~ gust ls l>5I. they We're summoned from
"A or pr.sol cells and told 20 prepare for
,-h The only privilege accorded them
n that OF writing farewell letters 70 their
a Miles Col. Crittenden awaited himself
Cd This opportunity. and addressed A ct
n 10 his friend. pr Lucien Hensiey. II
" ~ noted that IN x be reprOacheS Gen.
orz. which was only natural under the
-unstances. as he was not aware of the
q that oefeil Lopez and his little army.
letter was forwarded. with others.
n -oreh the United States legation. TO
rerica, and IN due ttme was published IN
nd .rlv every newspaper IN the Unite1
: ties. with an account Of the execution.
"a letter Is as follows
II D4sr Iucien. II half an hour ], win
m ~ others. am 10 be shot. We were taken
~ z1rers Yesterday. We were 81 small
u ats Gen Lopez separated the Balance
~ the command from me-. ] had with me
IN. 1ao-was attacked py two battal!ons
N infantry an4 one company % horse.
odds were too great, ana, strange 10
II Vas nos furnished via d single
II sket cartridge. Lopez did not get any
- Ue~y. I have not tae heart TO write %
a . u nav family. u the truth ever CONES
O YOU wll find that IA NY duty. and