The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-08
SHOT TEN AT A TIME
AN INCIDENT OF THE CUBAN sTRUG-
GLE OF FORTY YEARS AGO.
Criftenden and His Little Band Of
KentucISians-How They Were Cap
tured and Shot by spnniards.


Mr.. Sturgeon is of venerable age. and can.
therefore, distinctly remember the stirring
scenes witnessed throughout the United
States back in the ffties. when news came
thick and fast from the little island re-
garding the desperate conflict that was
waged by patriotic Cubans in their efforts
TO throw off the oppressive Spanish yoke
and secure the liberty tina. 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 band
OF fifty American patriots headed by
Colonel Crittenden. OF Kentucky, who valu-
ing the liberty Of their fellow-men dearer
than their own lives, had expatriated them
selves to join their fortunes with those Of
the struggling Cubans and risk all to aid in
securing for them the priceless legacy that
Lafayette, moved by the same impulses
aided the American patriots of rs In wrest-
ing from Great Britain.
Even now, after the lapse of forty years,
Mr.. Sturgeon cannot discuss the events of
those days without kindling with indigna-
ton, and his heart painting for revenge
for the blood Of the brave little band COM
posed of the sons of the first families of
Kentucky, many Of whom were his COM
rades I'm youth
My daily prayer for nearly fifty years"
said the Controller yesterday, has sen
that this atrocious butchery OF American
boys might meet retributive justice. and
that the Cubans might be liberated from
SPANS oppression and tyrannical domina-
ton"
A SAD CHAPTER.
This event, which Mr.. Sturgeon so wildly
recalls, forms one of the saddest and most
pathetic chapters in the history of the OPP
pressed island. Briefly rected. the execution
OF the gallant band of American patriots,
and the events leading up to it. are as fol-
| lows: In 1851 Col. William L. Crittenden
of the famous Kentucky family, cousin Of
ex-Gov. T. T. Crittenden. of Missouri. and
a graduate OF West Point, becoming i'm
bued with desire to aid the Cubans in
their struggle for liberty, resigned a
colonelcy in the United states army, and
viii some fifty followers from among
to New Orleans and united with a force OF
about five hundred men. collected at that
place by a noted officer named Lopez, who
had formerly been in the Spanish service.
In due time General Lopez and his army
of five hundred men. including Crittenden
ship and sailed for the Cuban coast. They
reached their destination safely and landed.
when General Lopez instructed Crittenden
to remain with 150 men to guard the bag
gage and stores of ammunition, while he
lopez pushed into the interior to arouse
the natives and engage the enemy. The
Spanish authorities had been informed as TO
Lopez's movements, and had an army of
many thousands in readiness to meet him.
Lopez had hardly proceeded forty miles
before he became engaged with detach-
ments of his army, and severe conflict
ensued resulting in Lopez's discontinue and
the complete rout of his daring little army.
In the meantime other divisions of the
Spanish army attacked Colonel Crittenden
and his handful of men. For three days or
more the battle ragged. the Americans fight
ing with spirit born of desperation, and
hoping each hour that Lopez, whose fate
was not known to them, would return TO
their relief. This was their only hope, for
they were surrounded by the Spanish SOL
diery, were outnumbered, and had no means
of escape. In three different engagements
they repulsed the Spanish; but their enc
mics number daily Increased, while Crit
tenden'S command he'd dwindled to fifty
men. Seeing that it was hopeless to try to
hold out any longer, Crittenden ordered his
men into boats and put out to sea, hoping
that some friendly vessel might pick them
up and bear them safely away. In this
they were disappointed, for the Spanish au-
thorities were as alert on the water as on
the land, and they were soon run down
and captured by q. gunboat: They were put
in irons, inhumanly treated and hurried to
Havana, where they were thrown into pris-
on and given the treatment accorded to
their arms were et corded behind them at 1 the
wrist so tightly as to cause their hands to
swell to double their former size. Without
authorities decided that they should be shot
to death.
CRITTENDENS LETTER.
The day after their arrival in Havana,
Aug. 16. 1851, they were summoned from
their prison cells and told to prepare for
death. The only privilege accorded them
was that of writing farewell letters to
their families. Colonel Crittenden availed
himself of the opportunity, and addressed
letter to his friend. DR.. Lucien Hensley.
1t will be noted that in 1t he reproaches
General Lopez, which was only natural
under the circumstances. as he was not
aware of the fate that befell Lopez and
with others, through the United States le-
cation, to America. and in due time was
published in nearly every paper in the
cution. The letter is as follows:
Dear Lucien-In half an hour l. with
fifty others. am TO be shot. We were TAX
en- prisoners yesterday. We were in small
boats. General Lopez separated the bal
ance of the command from me. / had with
me about lOO-was attacked by two bat
horse. The odds too great and
strange TO tell, | was not furnished with a
single musket cartridge. Lopez did not get
write 10 any of my family. II the truth
ever comes out. you will find that 1 did
my duty. and have the perfect, confidence
of every man with me. We had retired
from the field. and were going to sea. and
were overtaken by the Spanish steamer
Habanero, and captured. Tell General Hus-
ton that his nephew got separated from me
on the 18th, and that / have not seen him
since. He may have struggled off and
joined Lopez, who advanced rapidly to the
interior. My people. however were entirely
surrounded on every side. We saw that we
had been deceived grossly, and were max
ing for the United States when taken, Dur
ing my short journey in this island. L have
not met a single patriot. We landed some
forty or fifty miles westward of this and
Lopez has no friends When | was attacked
Lopez was only three miles off If he had
nor been deceiving US as 10 the state of
things, he would have fallen back with his
force and made fight, instead OF which he
marched on Immediately to the interior.
Il am requested TO get you to tell Mr.
Green of the custom house that his brother
shares my fate. Victor Ker is also with
me. also Stanford. / recollect no others of
your acquaintance at present. / will die
like a man. My heart has not failed me
yet, nor do I believe it will. Communicate
with my family.
This is an incoherent letter, but the cir
cumstances must excuse it. My hands are
swollen 10 double their thickness, resulting
from having them too tightly corded for
let him write to my mother / am afraid
that the news will break her heart. NV
heart beats warmly towards her now
Farewell Ny love to all my friends I am
sorry die owing cent, but it is inevitable
Yours. strong in heart,
''W. l.. CRITTENDEN.
ITO Dr. Lucien Hensley."
At the expiration of the half hour given
the prisoners in which TO write home, they