The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-12-20
FATE OF CRITrENDEy HIS MEN,
Spanish Treachery That Brought Them to
Death In Cuba In 1851.

Spoulbn ArencnerY 1nnt wrought Them to
Death In Cuba In 1881.
LEXINGTON. KY, Dec. 19.-The active part
Kentuckians are taxing In the movement to
send assistance to tho Cuhans recalls ono OF the
most shocking events that ever robbed this COM
monwealth OF gallant sons.
In the summer of 1851 Col. William l.. Crit.
tenden OF Louisville. n brother of ex-Gov.
Thomas Crittenden of Missouri. recruited about
fifty Kentuckians to go to Cuba to the assist
ance Of the patriots. who were engaged at that
time In a desultory warfare against the Spanish.
Among those who accompanied Col. Crittenden
were Capt. Victor Kerr. Lieut.. Charles Green.
Lieut.. William Standiford. John Fisher, and
Gilman A. Cook. The names of the others can
not be recalled. The little band left Louisville
early in August fully armed and equipped for
war. They succeeded In landing on the island
after having been Joined By nearly fifty others
from several of the Southern States. Two days
after landing and while marching toward the
rendezvous of the patriots Col. Crittendep's
band Was attacked by 700 Spanish soldiers.
The Americans occupied an nd advantageous
position when the attack was made, and for
thirty-six hours they kept the spaniards at
bay. When they had exhausted nearly their
whole stock OF ammunition and the men were
completely worn out by tho long battle, Col.
Crittenden. after q hasty consultation with his
officers. decided to surrender. A flag OF truce
was sent 10 the Spanish lines and was courteous.
~ received by the commander. who promised
the Americans that they would receive honor
able treatment as prisoner OF war II they sur
rendered. Accordingly, Col. Crlttenden sur
The next morning at sunrise the Colonel and
tured were marched out to be executed. The
men were made to kasel with their backs to-
tested against the execution, calling attention
to the agreement made, before the surrender.
lie was cprtly, Informed ~ the Spanish com.
mander that there was no war In Cuba, that
the revolutionists were only bandits and that
they were shot whenever captured, He then
the line where his men were kneeling. and
ordered him to kneel also, with his back toward
splendid type Of Kentucky manhood. tore him.
self loose from the soldiers. and STRENGTHENING
up TO his fun height. Looked the commander In
Fam a Kentnckian. sir. and q Kentuckian
never turns his back ON his foe and never kneels
The commander gave the order IN fire. and
GGrittendsn as well as his men poured out their
When tho news reached tho United States
that the Intrepid Crittenden and his band had
been shot TO death after making an honorable
bounds. Mass meetings were held ali over the
country and resolutions, of INDIGNATION were
ident Fillmore to declare war against s spain for
the butchery OF, American citizens. So strong
was public opinion against the outrage that tho
frlgate Saranac. Commodore Parker, to inquire
into the circumstances Of the killing Of Col.
Crittenden and his men. He found that United
States Consul Owen at Havana had been dere.
lict in his duty. and, on the recommendation of
Commodore Parker. Mr.. Owen was recalled.
This occurred forty-fve years ago. and Ken
tuckians to-day seem 20 he as anxious To rush 10
the defence q the downtroddsn Cnnans as they
lucky seek to assist the people nj Cuba. but the
negroes are Also intent on going to that unfor-
tunate island. II war should occur between this
country and Spain. Kentnckians would he found
at the front ready IA aveDge the crime commit
ted against the gallant sons OF the State nearly
o half century ago.