The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-12-26


cessful voyages, but was captured by the
federals off Wilmington with 100000 in gold
on board. Carried 10 Washington she was
renamed the Hornet armed and became
president Lncoln's cruiser. After the war
she lay idle for several years, and was pur-
chased by a gentleman who sold her to me-
While lying at a dock at Philadelphia she
was seized as a suspicious character by re-
quest of the Spanish minister. ana her coal
released and / cleared for Liverpool. but
put into Halifax under stress of weather
My MY going to Liyerpool was ,,; simply abr ruse
AT Halifax the Hornet was again seized
by the request of Spain. but nothing con-
traband was found and she again re-
leased. Admiral Higgins came on board at
Halifax TO take passage for Liverpool 10
purchase vessel for the Cuban govern
boat was the very one he wanted, and the
sale transferring the boat 10 him was made
by the light of a full moon on the deck:
We equipped her with arms and men on
the coast of Massachusetts,. She came out
as a full-hedged cruiser, with twenty-six
officers and nearly three hundred men and
/ had the honor Of raising the first Cuban
f1ae on the ocean over an armed deck and
delivering the commissions signed by
Cespedes President of the Cuban republic,
to her officers. The career of the Cuba,
as the vessel was then named was short
lived. she was compelled afterward TO
haul down her flag 10 the nited states
government
During the time he lighting for Cuba
Colonel Ingraham was colonel OF cavalry
navy. He knows the Cuban leaders en-
gagged in the present struggle and Is also
personally acquainted with the methods
of some of the Spanish generals. Colonel
Ingraham entertains the highest opinion
of Antonio Maceo. now reported killed. and
says of him: 'Maceo was mulatto and
fine-looking man. He had eleven brothers
and two sisters Seven brothers were killed
in the ten years war. and one. Jose Maceo
was killed in the present war. Two other
brothers survive and live in Costa Rica.
They are cripples from wounds received
i'm the ten years war. Antonio Maceo was
very well educated and had devoted much
of his time TO Journalism. He had Travelled
much in this country, South America ana
Mexico, and had visited the United states
several times. He was a natural born pa
triot. polished in his manner and thor
ough gentleman. ! rode with him all one
night and was Was very ,d IaNorapg neTsr yaye nown
in the dark. from his language or accent
that he was not white man. He was
wounded twenty-seven times with shell
machete saber and bayonet. He was
dashng horseman and splendid rider,
who would ride through anything. On one
occasion he came aboard our vessel. landed
at Cuba with arms and ammunition, when
the word came that Spanish troops were
self went out with his men and literally
cut the Spanish soldiers TO pieces.
The stories of cruelties inflicted upon pris-
oners and defenseless women and children
by Weyler and his troops are not over
drawn. Colonel Ingraham says. "Weyler,
he says sis known as the hyena. which is
Spanish generals are trying TO emulate him
i'm his cruelty. No story of Spanish cruelty
can be overdrawn. Weyler is not a fighter.
His harshness rather than his military abil-
ity has gained him his prestige. Campos,
Weyler's predecessor in Cuba. is humane
man. a gentleman and soldier therefore,
he did not suit in Cuba. If Maceo is dead.
his death will only give an impetus TO the
Cuban cause. His successor Ruiz Rivera.
is one OF the best soldiers and generals in
Cuba, and MaceO had great confidence in
him. He is a white man, man OF great
ability. "A native Cuban. man of educa-
ton. and has probably more ambition than
Maceo had"
Colonel Ingraham continued: Il look to
see Cuba gain her independence this time.
and | think the crisis is but little way
off. | admire President Cleveland course @
Spain wants war with the United States.
The funniest part of IL all is that the Span
iards think they can whip US But they
cannot. war between them and US would
be a short and bloody conflict and Spain
would be badly whipped. Our navy can
whip hers, vessel for vessel, and while she
may may have more boats than we have.
Spanish vessels would be manned by Amer
leans and fighting under our flag. With
such men as Tomas Estrada Palma at the
head of affairs, il is ridiculous to talk about
Cuba being a fight ~ and for negroes
Palma is one OF the best men in Cuba. and
/ look TO see him President soon. and as
such it will not be long before he makes
his mark. In Cuba there are but 400 900
and Chinese combined. while there are
| LOO 900 white people. Not 25 per cent. of
| the cuban army is composed of negroes
| There is a much larger American interest
| on the island than most people suppose
| Cuba. is destined to become a State of our
| become healthful, fertile and prosper
| Gus land"