The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1897-01-02
SURRENDERED AND WERE SHOT
The Fate Of Hand Of xentuckians In
Cube Forty-Five Years Ago.

Cube Forty-Fivs Years Ago.
The active part Kentuckians art
taking in the movement toward
sending assistance to the Cubans
says a correspondent in the St
Louis Republic. recalls one of thu
most bloody tragedies that evel
robbed this commonwealth Of gal
liant sons.
In the summer of 1851. Colone
William L. Crittenden of Louisville
a brother of Ex-Governor Thomas
Crittenden of Missouri, recruited
about so Kentuckians to 60 10 Cubs
to the assistance of the patriots, who
were engaged at that time in des.
ultory warfare against the Spanish
oppressors. Among those who &C
companied Colonel Crittenden was
Captain Victor Kerr, Lieutenant
Charles Green. Lieutenant William
Standiford, John Fisher and Gil.
man A. Cook. The names of the
others cannot be recalled.
The little band left Louisville
early in August, fully armed and
squipped for war. They succeeded
in landing on the island, after hav-
ing been joined by nearly SO others
from several of the Southern States.
Two days after landing, and while
marching toward the rendezvous Of
the patriots, Colonel Crittenden g
band was attacked by 700 Spanish
soldiers. The Americans occupied
an advantageous position when the
attack was made, and for SO hours
they kept the Spaniards at bay. By
this time they had exhausted nearly
their whole stock Of ammunition,
and, as the men were completely
worn out by the long battle, Colonel
Crittenden, after hasty consulta-
ton with his officers, decided to
surrender. A flag of truce was sent
to the Spanish line and was courte-
ously received by the commander,
who promised the Americans that
they would receive honorable treat
ment as prisoners of war if they
surrendered. Accordingly, Colonel
Crittenden surrendered.
The next morning at sunrise the
Colonel and II Of the 80 men cap.
tured were marched out to be ex.
ecuted. The men were made to
kneel with their backs toward the
firing squad. Colonel Crittenden
protested against the execution,
calling attention to the agreement
made before the surrender. He was
CURLY informed by the Spanish
commander that there was no war
in Cuba, that the revoiutionists were
only bandits, aud that they were
shot whenever captured.
He then ordered the soldiers to
lead Colonel Crittenden to the line
where his men were kneeling and
ordered him to kneel also, with his
back toward the Spanish soldiers.
The Colonel, who was, a splendid
type of Kentucky manhood, tore
himself loose from the soldiers,
Strengthening up to his full height,
looked the commander in the face
and exclaimed.
Il am a Kentuckian, sir; and
kentuckian never turns his back
on his foe and never kneeis save to
his God T.
The commander gave the order
to fire, and Crittenden, as well as
his men, poured out their likelihood
on Cuban soil.
When the news reached the United
States that the intrepid Crittenden
and his band had been shot to death
after making an honorable surren-
der, the indignation of the people
knew no bounds. Mass meetings
were held all over the country and
ringing resolutions Of indignation
were adopted. Petitions were cir
culated and numerously signed,
asking President Fillmore to de-
clare war with Spain for the butch.
cry of American citizens. So strong
was public opinion against the out
rage that the President promptly
dispatched the steam frigate Sar-
anic, Commodore Parker, to inquire
into the circumstances of the kill
ing Of Colonel Crittenden and his
men. He found that the United
States Consul at Havana had been
derelict in his duty, and on recon-
mendation Of Commodore Parker,
Mr.. Owens was recalled.
This occurred As years ago, and
KentuckiaLs to-day seem to be as
anxious to rush to the defense of
the downtrodden Cubans as they
were in the ante-bellum days. Not
only the white sons Of Kentucky
seek to assist the people Of Cuba,
but the negroes also are intent on
going to that unfortunate island.