The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-06-29
"REMsMBER cRITTeNDEN."
The Battle Cry of the Kentuokians Who
VIII Fight for Cuba's Freedom.

Remember Crittenden" will be the
battle cry of every Kentuckian who lands
to fight on Cuban soil. Nearly half
century ago Kentucky blood was spilled
there in the cause of Cuban freedom, ana
the bones of William Logan Crittenden
and his men lie In some unmarked spot
in the city Of Havana. They lost their
lives in flihustering expedition which
was unsuccessful because the unexpected
uprising Of the Cubans to AID IL never
took place. OF the $50 kentuckians
whom he had fifty were killed in battle,
as many more escaped, and the others
were captured with their leader. Every
one of the captives was shot
Narcigo Lopez, a native Venezuelan,
who had lived for many years in Cuba,
was the organizer OF the expedition His
first attempt, in 1S49, was frustrated by
the United States authorities. A year
later he succeeded in landing force at
Cardenas, but was driven back and forced
to take to his boats and return to Florida.
Still, he was not discouraged, and in
August, 1851, 500 men, including Crit
tenden's Kentuckians, sailed from New
Orleans and landed on Aug. Is at Moril-
10. Lopez had spread enthusiastic re-
ports of how the Cubans would rise to
meet them, and their little force would
be nucleus for an army which was to
spring into being instantly, thousands
strong. He had misreckoned. Only a
few struggling natives joined him. The
Spanish attacked the invaders at once,
.A~,lL 81 Il
bore the brunt of the attack, and, driven
back by greatly superior numbers, took
to the woods, leaving third OF their
number on the field of battle. In this
way 90 of them, with Crittenden himself,
were captured and taken to Havana.
LopeZ's main force had already been sur
rounded, and the Venezuelan was after
ward garroted in Havana, some of his fol-
lowers being shot and others pardoned.
1t was decided that the Americans should
be put to death by military execution.
Tightly bound with ropes, they We're
brought into Havana and kept confined
for eighteen hours, after which they were
led forth to their death.
In platoons of six they were made to
kneel facing Tile of soldiers, and were
shot. Crittenden, when hidden to get to
his knees, replied:
ga Kentuckian kneels only to his
God.''
he was snoG standing. Inc Dou1eS OF
the victims were thrown into a trench.
An hour before the execution the hands
of the captives were united and they were
notified that they would have half an
hour in which to write any messages or
letters they wished sent. Col. Critten-
den wrote to his friend, Lucien Hensley:
''This is an incoherenu letter, but the
circumstances must excuse it. My hands
are swollen TO double their natural thick
ness, resulting from having them too
tightly corded for the last eighteen hours.
Write John (Col. Crittenden's Erother)
and let him write to my mother I am
afraid that the news will break her heart.
Ny heart beats warmly for her now.
Farewell. My love 20 all my triends''
Some few of Crittenden's men escaped
ana put back for Florida in the vessel
which had brought them over, pursued
by the Spanish warship Pizarro Men
were stationed at the magazine to blow
up the ship, should capture become GER
tain. They reached Florida by a narrow
margin, the warship having fired on
them. but with poor aim. Col. Clitten-
uen was q nephew of John j. Critten-
den, ex-senator from kentucky, and a
brother of ex-Gov. Thomas L. CrittGnden
of Missouri. He was IS years old at the
time of his execution.