The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-30
"REMEMBnn CRITENDEN.v
she battle Cry of the <entucISians
NhO win Fight for Cuba's Free

From the New York Sun.
Remember Crlttenden" viii be the bat
tie cry of every Kenuckian who lands to
Asht on Cuban soil. Nearly half a een-
fury ago Kentucky blood was spilled there
In the cause Of Cuban freedom, and che
homes of William Logan Cnttenden and
his men lie in some unmarked spot in The
city Of Havana. They lost their lives in
tilibusteung expedition which was I'M
successful because che expected uprising
of the Cubons to aid il never took place
Of the so Kentucki9ns whom he had fifty
were killed in batle, as many more es-
capped, and the others were captured with
their leader. Every one Of the captiyes
were shot,
NQrcisco Lopez, a native Venezuelan,
who had lived for many years in Cuba,
was the organizer OF the expedition His
first attempt in 1919 was frustrated by
the United States authorities. A year La
ter he succeeded in landing a force al
Cardenas but was driven back and forced
to take to his boats and return to Florida.
SIN, he wac NOT discouraged, and N Au-
gust 1857. 500 men, including Crittenden's
Kentuckians. sailed from New orleans and
lana5d on Aug. Is, az Morillo. Lopez had
spread enthusas lie reports of how the
Cubans would rise TO meet them, and their
hstle force would be a nucleus for an army
which was 20 spring into being instantly,
thousands strong. lie had misreckoned.
Only a few struggling natives Joined aim.
The Spanish attacked the invaders at
once and routed them. Crtteudens COM
nza nd bore the brunt of the attack. and,
driven back by greatly superior numbers,
took to the woods, leaving a third of their
number on the field of battle. In this way
fifty Of them. with Crittendeu himself.
were captured and taken TO Havana.
Lopezs main force had already been
surrounded, and the Venezuelan was af-
reward garroted in Havana, some of his
followers be ng shot and others pardoned
Ii was decided that the Americans should
he put to death by military execution
Tightly bound with ropes, they were
brought into Havana ana kept confined
for eighteen hours. after which they were
led forth TO their death.
In platoons Of six they were made to
kneei facing a file OF soldiers, and were
thot. Crttenden. when hidden 10 get on
pis knees, replied:
E"A Kentuckian kneeis only to his God"
lie was shot standing. The bodies Of
the victims were thrown into a trench.
An hour before the execution the hands
of the capt.ves were united, and they were
notified that they would have half an
hour IN which 20 write any messages or
letters they wished sent. Col Critienden
wrote to a friend, Lucien Henslcy
This is an incohercnt letter, but the
circumstances must excuse Il. Ny hands
are swollen to double their natural thick
ness, resulting from having them too
tightly corded for the last eighteen hours.
Write John (Col. Crittendens brother)
aud let him write to my mother. / am
afraid chat the news will break her heart
My heart beats warmly for her now.
Farewell My love TO all my friends"
Some few Of Crittenden's men escaped
ard put back for Florida in the vessel
which had brought them over, pushed by
The Spanish warshlp Pizzano Men were
stationed at the magazine TO blow up the
ship, should capture become certain
They reached Florida by narrow mar
gin, the warship having fired on them
but witch poor aim. Col. Crttendon was
nephew Of John j. Crttendon. ex-sen-
ator from Kentucky. and a brother of ex-
Gov Thomas r. Crittenden OF Missouri
He WAS 2S years old at the time Of his ex-
ecuticn.