The Green Forest tribune., 1898-03-10
He Gave Up His Life.

An American kneeis only to hls God and always faces his enemy"
 With these words Col. W. L. Criten- den, brother of Ex- Gov T. T. Critten- den, died on Cuban soil AZ years ago. says the Kansas City Star. He gave up his life for what he thought was right-the freedom of Cuba. He died like a brave American. and the reeolec- ton of bis death at this time is signih- cant, for 1t was his action, with that with his compatriots, that started Spain's pot Of hatred boiling, and it may be considered the indirect cause of the war cloud now lowering over the United States.
 Col, Crittenden and fifty comrades who had gone to Cuba at the solicita- ton of Gen. Lopez, and had joined the latter's band in the fight for freedom, were captured and were all shot to death by Spanish soldiers. They went there with the same patriotic motives that inspired Lafayette to espouse the cause of the colonies in their struggle for independence.
 About this time Gen. Narciso Lopez arrived in that city and so impressed the young soldier that he, with several hundred others, joined him and set sail to Cuba. Mr Crittenden was made colonel. Few came back alive. and the colonel was among those who were destined to die by Spanish mus- kots. How his portion of the expedi- tion fared is best told by letter he wrote to Dr. Hensley, New Orleans friend, just before the soldiers were shot. The letter is still in the posses sion of Gov. T. T. Crttenden, and reads as follows:
 SH1P.oF- WAR, EsPERANzA,
 August IS, 1851,
 DEAR LUCIAN-In half an hour [, with fifty other, am to be shot We were taken prisoners yesterday. We were in small boats, Gen. Lopez having separated the rest of the command from me. l had with me about 100 and was attacked by two batalIions of infantry and one company of officers. The odds were too great, and, strange to tell, 1 was not furnIshel with single musket cartridge. Lopez did not get any ar tellery. l have not the heart to write to any of my family. If the truth ever comes out you will find did my duty and have perfect confidence of every man with me. We had retired from the field, were going to sea and were overtaken by the Spanish steamer Hebanro and captured. < < My people were entirely surrounded on every side. We saw that we had been deceived grossly and were making for the United States when taken. three miles of. If he had not been deceiving us as to the state of things he would have fallen back with his forces and made fight, instead of which he marched on immediately to the in teriOr.
 am requested to get vou to tell MT. Green of the custom house that hls brother shares my fate. Victor Kerr is also with me. Also Stanford. I recoIect no others of your acquaintance at present. I will die like man. My heart has not failed me yet, nor do l believe it will. Communicate with my family,
 This is an ia coherent letter, but the circumstances must excuse it. My hands are swollen to double their thickness, resulting from having them too tightly corded for the last eighteen hours. Write to John aud let him write to my mother. 1 am afraid the news will break her heart. My heart beats warmly for her now. Farewell. Love to all my friends.
 Yours, strong in heart,
 W. l.. CRITTENDEN.
 These ffty-one men were taken ashore at Ft A tares and one by one were shot. The custom was that each should kneel before he was put to death. Col. Crittenden's turn came next to last. " hen told to kpeel he refused saving:
 An American kneels only to his God and always faces his enemy.
 Better Than Wealth