Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-07


conversation with the men Of the com
many on the subject of military expert
ences.
.Oh. yes. I've seen the horrors OF
war, said the Dispatch man, knocking
the ashes from his cigarette in a man
ner that indicated that he was not par
ticularly disposed to talk about un-
plea experiences, but when ne
found that the soldiers were interested
in a probably good story, he contln-
ued.
Eyes. ii .as down in Central Amer
lea, during the spring of 1887. l was IN
business il New Orleans and lived IN
the house with a young Creole, whose
father was a distinguished member Of
General Beauregard's staff during the
war between the States. This Creole
was an adventurous sort of a fellow,
who would fight any thing in the world.
He met one day an Englishman named
Drummond, who had been in New
Orleans for several weeks on mission
of q secret nature, and over table
at the Cosmopolitan they got on
friendly terms under the inspiring
stimulus of q few absinthe-atisettes.
"Drummond told my Creole TREND,
whose name was not far from Romas-
peron, that he was in New Orleans to
Central America, and assist a body OF
revolutionists to overthrow the govern
ment of Spanish Honduras. His move
Z ments were being conducted with the
greatest secrecy, as the Spanish con-
sui had been instructed to watch out
for him, and the United States officials
of the Revenue Department were very
apt to anticipate the departure OF any
considerable body Of men for Central
American port. Drunmond laid bare
enough OF his scheme to excite the
adventurous spirit of Romasperon,
and the latter made an engagement
with me to meet Drummond and hear
his plan for the seizure of Honduras.
1--WE met at the old Absinthe house,
corner Cont and Bourbon streets, and
while the proprietor was mixing us
three 'Suissesses we had plenty OF
time to discuss the proposed invasion.
Drummond was about six feet tall,
with raven black hair, and pair OF
black eyes that looked as if the owner
would dare to do anything on earth
eyes that were almost irresistible In
their penetrating power. He mad
presence that suggested command
era man to lead men in trying, con-
ditions. There was bold abandon
in his general appearance, and If he
think we would have done it. AS a re-
suit of the interview Ronasperon and
L agreed tc accompany the expedition,
which was composed Of young men
from Mississippi, Kansas, and Texas,
with a sprinkling of New Orleans fell
lows who were hunting experience of
the very kind that Drummond had to
offer.
"Romasperon was commissioned
lieutenant-colonel. [ was made cap
tain of the engineers, for Drummond
believed that my knowledge of sur
veying would be useful to him in his
military movements Drummond had
plenty Of money. He exhibited big
rolls of bills, and drew drafts on a
certain New York establishment with
a regularity that opened our eyes. He
showed us where he had stored In
New Orleans $50 Winchester rifles,
with thousands of rounds of cartridges,
with which he intended to equip his
regiment. AS an inducement to us to
accompany him, Drunlmond offered US
q a. salary. Of $3.50 a month each, and q
share in certain land. which he said
belonged to the company he represent
ed in New York, but which ! after
ward found belonged to the Govern
ment of Spanish Honduras, and which
he expected to capture and parcel out
to us, as Captain Kidd would to his
buccaneers.
LAS my work in New Orleans ended
in June, and had vacation for
three months, decided to espouse
Drummond's cause. There were just
eighty-three of us that left New Or
leans that June. OF course, we did
not dare to go together, for that would
Of roo tod Of of ho
Spanish consul, and the Government
authorities. We left by whatever
route we could. Some went on fruit
steamers from New Orleans, some
went from Mobile, and others took the
Southern Pacific route to Texas, and
left for Texas ports Arrangements
were made by Drummond fer our
transportation, and we got off without
arousing any suspicion. The trip to
Port Limon, our landing place, was
without any unusual happenings
when we landed we laid around
the town singly.. while, iDrummond ar
ranged to get the arms and ammuni-
ton to a place Of safety. where we
could get hold of them Romasperon
spoke French and Spanish, and was
very valuable man to the party. We
assembled at a point about five miles
from the town, and Drummond unfold
ed his plan to u.s. It was understood
that he was to be Joined by party
Of revolutionists about three hundred
in number, and the entire force was to
move against Tesucigalpo, the capital
of Honduras, about five hundred
strong.
preparations were Immediately
made for the trip over the mountains
to the capital city. Our revolutionary
allies were to meet us at point about
twenty miles from Tegucigalpo with
supply of commissary stores that
Drummond had bought and shipped
to Port Limon some time previous. 1t
was rough trip across the noun
tains. We could not follow the regu-
lar road, Of course, and had to make
our way along narrow bride paths,
and for the greater part Of the way
through broken tl1ickets After days
travel we went into camp in pretty
little valley. Everything was attract
i've enough except the supper, for we
were on field rations, and they were
very limited. But the boys were en-
couraged with the statement that our
allies WOULD come up during the night,
and there would be plenty to eat at
breakfast.
There We're no weaklings in the lit
tie army, as subsequent developments
proved, and the novelty Of the thing
and the attending excitement prevent
us from getting very hungry. Out
posts were stationed. and, a partial
military discipline was maintained.
Knocking around the camp that night,
met young fellow from Arkansas,
who had been at the Virginia Military
Institute several years before. He