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YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

THE

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES

CUBAN EXPEDITION,

FROM THE FIRST MOVEMENTS DOWN TO THE DISPERSION OF THE ARMY
AT KEY WEST, AND THE ARREST OF GENERAL LOPEZ,

also:

AN ACCOUNT OF THE TEN DESERTERS AT ISLA DE MUGERES.

BY LIEUTENANT HARDY,

OP THE KENTUCKY BATTALION.

PUBLISHED
BY LORENZO STRATTON,
No. 131 MAIN STREET, CINCINNATI.
1850.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1850, by
LORENZO STRATTON,
In the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Western
District of Ohio.

Cincinnati Gazette Office, — Wright, Ferris & Co. Printers.

HISTORY AND ADYENTURES

OF THE

CUBAN EXPEDITION.

~^hl<^§^tK^-~

PAET I.
ENLISTMENT AND EMBARKATION OF THE
KENTUCKY BATTALION.
The strenuous vigilance of Presi
dent Taylor had stifled the Cuban
Patriots in New York ; the men whom
they had assembled on Round Island
had been captured by U. S. vessels,
and brought back; a large quantity of
munitions had been seized ; considera
ble sums of revolutionary money were
consequently lost, and "the cause" suf
fered a serious check. But nothing
could, or can, shake the determination
and confidence of General Lopez, in
the final accomplishment of the grand
aim to which his life has been devoted
— the liberation of Cuba from Spanish
domination." His friends in New
York still continued to give him as
surances that the Expedition should
be set afloat from that city. The next
time they would be more prudent than
to let such a "Bagpvind " as Bennett, of
the Herald, into the secrets ; who, by
his continual allusions to the subject,
mysterious hints, and flaming articles
in favor of Cuban Independence,

brought the patriotic operations to
public notice, and challenged the vigi"
lance of the Government officers.
General Lopez waited sometime on
the movements of his friends in the
East, but finding them so timid and
dilatory, he at length resolved to rest
his hopes upon men of the bold West
and chivalric South. Accordingly,
early in the Spring he left New York,
and travelled incog, down the Ohio
and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans
— stopping at different places in Ken
tucky, Tennessee and Mississippi, to
confer with those interested in the
Cuban project, and arrange matters
for the speedy sailing of the Expedi
tion from the "Crescent City."
It needs not be said that he found many
gallant and gifted young men, ready, to
become soldiers of fortune — willing to
respond to the simultaneous calls of
the oppressed for sympathy and assist
ance; of ambition to "glory or the
grave; and the allurements of golden
ease in the "Garden of the World" —
so sure to be the reward of those who
victoriously survived the desperate

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

struggle. And who might not survive
it! The brave soldier in battle never
imagines that he is doomed to fall un
til he feels his life-blood gushing forth!
A short time after this, the Queen
City of Cincinnati, and the adjacent
country in Kentucky, was considerably
excited, and still more considerably
puzzled, by the sudden announcement
of Captain Hardy, organizing a com
pany for California, the terms of which
were most singular and extravagant.
The qualifications required of those
who joined this company were, that
they should be the best quality of ro
bust, active, brave, and adventurous
young Americans. Now, such men
were not the sort a mining speculator
would desire to employ for labor in
the "Diggins," at more than ten dol
lars per day, and all expenses paid —
for one year ; and so a great many very
long-headed and remarkably sharp-
sighted persons hereabout, soon made
the wonderful discovery that the afore
said Captain was not going to the
real Sacramento Valley! But, where
was he going, then? That was the
question! Why, to Cuba, said one,
scarcely knowing whether to believe
himself or not. To the Great Salt
Lake of the Mormons, said another;
to dispossess and pillage the "Latter
Day Saints," who were said to have
piles of the "dust." Or to Hayti,
imagined a third — to knock the tinsel
crown off the curly noggin of his re
cently-created majesty, Faustin I. In
fact, this company, according to ma-
dame Rumor, was going anywhere
but to California proper ; and would

engage in anything but the business of
grinding gold out of mountain quartz.
It might be, as was sneakingly sur
mised, that there was a little cruise of
piracy in the wind !
Notwithstanding all these doubts
and suspicions, the excitement waxed
warmer every day. The spirit of ad
venture became fully aroused. Young
men of fine prospects, staunch charac
ter, and creditable intelligence, flocked
to the standard. They cared not
where it was to be planted, so it should
be the emblem of a noble cause, and
those who flung it to the breeze peril
all in its defence. More than five
hundred men offered themselves in one
week. Captain Hardy continued to receive
letters from highly respectable and re
liable sources, full of details, promises
and inducements, the most flattering
and seductive. One said:
"After an interview with General
Lopez, some three weeks since, in
L  , en route southward — our plan
was agreed upon. * * * * * *
Such is the condition of things in
Cuba that we must hasten our arrival.
Everything there is ready for the
rising. From a mass of authentic
correspondence recently from there,
and from the highest sources, Gen. L.
is resolved to proceed thither without
delay — convinced that it will not do
to delay longer. I have seen all this
correspondence, and am convinced
that the revolution is not only imi-
nent, but certainly and entirely practi
cable. * * * The terms on which
the men are to engage are, principally,

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

5

that they shall receive the pay, &c,
as are allowed in the U. S. Army,
and, at the end of one year (or sooner
if the revolution is completed before),
a bounty of $4,000 in money or lands
in Cuba. The officers are offered
high rank in the future permanent
Army of the Republic, and at the
same time with the men are to receive
a bounty of $10,000. These high in
ducements are offered, because the Ex
pedition wears on its face the hue of
great hazard, and men who will em
bark, in it at this period will of course
possess the highest merit. And, more
over, the future Government of the
Republic can easily bear such a light
burthen in consideration of so great a
boon. * * * The General is now
in New Orleans preparing a steamer,
the arms, &c, &c. *****
In a letter just received from Wash
ington I learn that a number of Hun
garian refugees have offered their ser
vices, with some artillery. Good

news

l"

From another letter the following: —
"We will not, I think, be able to
start south before about the 1st of
April, or a few days sooner or later.
However, be ready to start at a day
or two's notice. You say you are
ready — I am gratified at your prompt
ness, and can but applaud your ac
tivity. I hope your men are of the
right stripe. We want the best quali
ty of young, adventurous Americans.
No Dutch or foreigners of any kind,
and as many Kentuckians as possible.
Men who can be relied on in all emer
gencies." * * *

But that which fully convinced and
decided Capt. H. and his coadjutors,
was the following brilliant account of
the fitting out at the South :
"I have this moment received the
most important intelligence from New
Orleans — of the extension of our or
ganization by a Battalion of 500 or
more men in Mississippi, a fine bat
tery of artillery, and one of mountain
howitzers, and other additions which
will strengthen the expedition to al
most the certainty of success. * * *
Be extremely cautious as we are now
in the very crisis of the affair, when
there is the greatest necessity for the
most exquisite secrecy. The most
distinguished men in Mississippi have
now taken actively hold of the affair,
and are engaged in raising a force of
the very flower of the Mississippi
Volunteers in Mexico. I consider the
present favorable aspect of affairs as
making the success of the Revolution
beyond a doubt. They have already se
cured two steamers in New Orleans,
capable of carrying more than a thou
sand men. The organization of the
auxilaries, or Reserve Army, that is
to come after us to the Island in a
short time after we land, is going on
bravely at the South. I tell you we
are going to have glorious work! if no
untoward event occurs to mar our
movements. Be active, my brave fel
lows! You shall receive the due re
wards from the New Republic."
This was enough — what more could
be asked! Such a chance to carve
out fame and fortune with the sword
of Liberty, or at least to die gloriously

6

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

"mid the noble and the brave," had
not been offered since the Age of
Chivalry. Such inducements, in these
days of political enterprise and demo
cratic progress, had something like
the same degree of influence upon the
impatient spirits to whom they were
addressed, that the pious and pathetic
ravings of "Peter, the Hermit," exer
cised over the superstitiously religious
masses who followed his banner to
rescue the supulchre of Christ! The
work of enlistment went bravely on.
The complement was soon made up.
All now was impatience to be off !
At last the order came to move.
Notice was then given for all to be
aboard the Martha Washington, by 4
o'clock on Thursday afternoon, .the
4th of April. After taking the Ohio
boys (about one hundred and twenty) on
board, the steamer passed over to Cov
ington after night, where the Ken*
tuckians embarked. Then ho! for
New Orleans! The rushing waters
of the Ohio and Mississippi will soon
bear us to that distant port, yet we
will have time enough before reaching
it, to make a few observations on the
leading and prominent personages on
board. The boat is crowded with one
hundred and seventy adventurers.
First, without ceremony, we will
walk into the ladies' cabin, which has
been taken possession of by embryo
officers of the future " Liberating
Army of Cuba." The first figure that
here strikes attention is, of course,
Major William Hardy. A soldier
of the Mexican war, in the Second
Kentucky regiment^ but a remnant of

which came back from the bloody
charges of Buena Vista, orphaned of
their chieftains, the coolly courageous
McKee, and ardent, intrepid young
Henry Clay, — he acquired his mili
tary knowledge in actual service. Capt.
H. is a Kentuckian, "born and bred,"
with all the bold characteristics of that
sterling State. A democrat in poli
tics, with sentiments and impulses ever
ready to be enlisted in the cause of
popular rights and elevation, whether
to be contended for on the " stump,"
or with weapons to tyrants and oppres
sors more eloquent than words. He is
about twenty-five years of age, has a
tall and athletic frame, and counte
nance uncommonly expressive. He
seems, as we view him in the cabin
Of the Martha Washington, in good
spirits, but quite serious and reflective.
He has cause to be thoughtful. His
all is staked on this enterprise, and it
has just set out on a career of dangers
and vicissitude. But he is extremely
confident of success with half a chance
at the governmental pirates and extor
tioners who sway with steel the "pre
cious Antille."
We next look upon Capt. Henry
Robinson, of Cincinnati He, too,
stood ifpon the field of Buena Vista,
in the same regiment with Capt. H.,
and served through the Mexican war,
under both Taylor and Scott, from its
commencement until peace was made.
At an early age he witnessed warlike
arrays and operations in the Black
Hawk war, and he now ranks as one
of the most effective military men in
this State. He is likewise about

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

twenty-five years of age ; has a plea
sing face, and well proportioned frame.
It was but a night or so since he be
came acquainted with the nature, ob
jects, &c , of the Expedition ; but he
at once joined it, and is now eager for
active service. He also belongs to
the "Young Democracy" of Old
Hamilton ; but is more devoted to the
military profession than to politioal
strife. Dr. Sam. Scott, the fatherly guide
and counsellor of the gallant and true-
hearted Florence Kentucky boys, next
rises to notice-~about six feet two
inches! Certainly one of the most
considerate, even-tempered and clever-
hearted gentlemen anywhere. It will
be his part to heal and save, not wound
and destroy, in the prospective opera
tions. His ambition is not for mili
tary fame and glory. though, "were it
his cue to fight, he w ould not need a
prompter." The Doctor always ex
ercised much influence over th e mens
being universally respected.
Lieut. Richardson Hardy, another
young man of Democratic propensi
ties, and an editor and proprietor of
the Cincinnati Nonpareil, finishes the
coterie. Thus having briefly sketched the
qualities of those quartered in the la
dies' cabin, let us now glance at the
promiscuous crowd, the "outsiders."
There are some rare and jovial b'hoys
among them. Who that was along
can ever forget the amusing shines and
slang sayings of several chaps.
" Siksey," with his stage-struck
tones, and attitudes a la Macduff, mak

ing use of the significant and often
appropos expression — " Come out on
the square!" Long after I first heard
this comical summons, it became the
watchword of our mess. On the deck
of the Georgiana — in the marquee at
Contoy — in the secluded cottage at
Key West — the cotton ware-house at
Cedar Keys — and within the solid
walls of old Fort St. Marks, — at all
these places, during a pilgrimage of
some three months, when sung out by
the voice of Peter, the great  •
cook ! it was as well understood and
promptly answered to as the drumbeat
of Roast-beef, or Peas-upon-a-trencher,
"Siksey" was assistant commissary
during the campaign, and discharged
his duties faithfully and ably.
Bill Redding needs no introduction.
Bill put in his best licks for fun and
frolic on the trip, and was often the
moving spirit in some bold pranks.
The cry of " Opening for a Row" was
sure to catch his ear and bring him to
the spot, either to act as separator and
peace-maker, or to decide the contest
more summarily with " one fell
swope." He carried the Free Flag
of Cuba, in the Kentucky Regiment,
at Cardenas, through both the morn
ing and evening fignts, and brought
the tatters left by the enemy's bullets
back to American soil.
Ha ! , ha ! I laugh at the bare re
collection of "Screw" alias Tom
Work — afterwards Corporal Work!
It was better than a coming song to
hear him ejaculate, when he wanted
a comrade to be plain and point-blank,
with inimitable cadences of voice and

8

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

distortion of physiognomy — " Talk to
me like a mackerel !" A most inex
plicable and puzzling request, which
never failed to excite roars of laughter,
when uttered by Screw.
Poor "Monkey" Kelley! sadly I
recall his mimicry, in remembering
his unhappy fate! How little did I
think, when he was spouting burlesque
heroics, and calling out tragically —
" Follow your brave commander /" ever
to say he deserted? Alas! foolishly
deserted at Cardenas? I cannot think
from cowardice ; for he was under my
eye on that memorable morning — in
darkness amid death, uproar and con
flagration — and then behaved like a
true soldier. Poor boy ! Ah! Jhis
murder at Matanzas was a cruel,
cowardly work of bloodshed; a dis
graceful display of Spanish vengeance
and brutality. Roncah, Count of Al-
coy ! the deed is recorded against you!
You may yet repent the hasty slaugh
ter of two inconsiderate American
boys, when that power which you
swore "no human consideration should
restrain you from exerting," will be no
longer yours ; when your vehement
and bombastic anathemas against the
"Pirates" will be changed to pitiful
supplications for life and mercy at
their hands.
Then there was strapping "Reu
ben," cdias Levi Brown, full of gro
tesque ways and vulgar strokes of wit.
But hold! — though " Reuben" started
bravely, he afterwards backed out and
figured as a " Contoy Prisoner," and
therefore deserves no mention among
those who followed the " Lone Star "

flag, though only to a brief victory,
and unfortunate, hazardous retreat.
At Louisville our boat stopped
several hours, and there we fell in
with another detatchment of about forty
Kentuckians from Shelbyville , Louis
ville and Scott county. At Evansville
we find another little squad from Frank
fort, on the Chancellor. One of them
was our future Colonel, wdio seemed
highly elated at the fine appearance
and genteel behaviour of the men.
We remained but a few minutes at
Evansville, and unfortunately left the
Chancellor there. She, or rather those
on board of her, should have preceded
us to New Orleans one or two days,
as was intended; so that everything
might be ready on our arrival/ As it
was, we were two days ahead of her.
At all the principal places in the
South where our boat stopped, the
people were surprised at the crowd,
and many remarks and inquiries were
made as to who we were, and what
was our destination. When told for
California, they would put on dubious
looks, that almost plainly said — "A
nice party for California!" When
we landed at Vicksburgh a goodly
number of adventurers walked up the
levee to see the city. The inhabi
tants stared at their appearance, and
deportment. One very intelligent gen
tleman, standing on the wharf-boat as
we came up, gazed at the crowd a
few minutes, and then exclaimed in
voluntarily as it were— "Cuba, by
G — d ! No such men as these go to
California to dig. Did you ever see
such a body of men! D— d if they ain't

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

9

all gentlemen ! What fire, intelligence
and energy glows in every counte
nance !"
The amusements on board were va
rious in character; a great many, as
usual, were continually seated at the
card-tables, a few spent the time in
reading, and a good many in musing
on the past, and imaging prospects
for the future. There were several
good musicians on board, among the
company, and at night great hilarity
generally prevailed — singing, dancing,
&c. When about half-way down,
however, Mr. Dumm, of gymnastic
reputation, proposed a more useful
method of killing time, viz : in learn
ing to kill men secundem artem< A
large class was soon formed to take
lessons from Prof. D. in "The Six
Divisions of the Sabre Exercise."
He would have his class paraded on
deck two or three times a day, every
scholar with a cane, stick, umbrella,
or some such substitude for the proper
weapon, in hand. He would then
mount upon the chicken-coop, and
proceed — " Draw swords ! Guard !
Cut one, two, three, four. Give —
point!" This spectacle furnished in
finite diversion to all on board. It
was indeed a rich scene to see such a
performance, as the steamer plowed
her way, under full press of steam,
through the turbid waters of the Mis
sissippi, which was then overflowing
the whole lower country. But great
was the astonishment of the natives
along on the banks ! Some were even
alarmed on beholding such an armed
host, in that warlike array, striking

such hostile attitudes. Our boat did
not give the scholars much time to be
come proficient in the "manly art."
By this time we began to look upon
the broad plantations of Louisiana.
Baton Rouge attracted general interest.
There was pointed out to many for
the first time, the former home of
General Taylor, and the beautiful,
commodious garrison of which he was
so long commander — above which
floated "freedom's banner." What
a pity the old General did not know
how to protect that flag, and those
who sailed under it, from insult and
outrage, in the capacity of President,
as well as he had been able to sustain
its honor and add to its glory on the
field of war! Many a gaze rested
pensively on the pretty village, as we
left it in the twilight of a magnificent
southern evening — some of them for
the last time.
About 3 o'clock on the morning of
the 11th April, our boat struck the
landing at Freeport, some three miles
above New Orleans. Every man was
ready with his baggage, and though
the night was very dark, we began
immediately to disembark. In a few
minutes all were on shore, except Maj. .
Hardy and Capt. Robinson, who pro
ceeded on down to New Orleans, to
have an interview with those at head
quarters, leaving the company under
direction of Dr. Scott and Lieutenant
Hardy. Those two functionaries im
mediately proceeded to all the Hotels
they could find, engaging entertain
ment for the men. The little burgh:
was soon in an uproar, every bar-

10

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

room and coffee-house brilliantly light
ed up, and crowded with Californians.
The landlords scarcely new what to
apprehend when they were roused up
so early, and saw such a concourse in
the streets.
"How many can you accommo
date?" was the first question.
"Oh, plenty of room — for fifteen or
twenty." " Is that all ! Can't you manage to
provide for fifty or a hundred, a day
or so?"
" A hundred !" exclaimed the drow
sy Frenchman, opening his eyes and
staring at the officers with suspicious
.amazement. " Yes," they continued, to relieve
his perplexity, " We are a California
Company, and will probably be de
tained here a few days."
By breakfast time all were provided
for ; about eighty at one house, at a
¦ dollar a day — the balance in squads
of twenty and thirty, at three dollars
or three dollars and fifty cents per
week. Maj. H. had left orders for no man
to go down to the city, on penalty of
being dismissed from the Company.
He was to be out at 8 o'clock, and
then we would know the order of the
day. Eight o'clock came, but no
news from the city. Impatience and
anxiety now rose at a rapid rate.
Nine, ten, o'clock, and no messenger
even. The men became rampant. It
now required the most positive injunc
tions, and decided threats of Dr. S.
and Lieut. H. to keep many from
irushing to the city. Eleven o'clock

came, and still no news ; but the men
were by this time resigned to stay un
til after dinner, when a number de
clared their intention" to go down in
spite of orders. About twelve o'clock,
Capt. Robinson arrived. An inter
view had taken place between Adjt.
Gen. Gonzales, Col. Pickett, Maj.
Hardy and him ; but he brought no
news of import — only that Maj. H.
was to have another interview at 2
o'clock and would be out towards
evening. This, however, was enough
to cool the impatience of the men
and each one amused himself, as best
he could, to while away the hours of
suspense. At Company head-quar
ters the time now passed in grave con
sultation on probabilities and possi
bilities, commenting on what had
passed at the first interview, and re
solving what our course should be in
case everything did not go on smoothly.
Freeport was a devlish dull place, and
it would be a bad business should we
have to stay there any time. — Oh!
that the Chancellor would arrive !
Then our destination would be deci
ded on.
It was late at night when Maj. H.
arrived at the Jefferson City Hotel, in
Freeport, the men were mostly at their
quarters and nothing was comunicated
to them. He proceeded at once to
the room of his deputies, who sprang
up eager to learn the result of the
day's debate ! Owing to some woful
misunderstanding, we had arrived ten
or fifteen days too soon. Here was a
great expense incurred— to say nothing
of the risk of being stopped— which

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

11

the paymaster seemed reluctant to
liquidate. He had also talked about
the sum of thirteen cents a day being
allowed to subsist men in the regular
army, and intimated that $1,50 per
week was all that could be allowed
each man during our detention in
New Orleans ! Dr. Scott looked
blank at the idea, Capt. Robinson be
gan to grow distrustful, and Lieut.
Hardy declared emphatically that such
talk was perfect nonsense under the
circumstances. The Dons evidently
did not understand the men with
whom they were dealing. The Chan
cellor arrived next evening, and we
were soon relieved from this awkward
predicament. Next day the bills at the Hotels in
Freeport were all settled, and the men
moved down to Lafayette, where they
could be distributed about in smaller
squads, and at cheaper rates. We
were to remain there ten or fifteen
days, until transportation could be
provided. Company headquarters were
established at "Smith's House." Maj.
H remained in the city, com ing out only
occasionally, leaving affairs at Lafa
yette under control of a sort of Com
mittee, composed of Dr. Scott, Capt.
Robinson, and Lieut. Hardy. This
position was a little more conspicuous
than pleasant. It was no easy task to
restrict within the bounds of prudence
and propriety nearly two hundred idle
young men, in such close proximity to
New Orleans. I rather think the ser
vices and sacrifices of the aforesaid
" Committee " were never properly ap
preciated by those superior officers

who quartered at the St. Charles and
Verandah, drank Juleps at Hewlet's,
visited the theatres, masked balls, etc.
at an expense of $25 or $30 per week,
paid by the " New Republic." The
Committee got such an idea into their
heads a few days before leaving, and
also began to indulge pretty freely in
such luxuries as the place afforded, on
the credit of the "New Republic;"
and when about to start for the vessel,
a neat little bill of extras for three
was handed to his Paymastership,
which he was half disposed, not to
honor! But it must be done, or the
Committee budged not, and had they
not went aboard, there would have
been plenty of room on the Georgiana.
But even the vigilance of the Com
mittee did not at all times succeed in
preventing outbreaks. One evening a
large deputation from the various
boarding houses called at headquar
ters to make some request of the Com
mittee, but found that two of them
had gone down to the city, and the re
maining member could not satisfy
them. Some mischievous fellows
among them then determined on a
grand procession. It was soon formed
to the number of about two hundred,
and marched in good order down to
the city. The committee men hap
pened to be in front of the !St. Charles
when the procession came filing down
that street. They could not at first
imagine what had "broke loose."
The whole city was astonished at the
extraordinary proceding, and it was
said that the Spanish < onsul and the
Editor of La Patria, imagining that

12

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

the adventurers were bent on their de
struction, disguised themselves and fled
for dear life to the obscure regions of
"Shirt Tail Bend!" On the other
hand the heads of the Expedition
were fearful less this imprudent frolic
should so attract the notice of govern
ment officers as to oblige them to in
vestigate, and give trouble to our own
embarkation. The procession was
therefore called to a halt, and dis
persed. It did no harm, for our ob
ject and destination was then as well
known in New Orleans as it could be.
We had been the subject of several
newspaper notices, and the Cuba ex
pedition was the bar-room conversa
tion all over the city.
No Government, in modern days,
was ever compelled, or ever descended,
to the employment of such base and
undignified means and instruments, as
the Spanish Government does to pre
serve its unprincipled sway over the
Island of Cuba. No diplomatic or
commercial representative of the least
respectable nation, ever before dis
graced himself and it, by intrigue and
collusion with those outcasts of all
society — hireling spies and kidnap
pers! It shows how little reliance
the degenerate race place upon any
thing but brute force and treachery.
The Spanish consul at New Orleans
had a completely organized and well
trained corps of such minions and
wretches, constantly in active service.
Sometimes one of them would appear
among our men as- a jolly tar, seem
ingly half drunk, invite them to drink,
and talk with nautical eloquence of

life on the ocean, and adventures among
the Islands of the Gulf; endeavoring
by this means to discover the intended
rendezvous of the Expedition. But
this they failed to do, for the very
good reason that not half a dozen in
the battalion knew until we were far
away from the United States.
One of the most amusing and im
prudent attempts at "pumping" was
made upon the "committee" itself,
by a fellow known in the vicinity of
the Bull's Head Wharf, as "Lying
Tom, of Lajayette" — alias Captain
Thomas Spearman, of the brig He
roine. I was setting in the mess-room
one evening, busily engaged in writ
ing letters, when the aforesaid Tom
inquired at the bar for Capt. Hardy.
He was shown up. Supposing him
to be another customer who wished
to join us, as many had done, whose
names I entered on the roll-book, I
laid my hand upon it without lookino-
at the chap; but my full attention was
quickly attracted by Tom. He was
a tall, sinewy fellow, sunburnt almost
to Spanish darkness, with long black
hair and flashing eyes in which the
very demon of rascality seemed to
revel. One of his cheeks appeared to
have been branded, and the injured
part was covered with a sort of court-
plaster. His beard seemed not to
have been cut for some time. His
dress consisted of coarse shoes, no
socks, a good pair of "regulation"
breeches, check shirt, with handker
chief carelessly tied sailor-fashion,
and a dirty slouched hat of the Buena

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

13

Vista style. Doffing this last article
as he approached, he took a seat op
posite to me at the table, and began
with an apology after this fashion :
" Captain, I'm rather a rough-look
ing customer to talk with, but I don't
always wear such clothes; only when
it is necessary for my own safety, and
the good of the cause." Then, sud-
ednly stopping and staring me full in
the face, he uttered mysteriously some
sentences in a foreign tongue !
"What's the meaning of that?" I
inquired, returning his gaze, and lifting
my eyebrows in no little wonderment
at the fellow's looks and words.
"Don't you speak Spanish?" he
asked. "No," I replied; then turning to
Capt. Robinson, who was seated at
one end of the table, I remarked —
"Capt., I believe you understand
something of Spanish; suppose you
act as interpreter."
"Why, yes, replied Capt. R., "I
can converse a little, but cannot make
out what Mr. Spearman has spoken.
Is it Spanish"
"Oh no," said Tom, "it's Italian.
But I may as well speak plain English.
We understand each other. All right!
I've been in the service before !"
We now began to suspect the fel
low, and be he friend or foe, deter
mined to give him no information or
hold upon us.
"What 'service' do you allude to,
sir," I asked.
" Oh! you needn't be afraid of me ;
I don't ask you to tell me anything—

not a word. I expect I know more
than you do."
" No doubt, Mr. Spearman, if you
have been in the service, for this is
our first voyage to Chdgres."
" Ah,"yes, I understand — Chagres!
about four day's sail from here — I
know every inch of the way; it's a
glorious place — just fixed up by nature
for our special accommodation."
"Suppose you tell us something
about it; anything in regard to the
place of our destination will be inter
esting, just now. We thought, how
ever, to Chagres was a longer voyage.'"
"No, sir! not our Chagres! I've
run it in a little over three days with
the jaunty little Heroine, just arrived
from there last night. Everything is
ready-^-waiting for you ! About three
thousand there already. Ha, ha,
didn't I land those five hundred kegs
of powder slick ! They searched her
mighty close, too ; but whoever found
what I hid ! They suspected me
strong, though. You know Don
McGill Shusha ! Well, one day Don
McGill come and advised me to leave.
He asked me how much I wanted —
there was a pile of gold high and
square as this table! I told him I
wasn't particular — knew it was all
safe. I took thirty ounces ; jumped
on one of Don McGill's mules, hired
two hombres to guide me across the
mountains, and started — disguised as
an Italian traveller. They were after
me; coming up a mountain road, I
sees a file of white coats drawn up
on each side with muskets. Never
noticed them, but cooly lit my cigarito,

14

HISTORY AND DAVENTURES OF

and sitting unconcernedly on , my
mule, passed them singing — (here
Tom favored us with some verses of a
song which he said was Italian.) —
They couldn't find me ; thought I was
gone. I came back to the city in a
day or so, got aboard, and cleared.
Coming up that evening, the sloop of
war Albany hove alongside. I had
to lay to. Lieut Randolph came
aboard — wanted to see that all was
right. I handed him my papers; he
looked at them, and returned the doc
uments, observing, " Captain, won't
you come aboard and drink a bottle
with me ?" Next morning there was
a hell of a fog — wind dead ahead; I
tucked every rag on the little Heroine
— she run right in the wind's eye,
and by daylight — godbye to the Al
bany!" It was evident that he was alluding
to the Isle of Pines, then generally sup
posed to be our intended rendezvous.
" And who is Don McGill Shusha?"
"Oh! why, he owns the whole
Island — an enormously rich old coffee
planter. I brought some good news
from him ; saw the nameless one last
night, and had a long conversation.
Glorious old chap!"
" Who was it you saw last night?"
"You know who I mean — I need
not speak his name — walls have ears,
sometimes." "Well, then, where did you see
him?" "No. 31, Conde street."
The committee glanced at each
other, seemingly to ask "How the
devil does he know that ?" We thought

none but the most intimate knewFte
locality. " We won't get off so soon as ex
pected," remarked Tom.
" Won't we ! About when do you
now think ?"
"Twenty-fifth or twenty-eighth."
The very time we had counted on!
— the committee exchanged glances
again. In this way Mr. Tom Spearman
run on for about two hours — we say
ing very little, not knowing what to
think of him, being so correct in many
of his items about the Expedition.
When he left us, I promised to call on
him next day at the Bull's Head
Wharf, where he said I would find
him pretending to work, but merely
fooling round to blind the eyes of those
who were watching his important
movements. I did call. Presently
up comes Tom with a tremendous saw
on his shoulder. I spoke to him.
Without turning his head, he muttered
in a suppressed voice  "Don't be
seen talking with me here. That
man yonder with a white hat and mus-
tachois — he's a Spanish spy. Go over
to the Bull's Head— I'll come." I
did so, and in a few minutes Tom ap
peared. I then requested him to go
down with me to the Verandah, de
signing to exhibit him to some officers
to see if they would recognize him.
He seemed disappointed — evidently
had expected some disclosure ox pro
position from me ; said he could not
go down in his disguise, (a shabby
suit !) but he intended to dress up and
go down to see all of them in the after-

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

15

noon. He would also be at Smith's
House that night. I left him, per
fectly satisfied that he was an inflated
humbug. We thought, however, we
would for amusement let him go on as
if we believed all he said.
He came, and with him this time
another suspicious looking elderly
covey, whom he introduced as his
friend B. Taking a seat, Tom said
decidedly :
"I heard some important news to
day." "Ah" we exclaimed, as if eager to
hear, "what is it?"
"All right!"
Quite important, thought we; but
by no means definite or satisfactory.
Tom continued —
" Mr. B. wants to become one of us ;
he's my friend; you can go onand tell
him all about it."
Now, this is the acme of impudence,
I said to myself— this rascal thinks to
have a witness to the confessions!
"We shall of course be glad to
have Mr. B.; if he wishes to join us,
here is the roll-book, which is all the
explanation we have time to give."
Tom felt himself beat, and both he
and his friend looked blank. But he
did not let on. After talking away in
the same strain of the previous evening,
he got up and left, remarking that he
was going up the river the next morn
ing (which was Sunday), to settle
some business, and also to draw all
the spies after him, so that we could
opperate more safely.
On the evening of the next day, we
happened in at Tom's boarding house,

and had a talk with his landlady.
She said he was a wild sort of man ;
worked about the wharft, but seemed
to be a lazy, drinking fellow, although
he knew a good deal, and appeared
once to have been quite a gentleman.
He owed for three weeks' board, which
she wished he would pay. This was
enough ! We had a hearty laugh over
Capt. Tom, his 500 kegs of powder,
the brig Heroine, and Don McGill
Shusha ! While still laughing and
talking, the sounds of music floating
on the still Sabbath air, caught pur
ears. We went towards it — to the
German Beer Garden in Lafayette,
which was crowded promiscuously
with Californians, Cubans, Dutch
men, Frenchmen, boatmen, sailors,
women, &c, &c. The garden was
brilliantly lighted up, and at one end
a sort of bull-ring was filled with
waltzers, heeling and tooing it at an
expense of five cents a strain of music
and treat to partner. Suddenly our
gaze was rivetted to a post at one cor
ner of the bull-ring. Can it be ! yes
it is ! by all that's glorious, Capt. Tom
Spearman, leaning against the post,
grinning vastly at the waltzers ! He
who was to have been far up the river
to-day, settling important business,
and misleading the spies. Ah! he
sees us, and is disposed to avoid; but
no ! we will head him ! Just as we
got near enough to speak to him,
Tom turned quickly round, pretended
to be startled, made divers ominous mo
tions, winks and shirks, whispering —
"Don't seem to know me. I know
what I'm after here. All right!"

16

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

We laughed outright. Tom disap
peared in the crowd ; he knew we had
detected him, but wanted to keep up
his pomp to the last. We never saw
him more. But his friend B. joined
us, proved to be quite a sensible man,
attained the post of cook to the Colo
nel's mess, and behaved creditably
throughout. On the afternoon of the 25th of
April, two hundred and twenty tickets,
drawn up by Col. J. W. Breedlove,
at his transportation office, on Poy-
dras Street — securing to each man
whose name was on it " One steerage
passage on the bark Georgiana to
Chagres," were handed over to Lieut.
Hardy, and by him delivered to the
men as they called at head quarters in
small squads. They were all at the same
time directed to go immediately on
board with their baggage, which
should only consist of carpet-bags and
bundles, no trunks or boxes would be
allowed on board. By dark the City
of Lafayette was evacuated, and the
battalion collected at the pier. Here
we met about thirty more Kentuckians
— Capts. Logan and Allen, and their
men — who had been quartered in the
city. In fine, all who belonged to
the Kentuaky regiment, except Lieut.
Col. Pickett, who preferred to re
main and come out with the General
— were doomed to embark on the Geor
giana. The tow-boat did not come along
side until about 9 o'clock, by which
time a large crowd had collected to
see the embarkation. Old Capt.
Benson was in an awful " stew." —

He had never before appeared in such
an important character, in so public a
manner ! At length, " All aboard !
push her out, Captain," was shouted
by a young gentleman whose acquain-
ce the reader will make before we
have been long at sea. The crowd
on the pier " lent a hand," and as the
bark floated out into the channel, gave
us three cheers, which were enthusi
astically returned as the Georgiana
moved down stream, disappearing in
the darkness.
The Kentucky Battalion was then
afloat! Two hundred and fifty gal
lant spirits had ventured their all upon
the tossing sea ; started upon a jour
ney from which there could scarcely
be a reasonable hope many of them
would return. Three men stood upon
the pier, waving adieus long as their
eyes could discern the bark. They
seemed to be overjoyed at our safe de
parture, and filled with admiration for
all on board. Those men were — Nar-
ciso Lopez, Ambrosia J. Gonzales,
and Gen. John Henderson.
We soon lost sight of New Orleans.
All were much fatigued, feeling more
disposed to dream of past joys or fu
ture glories, than muse on the present.
A sadness crept over each breast as
our bark ploughed her way towards
the broad Gulf, and soon all sought
relief from regrets and doubts in slum
ber.

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

17

PART II.
THE GEORGIANA'S VOYAGE— ARRIVAL AND
STAY AT CONTOY ISLAND— THE CREOLE
AND SUSAN LOUD— DEPARTURE FOR CUBA.
" Richmond, my Lord, is on the sea !"
The conclusion of the first part of
this History left the Kentucky Batta
lion asleep, while the Georgiana was
being towed down to the Balize. —
They awoke on the morrow early, and
as the mist of an April morning
cleared away before the sun's bright
rays, looked out far over the blue ex
panse of the Gulf of Mexico. To
many this was a novel sight ; to all a
grand and beautiful one. There is
something indescribably touching in
the thoughts and feelings that come
o'er us as we bid adieu to the shores
of our native land. Americans, per
haps, more than any others, give way
to these emotions in their fullest force ;
for oh ! their's is a country where all
that can bind the affections of man,
all that can excite his pride, all that
can gratify his ambition, may be en
joyed as nowhere else within the
earth's circle ! Even the blunt Yan
kee tar, who ploughs the ocean waves
as the merchant and tradesman treads
the city's streets, though he may have
wandered often and far, scarcely ever
loses sight of Columbia without some
pensive and melancholy thoughts. How
then should the " Cuban Liberators"
feel ? How should they look back with
a long-lingering gaze, and yearning
hearts, to the vanishing loom of their
country's soil ? That country whose
every lineament they love, with the love
of active patriotism — a patriotism which

once led many of them, under her flag,
to the walls of Monterey, to the field
of Buena Vista, to the gorges of
Contreras, and Churubusco's heights.
But how is it now ? They are leav
ing that country in defiance of her
laws. The same chieftain who not
many months ago led them to victory,
has told them in the voice of the na
tion, that they will be cast off from its
protection — " lost to their friends, and
to their country lost," if they thus go
to a foreign land with hostile intent.
They will be outlaws ; claimed by no^
nation, recognized by no flag. Once
up6n the high seas, legitimate prey
for the cruisers of any nation; the
hunted objects of British jealousy, of
Spanish rage and terror, and of Tay-
lorish ignorance and misdirected zeal.
These are hard terms. To reflect
upon them saddens the heart, momen
tarily checks hope and spirit. Yet
they will not turn back; their resolu
tion has been taken, and while the
star of promise shines in the horizon,
of the future, onward is the only
course of honor and courage. He who
retreats now, at the mere thought of
dangers,loses that which the most fatal
fortune cannot take from those who
manfully Iry the hazard of the die.
What is it that impels these "Lib
erators" to brave such risks and re
sponsibilities ? Why do they renounce
their country, leave all that is dear to
their hearts — home, friends, comfort
and peaceful happiness, for extraordi
nary dangers, on sea and land; — sub
ject themselves to hardships, depriva
tions, and war's unrest? Avarice and

18

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

piracy, indignantly says the puerile
and ungenerous wretch, whose soul
has never known a higher impulse than
legal cheatery and civil despoliation.
The creature void of sympathies be
yond his own dim threshold ; knowing
himself base and cowardly in heart,
ever ready to impute unworthy mo
tives to those who would aspire above
his groveling sphere, who would emu
late the deeds and names that glitter
on the brightest pages of history. Let
such rooters rave on, snarl away, with
their hypocritical professions of con
scientious morality and scrupulous
faith. Nothing less than a deep con
viction of the rectitude of their course
— a solemn consecration of their lives
to the cause of human freedom and na
tional independence, was the basis of
those motives which inspired the heart
¦of every true Liberator. True, the
temptations of ambition and gold were
: strong; but never would these men go
forth as they do with no higher or holier
¦ designs than personal aggrandizement.
:How much such motives may have
weighed in any heart, is a question
which, as in everthing else where jus
tice, truth, charity and religion are
concerned, every man must answer to
.his own conscience. It may be rash;
they think differently. But if it proves
to be so, they are resigned to suffer
all the evils, and ask neither the hand
of assistance nor the tear of sympathy
from those who cannot appreciate their
motives and applaud their conduct.
But let the historian proceed. When
within a few miles of the mouth of the
Mississippi, about daylight our bark

was hailed by a small fishing boat, in
which were three men, besides the
sailor who navigated it. The boat
had left New Orleans the evening be
fore the Georgiana cleared. The Cap
tain of it was Senator L. J. Sigur, of
the New Orleans Delta; his compan
ions were Maj. T. T. Hawkins, and
Lieut. Albert W. Johnson, of the
Kentucky Battalion. It was well bal
lasted with something, which will
presently be disclosed. The Captain
of the tow-boat was requested to stop
that the fishing smack might come
alongside, but he would not do so,
probably well knowing the object of
such a junction, and not wishing to be
an aider or abettor. The Georgiana
shortly after came to anchor at the
Balize, and as the wind was unfavora
ble it was concluded that we would
not go to sea until next morning, and
so the tow-boat left us.
There she lay in the broad stream,
literally covered with men — having on
board nearly fifty more than her
tonange allowed herto carry. A number
of vessels and boats were all around and
below her, and everything that was
going on could be distinctly seen from
the pilots' houses at Balize. A United
States revenue cutter was cruising
about in the offing, and it was soon
evident that the Georgiana' s suspicious
appearance had attracted her attention.
No little anxiety and trepidation was
felt among the officers who knew her
character, as the cutter came tacking
up stream, and sailed completely
around us two or three times, within
good reconnoitering distance. She.

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

19

finally sailed away, without any closer
investigation ; and a few minutes after
she left, the fishing boat came along
side. It was lucky that the smack
had not done so before the cutter came
around ; for had it been there then, the
suspicion would doubtless have been
too strong to be overlooked. The
three gentlemen in the boat then came
aboard, and orders were immediately
given for the hasty transfer of its cargo
to the Georgiana. Several of the
stoutest men went to work, and ten
boxes of splendid, recently cleaned
United States muskets were soon
stowed away in the hold, and about
ten thousand ball catridges in the cap
tain's cabin. During this operation,
countenances wore a serious aspect.
Whoever had been so credulous as to
entertain a doubt as to the character
and destination of the Expedition,
could do so no longer. Only a few
jocular allusions were made by some
of the men, to the California pretext :
"What's in those boxes?" asked
one. ': Oh ! a few spades and pickaxes
that were forgotten!"
"Yes," was the reply, as the top
of one box broke off, displaying regu
lar old brown muskets and shining
bayonets — " Curious looking spades
and pickaxes — we've shouldered those
old fellows before !"
A few, however began to grow ex
ceedingly anxious ; to feel either com
punctions or fears, and they began to
talk around in tremulous accents.
The chieftains were all assembled
in the cabin, where much writing was

going on. Adjutant Titus and Lieut.
Hardy made out a list of the names, resi
dence &c, of every man on board tvhich
the General had directed to be sent back
to him at New Orleans. Others were
inditing affectionate, and no doubt af
fecting, farewell letters to their parents,
friends, and sweet-hearts. While this
was going on, Senator Sigur compla
cently smoked his segar, conversed in
a low tone, and smiled as he read the
ladies' names on many of the letters
handed to him, to put in the post-office
on his return to New Orleans. The
letters all sealed at last, he got into his
boat again, a perfect post-office,
pushed out, and the last chance of
communication with home was gone.
Soon after this, the anxious and
fearful having all got together, with a
pusillanimous, impudent fellow named
Winter at their head, made a rush to
the cabin door, called for Col. O'Hara,
and demanded an explanation. He
came out, and briefly said, that the ex
pedition was going to Cuba to engage
in a revolution. We were first going
to rendezvous on an Island, where in
a few days, we would be joined by
Gen. Lopez in a steamer with seve
ral hundred more men. He spoke of
it as a patriotic and glorious enter-
prize, which he had the utmost confi
dence would succeed, and redound to
the honor and benefit of all engaged
in it. If there were any who did
not feel disposed to encounter the haz
ards which of course belonged to
such an enterprize, he would prefer
that they should retnrn, and all they
had to do was to get aboard the

20

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

tow-boat when she came to take us
out to sea. He only regretted that
they had not made known their disin
clination to go to Cuba sooner
Brief as was this explanation, it
satisfied all, except perhaps three or
four, who had not resolution to de
cide whether they would go on or re
turn, and kept muttering senseless and
unmanly complaints. Next morning
very early a tow-boat 6ame to take
the Georgiana out to sea, The boat
was alongside at first, while the Cap
tain was settling his business. During
this time the few who were disposed
to return busied themselves in endea
voring to get others to do so, instead
of getting on board the steamboat,
when suddenly they were reminded
that the boat was going ahead to tow
us out. Then some three or four ran
and got their baggage ; but were too
late — the boat was beyond jumping
distance. For this they had only
their officiousness in the affairs of
others, and hesitation in their own, to
blame. In a few minutes sails were hoisted,
the ship began to roll, and with a stiff
breeze, the Georgiana sped rapidly
on her course to Isla de Mugeres. —
We will pass over the scene of sea
sickness that ensued — only remarking
that nearly all were tremendously
retched for a day or so, and lay
about, so sick, that they would not have
cared had they been consigned to the
Gulf, food for fishes. As they re
covered, however, they felt as if new
atomachs had been given them, and
made the pork and beans suffer con
siderable diminution.

It was lovely weather, and the
grandeur of the broad Gulf, as we
passed out of the Mississippi's muddy
waters into the dark blue waves, far
from land, caused much sublime and
romantic musing. There was, indeed,
something dramatic and poetic in the
story of that ship ; the wild, adven
turous characters she bore, the mo-
mentuous results that were identified
with them — all, all completely re
signed to the hands of Fate, to termi
nate in glorious renown or tragical
death. A people's hopes clung to
that bark ! To those familiar with
Byron came thoughts from " The
Corsair" and from " The Prisoner of
Chilton" and in his words they felt
themselves sailing —
" Far o'er the waters of the dark blue sea,
Their thoughts as boundless, and th ir souls as
free."
Such flights of imagination and
poetical images are all very fine and
agreeable, but rather fruitless of any
thing in the practical world ; and as
this is an appropriate time and place
for the introduction of new charac
ters in this History, let us take a few
handsome profiles.
Col. Theodore O'Hara, of Frank
fort, Ky., was not "unknown to fame"
previous to the Cuban Expedition. —
A lawyer by profession, he is a young
man of great educational acquirements,
with talents that would command re
spect in any sphere or circle, and at
an early age began his experience in
public affairs. Several years ago he
was an associate editor of the organ
of the Democratic party in Kentucky.
In 1844, during the exciting Presiden-

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

21

tial canvass between Clay and Polk,
he edited, in conjunction with the
late Capt. Henry C. Pope, of Louis
ville, the " Democratic Rally," one of
the most effective, spirited and popu
lar campaign papers ever published in
Kentucky. He afterwards resided
about two years in Washington city,
engaged in one of the Departments of
Government, and was there when the
Mexican war was in progress. He
then received the appointment of As
sistant Quarter-master, with the rank
of Captain, and reported himself to
General Taylor some time before the
battle of Buena Vista, at Victoria ;
was transferred to Gen. Scott's line,
and landed with him at Vera Cruz.
He continued on that line, and at the
city of Mexico, until the American
army was withdrawn, having been
present at all the memorable victories
there gained ; and on his return to the
United States was breveted with the
rank of Major, "for gallant and meri
torious conduct at the battles of Cerro
Gordo and Contreras." He again re
sided some months at Washington city,
where he became acquainted with Gen.
Lopez, and the scheme of Cuban In
dependence. Previous to the revival of the second
Expedition, he had returned to Ken
tucky, and but a few weeks before he
engaged to raise a Battalion for it,
issued a Prospectus for the publica
tion at Frankfort of the " Champion of
Reform," a campaign paper, advocat
ing the adoption of the then recently
formed New Constitution of Kentucky.
The renewal of the Expedition, with

other reasons, induced him to abandon
it, and we now find him on board the
Georgiana, at the head of two hundred
and fifty Liberators, practical " Cham
pions " of reform and liberty Those
among them who knew him before —
some from boy-hood up — had all con
fidence in his judgment, fitness, ca
pacity, and courage, for the place of
leader. That he fulfilled all their ex
pectations, I will not say, but at the
proper place endeavor to show wherein
he erred or failed. Let it be remem
bered though, that many a man who
would make a fine Colonel in the reg
ular service, might be unfit and incom
petent as the officer of such men as
composed the Kentucky Battalion, in
the irregular service of the Republic
of Cuba!
Lieut. Col. John T. Pickett, of
Washington City, is a young gentle
man of remarkable exterior, quite re
fined, if not fancy, in many things.
He is, nevertheless, much of a gentle
man, and something of a scholar, hav
ing been raised in "high life," and
associated with good society. Col.
P. passed some time at the National
Military School at West Point, but
was probably of two wild and erratic
a disposition to remain long enough to
graduate. He was United States Con
sul for Turk's Island, at one time;
and has travelled considerably in
South America and the West Indies.
While at Turk's Island, he began to
think about the project of revolutioniz
ing Cuba. He returned to Washing
ton City, and engaged in the organi
zation of the first Expedition, which

22

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

was suppressed at New York. He
afterwards came out West with Col.
O'Hara, and was a prominent agent in
reviving the last Expedition from New
Orleans. Col. P. before enjoyed the
honor of being outlawed by the Spanish
authorities of Cuba, with a $25,000 re
ward for his head !
With Major T. T. Hawkins, of
Newport, Ky., I am not much ac
quainted, having first met him at
Evansville, on our way down the river.
This is not his first campaign, for he
was in Mexico during the latter part
of the war, as Lieutenant in the 16th
Infantry. But his actions in the fu
ture part of this History must speak
for him further. There is something
quite military in the manners and ap
pearance of Major Hawkins, though of
a slight and delicate frame. His bright
black eye strikes one at the first glance,
reflecting high spirit, pride, and cool
courage. Of a dark complexion, with
black mustache, slow and studied in
his ordinary attitudes and conversation,
when he came aboard the Georgiana
many of the men took him for a
Spanish officer — it might be the grand
Lopez himself. He was the most in.
timate friend and adviser of Col.
O'Hara, who received, with great re
spect, his suggestions in "council of
war," and with whom he must share
the censure of bad policy and erroneous
action. He acted as Major in the
Kentucky Battalion, but Major Hardy
was entitled to and held that commis
sion. Captain John Allen, of Shelby
county, Ky., is one of the staunchest

men to be met with, and a gentleman
of fortune and influence in his county.
He was an officer in Col. Marshall's
cavalry regiment, which did such gal
lant service at Buena Vista. A fine,
soldierly-looking man.
Captain John A. Logan, likewise
of Shelby county, which he had re
presented in the Legislature of Ken
tucky. Capts. L. and A. were fast
friends ; Capt. L. having also served
as an officer in Mexico, where he ac
quired high reputation for bravery, all
of which he sustained nobly at Carde
nas, where he fell mortally wounded,
his body being afterwards consigned
to the waters of the Gulf.
Nor can I forget Adjutant H. T.
Titus, of Philadelphia. " Gallant
Harry!" Jovial and laughing even in
the midst of fight ; and a perfect Ajax
in courage and proportions. Titus
had "travelled some" before, as Se
cret Agent of the Post Office Depart
ment. He joined the battalion at
New Orleans, and was well qualified
for the office he held.
Quartermaster Thomas P. Hoy, of
Galveston, Texas, was in his element.
He was a young lawyer, but had
served under Jack Hays as a Texan
Ranger, who, in conjunction with
bowie-knives and five-shooters, was
his adoration. A tall, gaunt fellow,
and comparatively rather desparate ad
venturer. Tom's departure from New
Orleans corresponded with the manner
in which we al afterwards left Carde
nas and Key West — there was some
body in pursuit — and he came aboard
as did the arms at Balize ! !

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

23

Perhaps I should give old Captain
Benson, of the Georgiana, a place in
these memoirs ; but his conduct towards
the Expedition, and treatment of the
" Contoy Prisoners," after the Expe
dition left that place, was so decidedly
shabby — as will be seen hereafter —
that he almost deserves what has be
fallen him, and is remembered with
more disgust and indignation than
pity. We had a fair wind for four or five
days, and kept bravely on our course
towards the coast of Yucatan, passing
and meeting numerous vessels of all
nations, and occasionally sheering off
whei we happened to see the rig
of a war vessel, or the smoke- of a
steamer rose up like a cloud from the
sea. The men began to grow tired
enough of the crowded deck and
sweltering hold, and Columbus him
self could hardly have manifested
more joy than the pent-up Liberators,
at the cry of "land ho!" that echoed
through the Georgiana's sails on the
evening of the fifth day out from
Balize. Many of them wanted to
land anywhere, they didn't care a
A — n who inhabited the land — Mexi
cans, or Patagonians ten feet high —
lizards, leopards or sea-horses; they
wanted to run and jump, and would
fight for the privilege without supper,
against barbarians, fishes or wild
beasts ! It was a sad, enraging disap
pointment, when they were told there
was no chance to land before a day
or so.
We came within sight of the Mexi
can coast somewhere about Sisal,

eighty or a hundred miles too far
South for Mugeres. The wind was
dead ahead, and beating up against it
the flat-bottomed, crab-sided old bark
would not gain twenty miles in twen
ty-four hours. Three times in three
days did she strike the coast within a
few miles of the first place; but at
last, on the evening of the fourth day,
doubled Cape Cartoche, and came to
anchor in a pretty little bay, about a
mile from the desolate Island of Con-
toy, and some ten or twelve miles
from the mainland of Yucatan. Capt.
Benson had concluded that it was im
possible for him to get around to
Mugeres, though only twelve miles
distant, and Col. O'Hara therefore
resolved to remain at Contoy. Officers
were then appointed for six companies
— thirty-five to a company-*-and the
men directed to make choice of the
companies which they prefered to join.
Orders were then issued to prepare for
landing next morning, to establish
a camp on the Island. The excite
ment of these arrangements revived
their drooping spirits, and good humor,
which for two or three days past had
deserted all — even Harry Titus —
beamed on almost every face again —
particularly oh those of the newly-
made officers. The military phrases
— " Officer of t'e Day," " Lieutenant
of the Guard!" " Turn out Relief No.
2!" were regularly heard, giving af
fairs the sound of quite a warlike dis
cipline. Early next morning, the 7th of
May, the landing commenced. —
In two or three hours the battalion
was disembarked. In the afternoon,

24

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

Col. O'Hara, having had a small
boat rigged up, departed in company
with the Mate, on an excursion to
Blanquiti Island and the mainland, to
gain some information as to water,
&c. &c. Contoy was a lively place
that day. The men on landing had
taken possession of a few thatched
huts, but finding them full of bugs and
insects, removed to the most elevated
portion of the Island, and went ac
tively to work erecting tents with
poles, bushes, and branches of small
trees. Before night most of the com
panies had booths up to keep off the
dew at night and the hot sun by day.
Camp Pelican was the name given
to these, suggested by the immense
number of those ugly birds which are
continuajly flying over the Island, and
diving into the water.
The Island of Contoy is a desolate
spot, about seventy-five miles distant
from Cuba, and by no means a suita
ble place to rendezvous men for any
length of time : they would do better
at once to "beard the lion (or snake,
to use a more appropriate comparison)
in his den." It is visited regularly
by Spanish fishermen from Havana,
in neat looking and fast-sailing Ameri
can built schooners or smacks. The
Yucatecos from Mugeres Island and
Yucatan, also come to it in their ca
noes. The Island is something like
half a mile in length, and several hun
dred yards in width. On its Western
side there is a small bay, where ves
sels of a large size can approach within
a mile of the beach, while on the op
posite side, and around its North-

Eastern point, ceaselessly dash waves
from the Caribean sea. Between it
and Yucatan lies Blanquiti Island, five
or six miles distant, which is inhabited
by a few Indians, of w horn the puny
Yucatecos and Spaniards are greatly
afraid. Contoy is nothing but rocks
and sand, the only specimens of vege
tation being immense prickly pears,
some bushes, long grass, a few dwarf
trees, and numberless lizards ! About
the middle of the Island there is a sort
of lake, almost completely hid from
view by the shrubbery around its mar
gin. The placid water of this lake is
beautifully clear, so that large fish
may be seen far down below the sur
face, and occasionally an alligator
may be heard to bellow among the
brush and plunge into its bosom!
Mugeres Island, which had been se
lected by Gen. Lopez as the place of
rendezvous, is some twelve miles South
of Contoy, and inhabited by about
three hundred Spaniards and Mexi
cans — two thirds probably of whom
are females, from which fact it is com
monly called " Women's Island."
The men mostly engage in fishing,
hunting shells, and cutting logwood
along the coast, while the women,
boys, and a few men cultivate small
patches of ground. There is good
water on this Island, but on Contoy
there is none fit to drink.
The first thing in order after the
Liberators were assembled on Contoy
was a general bathing in the breakers,
—a most delightful, refreshing and
invigorating sport. After dark camp
guard was mounted, and by direction

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

25

of Major Hawkins, three signal fires
were kept up. It must be evident that
this was a very dangerous measure,
and entirely unjustified by any suffi
cient necessity. We were indeed ex
pecting the Creole, who would look to
find us at Mugeres, unless her atten
tion was attracted to Contoy. But
there were many chances to one that
our signal fires would attract Spanish
cruisers instead of the GSreole, while
there was scarcely any danger but what
the latter would be sure to find us,
even if she went to Mugeres first,
The result of those signal fires will
presently be seen ; in the end a most
unfortunate one, at least for the Geor
giana and Susan Loud.
After the first comfortable night's
rest since leaving New Orleans, the
Liberators were up betimes next morn
ing; companies were paraded, and some
of them — particularly Capt. Robin
son's — had quite a creditable drill on
the sand, for men who had as yet
hardly lost the motion of the ship.
Very early, three sales had been dis
covered to the southward, all bearino-
rapidly down upon us. They had
doubtless been at Mugeres, when they
saw Major Hawkins' "signal fires."
In a few hours, one by one, they came
into the bay, sailed around the Geor
giana, and came to anchor; one on
each side and the third directly in
front of her, thirty or forty yards
nearer to the Island. These manoeu
vres created no little excitement on the
Island, which almost amounted to
consternation when all of them run to
the mast-head the colors of Old Spain.

Only eight or ten men remained on
board the Georgiana; those on the
Island had scarcely provisions for a
day, and in the way of arms only a
few pistols and bowie knives, and
there was only one boat, which was at
the ship, for communication. Thus,
if the Spaniards had any hostile intent
we were completely in their power.
Capt. Allen was the officer on our
bark. After waiting a while to see
what demonstrations would be made
by his new neighbors, he got into the
boat with two or three men and pulled
for the Island, passing boldly between
two of the smacks. The moment he
reached the beach, Maj. Hawkins,
with fifteen men under Lieut. Hardy,
jumped into the boat, to reinforce
those on the Georgiana. In passing
back, Maj. H. held a parley with one
of the Spaniards, who asked if we
were Americanos. He was told we
were, and bound for California; and
in return he informed us they were Pes
cadores from Havana. On getting
aboard the bark, Maj. H. determined
to pay the Spaniards a friendly visit,
but before starting ordered Lieut. Har
dy to get out twenty muskets and a
supply of catridges, keep vigilant guard,
and be prepared to do battle at any
moment. All the smacks were within
range; and if any treachery appeared,
twenty muskets well handled could
make their decks too hot for comfort !
Maj. H. and Quarter master Hoy ac
cordingly went aboard one of the
smacks, where they were treated most
cordially by the Spaniards, who set
out their wine, fruit, &c, and con-

26

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

versed in a very pleasant manner.
The Spanish skipper wanted to know
why we did not show our colors when
he ran up his ; jokingly, said he didn't
know but what we were some pirati
cal craft, and if he had a gun he would
have given us a shot. The fact was,
old Benson hadn't sense enough to run
up the stars and stripes, or he was so
badly scared he did not think of any
thing but the probability of swinging
from the yard-arm, or languishing in
Moro Castle. The interview over,
Hoy returned to the bark in our boat,
while Maj. H. was taken to the Island
in one of the Spaniard's skiffs. To
be on the safe side, Capt. Allen put a
box of muskets in the boat, with five
hundred catridges, which he took to
the Island. The Spaniards gave Hoy
some fine fish, after feasting on which
the ship-guard felt better able to pay
them in leaden coin, if they did not
keep their distance.
Towards evening, Col. O'Hara
returned from his excursion. His par
ty had passed the night on Blanquiti
Island, where they found two or three
Indiangirls, from whom, however, they
could not gain any information, as the
girls did not seem to understand Span
ish, or any other civilized language,
nor indeed to have any of their own.
The Col. was rather taken aback on
finding the Georgiana so surrounded,
and landed at the Island to learn the
position of affairs. Several of the men
had taken badly sick during the day,
in consequence of drinking the brack
ish water, and it was evident that it
would not do to remain there, for sev-

everal other reasons. Col. O'Hara
therefore went to the Spanish skipper,
engaged one of his sailors to pilot us
around to Mugeres, and hired his
skiffs to assist in immediately re-em
barking the battalion. All the compa
nies, except those of Capts. Wilson
and Robinson, were got on board
again that night. The two compa
nies named passed a second delightful
night on Contoy, "alone in their
glory" — some of the boys having
managed to get a bottle or so of mus
ed from the' Yucatecos who came to
sell turtles and vegetables. They
were taken aboard early next morning,
and shortly after, with our Spanish
pilot — a nicely dressed, fine looking
sailor, — who afterwards piloted the
Pizarro to that very spot, (and who it
has been learned since was none other
than a Spanish marine, acting as spy
— we sailed out of the bay for another
attempt to reach Mugeres, followed
closely by all three of the smacks.
About this time Captain Benson's
conscience began to trouble him. He
had for some days been in a bad
humor; the sight of the Spanish fkg
had brought vividly to his mind dan
gers and terrors of which he had
thought but lightly, when he was char
tering the Georgiana at New Orleans
for five hundred dollars a month ; the
last circumstance, which seemed to
finish his affliction^, was the conver-
sion of his little cabin into a hospital.
He now hoped the wind would blow
us to Havana instead of Mugeres ; said
he would not go there unless compelled,
and when told that he would be chained

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

27

in the hold unless he ceased to be so
fractiotis, "wished to God he could
fall in with a man-of-war." Poor, nig
gardly, and treacherous old slink? all
too soon was his foolish wish accom
plished. For four days we kept tacking
about, endeavoring to reach Mugeres.
The first day we had gained a few
miles, were almost in sight «of the
Island ; but during the whole of the
second day there was a dead, breath
less calm, in which the old bark
drifted off sixty miles, out of her
course. The pilot became disgusted
with her, saying she sailed like a crab ;
old Benson and Mate seemed deter
mined to make no extraordinary ex
ertions to get there; the men were
getting exceedingly tired of such use
less cruising; impatience and discon
tent began to breed mutiny, and so, on
the evening of the fourth day we were
at our old anchorage in Contoy bay
— all hands from the Col. to the
cooks, in a most unamiable mood.
That night Capt. Benson turned
traitor, and leagued himself with two
or three cowardly wretches, who had
all along been trembling, and whining,
and grumbling to get back to their
mammies. There were also other
causes for discontent, which had
been brought by the impolitic and in
judicious course of Col. O'Hara, and
most of his staff, from the start. The
Colonel, Maj. Hawkins, and one or
two satellites, seemed poorly to ap
preciate their position, and their con
duct in many respects evinced a sadly
deficient knowledge of human nature.

What folly for leaders like them, of
a band of men, nearly every one of
whom had intelligence enough to
know what obligations his situation
imposed, together with spirit and in
dependence, such as no official power
could abuse,— to affect a supercilious
dignity and high-toned authority?
Their commission was nothing more
than the acquiescence and support of
those men, yet they for a long while
acted as if it bore the signet of a na
tion. They heard that discontent
was threatened, but merely made use
of some scornful expression or abusive
allusion, and kept their "awful state,"
without deigning to make an effort
for pacification.
The men had all along been pro
mised a full explanation of the whole
plan, designs and prospects of the Ex
pedition, but up to this time the Col
onel had observed a wonderful silence,
an important secrecy, giving no one,
except perhaps Maj. Hawkins, the
slightest hint as to the course he was
pursuing and intended to pursue.
Many of the company officers even,
had become indignant at this pompous
affectation. They were not men so
slavish and puerile as to be forced to
commit their lives blindly and igno-
rantly to any man; it was enough that
they should do so willingly and un-
derstandingly. Such was the state
of affairs when old Benson put him
self at the head of the mutineers.
And more than this, discord had reared
its head in the very "staff," in conse
quence of an attempt to give the office
of Major in our battalion to Hawkins,

28

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

instead of the elder Hardy, who was
entitled to it by the preference of
four-fifths of the men, whom he and
his friends had enlisted, as well as
by a written promise, which for some
sly motive was now ungenerously
sought to be broken or evaded. The
Colonel was even blind and vain
enough, to try and shift the evils of his
own folly upon the men, by depreciat
ing their character, and upon the man
ner in which they had been enlisted.
Thus discord and disaffection pervaded
every rank, and was allowed to
strengthen with scarcely any opposi
tion. The night after our return to Con
toy, a desperate plan was proposed to
the mutineers by a rapscallion from
New Orleans, one /. Klingen Smith :
" Oh ! for a a tongue to curse the slave,
Whose treason like a deadly blight,
Comes o'er the counsels of the brave,
To blast them in their hour of might !"
This wretch proposed that they
should all get down in the hold near
the boxes of muskets, and at midnight
when all the officers were asleep, take
out the weapons, confine them to the
cabin at the point of the bayonet, and
return to New Orleans. Accordigly,
near the appointed hour, a number of
them assembled around some boxes
which were already broken open,
waiting for the word to make the on
slaught. But the plot was known in
the cabin, and by the officer of the
day, Capt. Robinson, who just at the
critical moment appeared before the
mutineers, informed them in a deter
mined tone, that all the ammunition
was in the cabin, and sooner than

they should succeed in their cowardly
design, he would blow them, ship and
all, "sky high." They were terrified,
and never again thought of attempting
to carry things by force. Capt. Ben
son then told the chief plotters, that if
they would get a majority to sign a pa
per, expressing their wish and determi.
notion to go back, he would make the
attempt to set sail. The renegade
Smith went actively to work, and be
fore night had got fifty or sixty signa
tures. That evening Maj. Hardy, after con
ferring with his friends, determined to
inform Col. O'Hara that unless he
came out before the men, with some
explanation of the scheme, they should
return; he would go no further with
men so disaffected, but felt confident
a proper course would fully satisfy
and inspirit them. So now at last,
came forth the " Compact." Imme
diately after supper, Col. O'Hara
read it to the assembled battalion, ad
ding a few remarks as to the prospects
of success, the time, place and means;
and concluded by stating that if Gen
eral Lopez from any cause failed to
join us in eight days, he would return
to New Orleans. This explanation
was received with great and almost
unanimous enthusiasm, and responded
to by three cheers for Lopez, three
for Cuba, and three for "annexation."
Then followed a regular mass meeting
— speakers were called out, and nearly
a dozen of the officers made glowing
speeches, full of war, glory, heroism,
independence, "Lone Stars," fame,
and immortality ! while the shouting

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

29

and hurrahing of the men drowned
even " old ocean's roar." The Spanish
smacks were at anchor near about us,
and must have been somewhat aston
ished, and perhaps frightened, as they
set sail before daylight for Havana.
Next morning the few inveterate con
spirators found themselves minus their
host, and sneaked off ashamed of them
selves. An oath was that day drawn
up for every true Liberator to sign,
pledging himself to obey the orders
of his officers, to submit to the rules
and Articles of War of the U. S.
Army, with true allegiance and sup
port to the Republican Government of
Cuba, at present represented in the
person of General Narciso Lopez.
This document was signed by all but
fifteen or eighteen, several of whom
were sick; no man who declined to'
sign it was permitted to be in a com
pany or go with the battalion to Cuba.
Thus by a very little exertion and
condescension was harmony and spirit
restored to the battalion.
By this time the supply of water
began to grow scarce. Mugeres was
the only place near where more could
be obtained, and all hope of reaching
there with the Georgiana had been
given up. At this juncture Lieut.
Sayre, with the Spanish pilot, and se
veral men were sent out in a small
boat for Mugeres, to make arrange
ments with the natives for furnishing
us with water, and to apprize Gen.
Lopez of our situation should the
Creole arrive there. Nothing now re
mained but to wait patiently for the
steamer.

What added to the general satisfac
tion and harmony was the fact that
the Yucatecos now visited us in their
little canoes, bringing large turtles,
fish, turtle eggs, water melons, vegeta
bles, &c, which were readily pur
chased, and furnished a change from
the salt meat, beans and hard crackers
upon which we had subsisted for some
days. These half-barbarian people
had not the slightest notion of what
our objects were in those waters.
Their supposition seemed to be that
we had come to fight the Indians, and
they spoke in raptures of the "great,
tall Americanos," who had come to
help them a few months before. In
deed, with good humor restored, and
a perfect understanding existing all
around, the time began to pass very
pleasantly. Occasionaly there was
some little excitement caused by a
knock-down or wool-pulling between
two Liberators who had not on the
crowded ship " room and verge enough"
to carry on their operations without
collision. The most serious distur
bance of this description occurred
early one morning among the cooks
for the several messes, before many
others were up. They had nearly a
dozen coffee pots on the stove, all
boiling away at a fine rate, and pro
mising a good breakfast to their pro
prietors. Suddenly hard words passed
between two cooks, which was suc
ceeded by rough pushing, and the next
moment — horror of horrors ! — coffee
and coffee pots began lo fly ! Had the
"moon-eyed herald of dismay" just
lighted on the mainmast, there could

30

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

scarcely have been a more instantane
ous uprising of sleeping Liberators?
at the yells of the scalded and batter
ing of tin as the hostile coffee pots,
hurled like the thunderbolts of Jove,
met in mid air! But this dire combat
was brought to a speedy close by the
gallant Lieutenant of the guard, Joe
Wheeler, who seized the principal
combatant by the throat, and seated
him in the midst of the spilt coffee
his impetuosity had sacrificed. To
those not engaged, this comico-tragi-
cal tableux was extremely laughable,
and was joked about for some time
after, even by the sufferers.
The night of May ] 3th was a jolly
time on board the Georgiana. Had
the battalion been within hearing of
any portion of "God's country,"
where the redeeming graces of the
Wesley an Gospel were practiced and
sought after, passers-by might very
naturally have imagined that christian
glory was being poured out upon
a fervent camp-meeting assemblage !
There were a large number of very
creditable vocalists on board, for
comic, love, pastoral, serenade, patri
otic and martial songs, or sacred and
psalm singing. Some cf the more re
fined performers were entertaining
the Staff with a concert, in the stern ;
while the great mass were congregated
forward, singing in full chorus paro
dies on old familiar hymn tunes. The
burden of one of these was —
" Oh ! Cuba ! oh ! Cuba ! I'm bound for the
land of Cuba !
Oh ! Cuba is my happy home —
I'm bound for the land of Cuba .'"
The symphony to this was an in

strumental (fiddle) performance by
" Squiseks," of "his favorite"—
" Kitty and the Babies," and it was
succeeded by Milburn Souther's regu-
lar old Kentuck, " Grey Eagle."
" Santa Anna's Retreat," a really
beautiful and touching piece of mu
sic, was often called for, and played
by Joe Smith, of Louisvillle, with
most creditable skill. That, and
sometimes a fine song from Jack Read
ing, of Shelbyville, almost brought
tears to eyes which but a few days
after flashed fire in the battle of Car
denas. Surely such men were not "fit
for treason, stratagem, and spoils."
By many that night will ever be re
membered. Long after all noise was
hushed, and the singers wrapped in
sleep, a few admirers of beautiful
scenery still sat enwrapt, musing on
the vast solitude, and silence broken
only by moaning breakers that lashed
the rocks of Contoy. What a poeti
cal situation! Above, "Pale Cyn-
thia," Queen of the Stars, in majesty
serene and modest beauty, on her
nightly promenade through the deep,
distant blue, spangled with burning
gold ! Below, the placid Bay, return
ing the starry gaze from heaven with a
" long, long kiss" of deep and true
reflection ! Around, the dark shadows
of the lonely Isles. The sighing
breeze through furled sails ! Within,
what treasured memories of home and
friends in a far-distant clime ! For
the future, what glorious anticipations!
No fears, no doubts, no regrets— there
the self-devoted " Liberators" lay,
calmly, withina few score miles of those

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

31

fields whereon they expected to rege
nerate a nation by deeds of patriotic,
inspired valor, or sink in heroic death
beneath the iron hoofs of myriad re
morseless, sanguinary tyrants. But, ah !
little did they then think disappoint
ment so sure and near, destruction so
fearfully imminent. Too true, amid
all the grandeur and sublimity of this
soul-inspiring picture —
" Oh ! Death with what an eye of desperate lust,
From out thy gaping vaults thou then didst look !"
We will now recur to New Orleans,
where, during all the time we have
been voyaging with the Georgiana,
important movements in the grand re
volutionary drama were taking place.
When the Kentucky Battalion left, the
Mississippi regiment was expected
down the river, by the 28th of April,
three days later. The extracts given
in the first part of this History show
what that force was expected to be —
" five hundred men, the very flower
of the Mississippi Volunteers in Mexi
co," with batteries of artillery, &c. —
All looked to this regiment as the
chosen corps, the " Old Guard" of
the Liberating Army. It was not
certainly known, but what they would
be led by the old warrior, Quitman
himself. The Kentuckians were even
prepared to yield them the post of
honor, nor feel degraded in doing so
to such veterans of war and sons of
chivalry, as the Mississippians were
— to have been! Col. C. R. Wheat,
of New Orleans, was also at that
time raising a battalion in the city,
which did not have such high preten
sions. In fact, many of the worth

less characters and blackguard rowdies
composing no small part of the popu
lation of New Orleans, who had ap
plied for and been refused admission
into the Kentucky Battalion, were
sent to Wheat's rendezvous. About
a week after the Kentuckians em
barked, Col. Wheat and Jtiis Lousi-
anians set sail on the brig Susan Loud.
They were one hundred and fifty or
sixty in number, and, although gener
ally a " rough set," there were among
the officers many who joined to good
soldiership undaunted gallantry. Col.
Wheat himself had served with dis
tinction on Gen. Scott's line in Mexi
co, and posessed a flattering reputa
tion as a cavalry officer. The Susan
Loud cruised about in the Gulf at no
great distance from the Balize, three
or four days, when she was overtaken
by the steamer Creole, which left New
Orleans about the 10th of May, with
the Mississippians, Gen. Lopez and
Staff. The Lousianians were then
transferred from the brig to the
steamer, the Captain of the former
being impressed into the Republican
service. That done, the Creole
ploughed her way in search of the
Georgiana and Mugeres Island, leav
ing the brig to follow as she could.
On her first night out the Creole en
countered a heavy gale, during which
the officers concluded she would cer
tainly go to pieces, and for several
hours were in momentary expectation
of watery graves. On her journey
also, it appears a mutiny broke out,
which was quelled by speeches from
General Lopez, and others; Gen. L.

32

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

promising the men that they should
receive their four thousand dollars, be
permitted to return so soon as the revo
lution was accomplished, and the Re
publicans in possession of Havana,
even if it should be within a few
weeks. Very early on the morning of the
14th of May, the joyful cry of " steam
er! steamer!!" roused the Keutucky
Battalion in Contoy Bay. At first,
only a moving cloud of smoke could
be discerned, but in a few minutes
Col. O'Hara, with the spy-glass, made
out a steamer of the Creole build,
heading directly for us. In a short
time more, the patriot signal was
clearly seen — a white flag, which was
also soon flying at the main-mast of
the Georgiana. Words can give but
a faint expression of the feelings
which now swelled the hearts of both
divisions on this safe and glorious
union. With what straining eyes
we watched the approaching steamer,
until her name, long familiar to our
thoughts and ears, was read with the
naked eye. Great heavens! had she
been the Pizzaro, instead of the
Creole, what a tragedy should have
there been enacted! Prisoners, the
Spaniard could never have taken them
alive. It was somewhat singular that
the thought or fear of such a catastrophe
never once disturbed the Liberators.
When within a few hundred yards
of each other, cheering commenced,
the Kentuckians giving some of those
famous Old Kentuck' yells, which
used to terrify the Mexicans so aw
fully. The enthusiasm grew sublime,

when, as the beautiful " Free Flag
of Cuba" was unfurled to the breeze,
shout after shout by the United Army
rent the air. The noble old General
stood uncovered on deck as the Creole
came alongside, while Capt. Lewis,
with a speaking trumpet, delivered
his salute, " General Lopez's compli
ments to the Kentucky Battalion, —
the Colonel will please come aboard."
Col. O'Hara and Maj. Hardy accord
ingly went on board the Creole, and a
brief council of war was held. In a
few minutes they returned, it having
been determined that the Creole
should go immediately on to Mugeres
for water, return next day, take the
Kentuckians on board, and proceed at
once to Cuba.
She was soon on her way, leaving
the patience of our Battalion to un
dergo another trial. No little disap
pointment was felt when it was ascer
tained that there were only about four
hundred and fifty men on the Creole,
and it was extremely doubtful whe
ther there was a single piece of artil
lery. The five hundred Mississippi
ans, "flower of chivalry," turned out to
be about one hundred and seventy-five
men, very few of them Mississippians
at that. The Lousianians were about
the same number, and the privates
mostly men of degraded character. —
The Kentucky Battalion was therefore
the right wing and van guard of the
Liberating Army. It will soon be
seen how well they deserved the post
of honor, and how gallantly they sus
tained their tvorld-renowned charcater
—the fame of " Old Kentucky." (I

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

33

speak of all as Kentuckians, but it
must be remembered^that more than
one-half were staunch "Buckeyes."]
Immediately on the arrival of the
Creole, the following Address was dis
tributed among the Liberators. Its
reading greatly elevated their pre
viously high ideas of the glorious
mission on which they had embarked,
and made them rank General Lopez
with the most daring patriots and sol
diers of any age or clime :
Soldiers of the Liberating Expedition
of Cuba !
The noble mission on which we
have started together, is one which
would alone suffice to nerve to heroism
the arm of every one holding a place
in our ranks, even if you were not
already the men of the field of Palo
Alto and Cherubusco, or brethren and
worthy peers of the men of those im
mortal victories.
Citizens of the great Republic, you
are going to give to Cuba that free
dom for which your example has
taught her to sigh ; to strike from the
beautiful limbs of the Queen of the
Antilles the chains which have too
long degraded her, in subjection to a
foreign tyranny, which is an outrage
upon the age ; to do for your Cuban
brethren what a Lafayette, a Steu
ben, a Kosciusco, and a Pulaski are
deathless in history for having aided
to do for you ; and eventually to add
another glorious Star to the banner
which already waves, to the admira
tion of the whole world, over " The
land of the Free and the home of the
Brave."

The people of Cuba would not
need that the first guard of honor
around the Flag of her nascent inde
pendence should be mainly composed
of their future fellow-citizens from the
United States, but for the peculiar
circumstances which have hitherto
given to her tyrants a paralyzing
clutch upon the throat of their pros
trate victim. Unarmed, unable to ef
fect the first beginning of organiza
tion for insurrection, and menaced by
Spain's perpetual threat of converting
into a worse than San Domingo, the
richest and loveliest of Islands beneath
the sun: your Cuban brethren have
been compelled to wait and long for
the hour when a first nucleus for their-
revolution shall be afforded them
by a gallant band of sympathing;
friends, like that which I esteem it
now the highest honor of my life trr
lead to this brilliant enterprise. The
Flag on which you behold the Tri
color of Liberty, the Triangle of
Strength and Order, the Star of the>
future State, and the Stripes of the-
three departments of Cuba, once un
furled to the wind on her shores, and
guarded by a legion of choice spirits,
amply powerful to deal Buena Vista'
fashion with any force which the de
tested Spanish Government in Cuba'
will be able to bring against it; the
patriotic people of Cuba will rally in.
joy aud exultation to its support;
while you leave behind you- untold
thousands, eager to tread in* your glo
rious track, under the head of one of
the most eminent chiefs of the unpar
alleled Mexican campaigns,, unless in-
3

34

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

deed we anticipated them by consum
mating our splendid task before they
have time to follow.
Soldiers of the Liberating, Expedi
tion of Cuba ! Our first act on arri
val shall be the establishment of a
Provisional Constitution, founded on
American principles, and adapted to
the emergencies of the occasion. This
Constitution you will unite with your
brethren of Cuba in swearing to sup
port, in its principles as well as on
the Field of Battle. You have all
been chosen by your Officers as men
individually worthy of so honorable
an undertaking. I rely implicitly on
your presenting to Cuba and the world,
a signal example of all the virtues as
well as all the valor of the American
Citizen-Soldier; and cannot be de
ceived in my confidence that by our
discipline, good order, moderation in
victory, and sacred respect for all
private rights, you will put to shame
every insolent calumny of your ene
mies. And when the hour arrives for
repose on the laurels which await your
grasp, you will all, I trust, establish
permanent and happy homes on the
bountiful soil of the Island you go
to free, and there long enjoy the grati
tude which Cuba will never fail gen
erously to bestow on those to whom
she will owe the sacred and immea
surable debt of her LIBERTY.
Narciso Lopez.
While awaiting the Creole's return,
the time was occupied in putting on
our temporary uniform, which had
been provided, viz : a red flannel shirt,
a black cloth cap, with a Lone Star

cockade, and "any sort" of pants —
the Captains generally wore white,
the Lieutenants black, the men, of
various shades and stripes.
The Creole had a hard voyage to
Mugeres against wind and tide, and
after her arrival found it a difficult
and tedious job to get a supply of wa-
ter. While there, one of the Louisi-
anians, who had been killed a day or
so before by the accidental discharge
of a sentinel's gun, was buried, Mr.
John M. McCann, chaplain of the
Expedition, officiating according to
the ceremonies of the Episcopal
Church ; General Lopez also had a re
view of the Mississippi and Louisi
ana Battalions.
Ten men deserted the night before
the Creole left Mugeres. An account
of what befell them will he given
hereafter. Gen. Lopez was told they
intended to capture a Spanish smack,
which lay there, and return with it to
New Orleans, upon which he towed
it around to Contoy. The General
also brought back to us Lieut. Sayre's
party. He proposed to the Spanish
Pilot to go with him, but the latter
could not be induced to desert ; not
because he had any great partiality
for old Spain, but he had a Dulcinea
on Mugeres. Before the Creole got
far from the Island, the deserters con
gregated on the beach and hoisted a
black flag — piratical colors, by way of
adieu ! At this indignity, the Libera
tors were strongly disposed to return
and chastise the impudent rascals, but
time was too precious. It will yet be
seen how sadly they repented the joke.

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

35

The Creole returned to Contoy on
the 16th of May. The first thing af
ter her arrival was the presentation
of a flag to the Kentucky Battalion.
This duty Lieut. Col. Pickett per
formed on joining his command. It
was done in a rather weak manner,
but of course did not fail to elicit tre
mendous huzzas, and greatly revived
the fierce flame of chivalric ambition.
With joyful hearts, the Kentuckians
then went aboard the Creole, glad to
get away from the filthy bark and
her contemptible old Yankee captain.
After all had left her but the craw-
fisliers, Dr. Knight, of Shelbyville,
addressed them from the deck of the
Creole in the most scornful and con
demnatory terms, which were con
cluded by three groans for the deser
ters. Some 'of the Louisiana deser
ters fared worse still. Their hands
were tied behind them, and they were
thus marched around the deck for
hours, before the whole army, hissing
and groaning. They were all finally
set to work heaving coal on board
from the Georgiana.
A heavy sea was rolling while the
vessels were lashed together, and the
surges drove them against each other
with fearful force. At every jam it
would seem as if the old Creole was
stove or broken in two. At length
sufficient coal had been got aboard,
and about midnight, the brave little
steamer again struck out to sea, driv
ing her course through the mountain
billows that dashed across her boiler
deck all that dreary night, toward that
bright goal' of the hopes and ambition

of the "Liberators" — The Island
of Cuba.

PART III.
voyage to and landing on the island of
cuba— battles at cardenas— vi ctorious
retreat — the p1zzarr0 — the chase —
arrival at key west.
" Cheerly to sea ! the signs of war advance."
The Creole, on leaving Contoy,
bore the " Cuban Expedition," in toto
— Generals, soldiers, proclamations,
arms and ammunition. Never was a
vessel so completely filled, and crowded
with destructive materials. The strict
est military discipline prevailed.
Guards were regularly detailed to
keep the men in their quarters ; none
but commissioned officer?, or those un
der their direction, were permitted to
pass from one part of the ship to
another. This was necessary to
keep her trimmed, having to run for
the first two days against a tremendous
heavy sea, so that without the best
management her wheels would not
half the time touch water. Several
companies were almost smothered in
the hold, whilst others scorched on
the deck, during the heat of the day ;
but in the morning and evening deck
quarters were really delightful. Be
sides, those companies had the advan
tage of being able to drill several
hours a day, and some of them at
tained a most creditable state of dis
cipline. General Lopez occupied the
Captain's cabin on deck, and often
walked among the men. The perfect
confidence and coolness they exhibited
seemed to please him much. A finer
body of men never appeared in any

36

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

uniform. The Kentuckians were ea
sily distinguished from those who
came on the steamer. They had al
ready undergone quite a campaign;
their long beards and dusky coun
tenances gave them a fierce, uncivi
lized aspect, but more in consonance
with the nature of their expected busi
ness than the new-reaped chins and
tidy apparel of the other battalions,
fresh from New Orleans. But all
this inconvenience and deprivation
was easily and cheerfully put up with,
under the consolation that it would
last but a few days, and be succeeded
by plenty and luxury in the rich cities
of "the Indies." The place at which
we were to land was said to be forty-
eight hours sail from Contoy.
At the time the Kentucky battalion
came aboard, a Court Martial was
sitting for the trial of a Lieutenant,
on charges of disrespect to his supe
rior officer. He was broke and re
duced to the ranks. This proceeding,
at so early a stage of the war,
smacked of rigorous discipline, rather
new to the Kentuckians. After the
Court Martial had adjourned, Gen.
Lopez convened all the field officers,
and laid before them his plan of at
tack. He had resolved to land at
Cardenas. His reasons for this change
from the first design were, that he
felt confident the Spanish fishermen
who had seen us at Contoy, would
report the facts at Havana; upon
which the authorities in Cuba would
at once conclude .where he intended
to land, and be prepared at those
joints. Thus, by changing his de

sign, he could surprise them at Car
denas, where they would have no ex
pectation of his landing, after seeing
him at Contoy. As we neared the
Island, the old General began to grow
visbly more restless. He usually sat
upon his bed, smoking a cigarito and
conversing with his Aids, or examin
ing a map of Cuba. Now he paced
the deck rapidly, spy-glass in hand,
eagerly watching and examining the
vessels, numbers of which were all the
time in sight. Once a large steamer
was discovered running athwart the
Creole's bow ; her course was imme
diately changed, and steam put on
for a race, but in a few hours she had
lost sight of the strange steamer. The
order, "off with your red shirts!"
was repeated several times a day, as
we ran close to suspicious looking
ships. The 18th of May was a beautiful,
glorious day, in the genial clime of
Cuba. The Gulf had become smooth,
the winds were calmed, all save a gen-
gle, delicious breeze. The Creole
was gliding gracefully and rapidly on
with her cargo of War. Her deck
was bristling thickly with bayonets,
that glittered in the fierce rays of a
southern sun. On the afternoon of
that day, we came in sight of the
Bahama Banks, and town of Nassau.
In the distance, it appeared like a
great city, with steeples towering to
heaven. The hearts of the Liberators
leaped at the scene of civilization
n in view. They began to snuff
the approaching contest. Friends
gave to each other their final injunc-

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

37

tions and pledges, for the survivor to
carry back from those who should fall
"amid the carnage and roar of bat
tle." Immediately after passing the Ba
hamas, orders were given for a grand
review of the Kentucky Battalion. —
Red shirts were carefully adjusted,
muskets rubbed, and swords buckled
on. But just before the appointed
time, came the astounding order — " off
with your red shirts — down in the
hold !" In an instant the deck was
cleared The Creole was completely
surrounded by vessels — from fifteen to
twenty being counted, on every side.
The General stood long at his spying
post, and then it was the Creole per
formed the artful dodger. It was al
most a dead calm — the sail vessels
could make little progress, while the
steamer running first one way and then
another, at last left them all astern,
after passing within speaking distance
of several. About sundown the re
view took place. The battalion was
drawn up, forming nearly a circle
around the entire deck ; General Lo
pez and staff being at the open space.
They passed around in review, the
old General fixing his keen black eyes
upon every man, as if he would pene
trate the soul. On regaining his posi
tion, he addressed the troops warmly
in Spanish, his speech being interpret
ed and delivered to them by Col.
O'Hara. He expressed his gratitude
for the generous confidence they re
posed in him, and hoped soon to show
them that it had not been misplaced.
They were about to strike the first

blow in a glorious revolution, the suc
cess of which would crown all with
honor equal to that which clusters
around the memories of their revolu
tionary fathers, with present rewards
far greater. All must observe the
strictest honesty and respect for the
property and persons of the people of
Cuba. They would meet no enemies
but the Spanish army. He enjoined
unhesitating obedience to orders ; said
that the fate of all might depend upon
strict silence when ordered. To take
Cardenas was the first and most neces
sary achievement, which must be ac
complished. This strange scene took place as the
setting sun threw its last beams upon
the Gulf, and was witnessed by sev
eral merchant ships, whose captains
and crews were greatly frightened, and
ran into port as soon as they could to
learn the meaning of it. Some of them
saw us in Cardenas next day, and said
they had seen the red shirts and bayo
nets for many miles at sea.
The following General Order was then
issued to the Army:
GENERAL ORDERS, No. I.
On addressing for the first time the
troops composing the advance of the
Army of Liberation of Cuba, who
have so generously attatched them
selves to the glorious cause of giving
Liberty and Free Government to the
people of my country — and whose
hearty co-operation has flattered me
in the highest degree, and inspires the
confident hope that the glorious enter
prise we are about to embark in will

38

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

be as gloriously ended as it has been
generously begun —
I find it necessary to have my views
translated into a language native to
yourselves, and with which I am un
fortunately unacquainted.
I desire that the accompanying ad
dress, expressive of my respect for and
confidence in the officers and privates
composing this command, shall be re
corded in the roll book of each com
pany, that each of my brave compan
ions may know my kind respects to
him. Soldiers ! I give you my solemn as
surance, that nothing that depends
upon me as your commanding general
shall be omitted to render the campaign
of short duration, and full of brilliant
achievements, worthy of the high esti
mation in which the American char-
eld throughout the world.
Narciso Lopez,
Commander-in-chief.
On board the steamship Creole,
May 18, 1850. By Order,
A- J- Gonzales,
Adjutant General.
ORDER OF THE DAY.
First officer of the Day for to-mor
row, will be Captain A. L. Rewen,
of company B. La. Reg't.
J. Ignage, will be recognized as
my First Aid-de-camp.
Captain Murry, as my Second Aid-
de-camp, as also I. M. Macias.
As Ajutant General of the Day,
Ambrozia J. Gonzales.
Annexed to the Staff, Col. G. N.

L. Smith, and Captain Beverly
Mathews. As Quarter-master of the Day,
Capt. J. Vesey.
As Commissary of War, Capt.
Moore. It was nearly dark when the work
of distributing ammunition com
menced; the greater part of it was
performed by moonlight. While this
was going on Gen. Lopez exhibited,
for the first time, considerable excite
ment. The ammunition boxes were
all open on deck, when suddenly
sparks of fire from the chimneys began
to fall around. The General was the
first to notice this danger, and called
out loudly to Gonzales, who was su
perintending the business. The idea
of being blown up on the eve of land
ing, might well agitate the old hero.
Each soldier was supplied with sixty
rounds of cartridges. The commis
sioned officers, in addition to large U.
S. sabres, were armed with " Jen-
ning's Patent Rifle," which fired a
leaden cartridge, deadly as grape shot,
at the rate of fifteen per minute. Two-
thirds of the whole were also armed
with bowie knives, and revolvers and
five shooters. When all had been
prepared for battle, the Kentucky Regi
ment took up its position on the boiler
deck, in readiness to land first.
By ten o'clock at night the Creole
had passed the light house some fifteen
miles from Cardenas, and was grop
ing her way slowly up the bay, be
tween numerous small Islands and
fleets of ships. The full moon shone
clear and bright; one could almost

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

39

read by its light. A fine breeze was
blowing off the land, and occasionally
vessels would fly past the steamer un
der full sail. The Liberators stood
motionless and silent; the whispered
cry of the leadman, or the officers giv
ing orders, with now and then the
clank of a sabre as they moved about,
was all that broke the dead silence on
that stealthily moving ship for hours.
The moon had gone down, when
at 1 o'clock on the morning of the 19th
May," jhe Liberators caught a first
glimpse of the promised land. A few
lights were glimmering in the distance,
while anon sounds came wafting o'er
the water, — we gazed upon Cardenas !
The city lay sleeping in beauty ; sweet
odors from its gardens already scented
the air, — the Sabbath had just begun !
Never shall I forget the exulting looks
and tones of Gen. Gonzales, as he
stood gazing upon his native land, —
the proscribed and condemned exile —
the wanderer — returning upon his
heartless oppressors in the power of
patriotism and steel. " Ah !" he ex
claimed between shut teeth, "we'll
soon sway it over them !"
In a short time more the Creole
was within a few yards of the pier.
It was necessary to take a line ashore.
Capt. Lewis ordered his men to do it ;
they hesitated; in a moment, the
dauntless little fellow plunged into the
water with the line in his mouth. He
gained the pier, fastened it, and in a
few minutes the steamer lay snugly
alongside. Some watchmen on the
wharf fled in dismay.

The Kentuckians now began to land,
filing off the st§amer on a plank, and
forming in column of companies as
they reached the street. They were
followed by the Mississippians, the
Louisianians being in the rear. Two
companies of Kentuckians, under Lt.
Col. Pickett, without halting, passed
rapidly through the city, following
the railroad track, to take possession
of the locomotive and cars. The re
maining four companies, under Col.
O'Hara, were obliged to halt two or
three times, the Cuban guide who had
come with the Expedition having got
lost from the Col. who consequently
did not know which way to go in
search of the garrison. The street too
was full of teams and large wagons,
under charge of negroes, who had to
be driven out of the way. Col. O'Hara
was countermarching his men, after
several attempts to get information
from citizens and negroes, whom he
seized in the street, but who were so
terrified they could not speak, when
he met Gen. Lopez, &c, who pointed
out the way. The column was again
put in motion for the garrison, and
had proceeded about two squares into
the city, when the sentinels began to
challenge, "Halta! qui vive ! qui
vive!" rang through the midnight
air. The Colonel's answer was
"Friends and Lopez," upon which
the sentinels fired, and our gallant
leader was badly wounded. "Column
forward!" was his last order, as he
scrambled to one side, and the batta-

40

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

lion rushed on in pursuit of the flying
sentinels. The garrison was situated about
three squares from the pier at which
our steamer lay, on one corner of the
Plaza ; on the opposite corner, across
the Plaza, was the Governor's
palace; between them a large and
massive church occupied one whole
side of the square; on the opposite
side, being a long, low, black-looking
building, the uses of which is not
known, but which was, soon after the
fight commenced, filled with men.
One or two companies had marched
past the Garrison before the firing
commenced, but by the time the others
came up, incessant vollies poured
from three immense iron-barred win
dows. This was returned by each
company as it marched up, notwith
standing the efforts of the field offi
cers to prevent it. While this was
going on at the Garrison, the advanced
companies encountered a detachment
of Spaniards on the Plaza, marching
toward it. A brisk firing ensued be
tween them, and the Spaniards, after
delivering several fine vollies, finally
retreated into the Governor's Palace
before a charge of bayonets by Capt.
Wilson's company . The Louisianians
had turned up a cross street before
reaching the Garrison, and laken a
position in its rear.
The Mississippians and part of the
Kentuckians were now fairly engaged
on all sides, part of them occupying
the open square, and storming the
Governor's house, while others as

saulted the Garrison with great spirit.
The Louisianians also finally came
around to take a part in the contest,
raising a savage yell as the loud voice
of their Colonel was heard exclaim
ing — " Louisianians ! your Colonel is
killed ! Go on and avenge his death !"
This was a mortal mistake ; his Colo-
nelship having been only smartly
scratched on the shoulder by a ball
from some house top ! !
In the absence of official reports, it
would be impossible to give any in
telligible account of the different
movements during the battle. Gen
eral Lopez soon saw that his plan of
taking Cardenas without fighting had
been frustrated, and rushed into the
battle with perfect fearlessness; some
times approaching within a few feet of
the Garrison windows, careless of the
tremendous firing on both sides, en
deavoring to speak to the Spaniards
within. For three hours the firing
continued furiously. Some companies
'stood pouring volley after volley of
musketry against the thick garrison
walls, against the Governor's house,
and even the church, of course doing
very little damage, but making an aw
ful uproar. Others rapidly traversed
the streets in search of foes, whose
locality could only be made out in the
thick darkness by the flashing of their
guns from house tops and windows.
So long as the Spaniards kept their
concealment, they fought with deadly
determination ; but about daylight the
garrison door was battered down,
when, before the Liberators had time

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

41

to rush in, the Spanish soldiers rushed
out, threw down their arms, and sur
rendered. A few minutes before this
General Lopez, finding but those
on the Governor's house kept up
a deadly attack without being the
least exposed, set fire to it in the lower
story. It was soon enveloped in
flames; but even after the roof had
fallen in, a party of soldiers kept
firing from one corner, killing and
wounding several men. This was af
ter the Governor had surrendered, and
wastakenprisoner — probably unknown
to those soldiers — which fact so en
raged the Liberators, that they raised
the cry of "no quarter," and sur
rounded the entire square that not a
soldier should escape slaughter. One
party entered the iron gates in rear of
the house, tvhere they found some
Spaniards whom they instantly bayo-
netted and cut to pieces with sabres.
But in a few moments these terrible
proceedings were stopped by Col.
Bell, of the Mississippians, who drew
off the companies, and formed a line
on one of the streets. After daylight,
parties of lancers several times made
a show of charging down the streets,
but retreated as soon as they were faced
by a company of Liberators. During
the whole day they kept galloping
about the outskirts of the city.
By 8 o'clock in the morning, the
Liberators were in full possession of
Cardenas ; they held as prisoners the
Lieut. Governor, and three other of
the highest civil and military func
tionaries in the District; had suffered

a loss of some six or eight killed, and
twelve or fifteen wounded; the Spanish
loss was probably about the same,
notwithstanding they had fought most
of the time behind impenetrable walls.
On the cessation of hostilities, the
grand inquiry was for something to
eat and drink. The Liberators had,
during the morning, occupied a num
ber of large stores of every discription,
but most scrupulously abstained frdm
appropriating the least article even of
food; although for three days past
but few of them had eaten anything
more than hard crackers, with a very
small allowance of water. General
Lopez established his head-quarters
at the Garrison, and walked about
among the people, talking to them as
he distributed his proclamation. He
also made a speech to the Spanish
soldiers, who had been captured, giv
ing them some of his printed appeals
to the Spanish army, after which they
tore off the uniform of Queen Isabel,
trampled it under foot, shouting
"Hurrah for Lopez and Liberty."
The General's Aids were also very
active, in riding about the city en
deavoring to rouse the Cubans. One
of them with a drum and bugle paraded
the streets, beating for volunteers.
Not a single Cuban fell in. During
the day some sixty or a hundred went
to head-quarters and signified their
willingness to join the Liberators,
whenever they could be provided with
arms and officers. Others brought in
a few old shot-guns, and forty or fifty
fine horses, for the use of the army.

42

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

The universal remark of the Cubans
was that the force was too small ; that
before the next day five thousand
Spanish troops would be upon them,
and therefore to join Lopez, or show
him the least favor, would only be to
ensure their ruin and destruction.
With so small a force, and no artillery 5
it was impossible that he could get
possession of Matanzas, between
which place and Cardenas he would
have to meet several thousand Spanish
troops well appointed. These things
were apparent to every man, and of
course all were greatly disappointed.
Where were those " hosts of friends "
who were to have welcomed us ? The
Cubans scarcely dared to speak.
They merely walked about, bowing
and scraping to the red shirts. In
truth, never were six hundred men in
a more hopeless, lost, and desperate
situation. All, however, remained
perfectly cool; walked around the
city, eat, drank and slept, as if there
were no Spanish army on the Island.
The men drank a great deal of liquor,
of every description, most of which
had a stupifying effect; from which it
was afterwards generally believed to
have been drugged. The railroad
cars, under charge of Quarter-master
Hoy, ran from the steamer to the de
pot all the afternoon, conveying bao--
gage. No one had any other idea
but that Gen. Lopez still intended to
go towards Matanzas. But toward
evening, he announced his determina
tion to re-embark. Capt. Robinson's
Company was then ordered down to

the steamer, to reship the baggage,
and get coal and water on board.
The Louisianians and Mississippians
were also ordered down about five
o'clock. About one hundred and
seventy-five men of the Kentucky bat
talion remained up in the city as a
rear guard. It was known that a
Spanish force of about two hundred
Infantry and one hundred Lancers
had entered the city, but they appeared
to be in no hurry to make an attack,
and as nothing now was to be gained
even by a victory over them, General
Lopez desired if possible to embark
without an engagement.
Soon after the Mississippians and
Lousianians retired, the Spanish sol
diers began to make a show of fight.
The Infantry were concealed in yards
and houses on the upper side of the
Plaza. The Liberators were drawn
up in line of battle on the lower side,
with flanking companies one square
to the right and left. The Spaniards
opened the battle by firing upon the
Rev. John McCann and Maj. Dixon,
of Mississippi. These two gentlemen
had heen walking about the city, un
aware of what was expected ; on re
turning to the Plaza they passed
within a few feet of a yard and house,
behind which the Spaniards were
concealed, several of whom rushed
out and fired upon them. Mr. McCann
fell mortally wounded into the arms
of his comrade, who essayed to carry
him off, but seeing the Spaniards ap
proaching, the generous young man
desired Maj. D. to save himself, tell-

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

43

ing him that he was killed. Neither
of them had any fire arms. Maj.
Dixon, however, drew his sword with
a tremendous sweep, which brought
several Spaniards " up standing." —
He reached th eline in safety,and the
next moment six or eight Spaniards
were brought to the ground by a vol
ley from the Liberators. The Spani
ards shot Mr. McCann several times
after he fell, and were rushing up to
bayonet him, when the Kentuckians
fired upon them effectually from
"long taw." The whole body of
Spanish infantry then suddenly ap
peared in line of battle on the oppo
site side of the Plaza. The Lancers
were two squares further up the main
street, going through a variety of bril
liant movements preparatory to a
charge. The houses and by-streets
were full of citizens, gazing with in
tense anxiety upon the scene of ap
proaching battle.
The Kentuckians stood their ground,
coolly eyeing the enemy's manoeuvres,
with considerable admiration for their
beautiful precision. These through,
the Spaniards began to advance at a
"charge bayonet," and when within
good musket shot the Liberators
poured into them a few vollies, which
drove them back in confusion. Firing
then commenced in every direction,
numbers of the hostile Spanish citi
zens having got up on the housetops
around the Plaza. Three times the
Spanish officers rallied their troops
for a charge, but each time they fell
back with increased confusion and

loss, and in a very few minutes re
treated off the Plaza.
Major Hawkins then ordered his
men to fall back one square toward
the bay, that they might not be at
tacked in rear. The Lancers seeing
this, thought them in retreat, and im
mediately came charging down in
glorious style. They came very near
cutting off the flanking companies,
who had to travel faster than double
quick time, but fell into line soon
enough to face about and give their
pursuers a hot reception. Whirling
their lances and quickly dodging from
one side of their horses to the other,
the Lancers came thundering on in
gallant style. But they were soon
taught that it would take something
more than a brilliant display to con
quer American Liberators. No sooner

had they come within range, than
horses and riders began to bite the
dust in bloody confusion. Before
reaching the line, more than one-half
lay stretched in death, the balance
flying up cross streets in dismay.
Again and again they returned with
desperate fury, and senseless rashness,
until the last squadron gallopped into
the very midst of the Liberators, and
but a single Lancer made his escape.
Out of a hundred, seventy or eighty
lay killed and wounded, their mad
dened horses dragging and trampling
them to death. The Liberators lost
eight or ten killed, and twenty odd
wounded, almost entirely in their con
test with the Spanish Infantry, of
whom they could not have killed and

44

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

wounded less than fifty. The wide
street and Plaza was strewn with
bodies for to squares.
Such was the result of the battles
at Cardenas, which have since been
celebrated as magnificent Spanish vic
tories! Truly Spanish, indeed! May
they celebrate many such. But the
loyal Castillian lady, who has com
posed music on the "Retreat from
Cardenas," should be careful to give
her notes mournful and lamenting
sounds ! It is almost as bad as the
Mexicans celebrating their victory of
Buena Vista ! Her Spanish Majesty's
ships deserve more credit for running
than her soldiers for fighting.
The Kentuckians maintained their
position sometime after slaying the
Lancers, but no more foes appearing,
they picked up their wounded and
marched on down to the pier. It was
now dark— about 8 o'clock at night,
but the vessel was not ready to go out,
so they formed a breastwork of hogs
heads at the far end of the pier, to ob
struct the Spaniards, should they de
sign to attack the steamer as she went
out. There they waited for more
than an hour for the order to come
aboard. The Mississippians and Louisian
ians had been at the pier and aboard
the Creole two or three hours. Some
of the companies had formed to go up
on hearing the fighting of the Lancers,
but the General forbade them. Some
of them, however, became very anx
ious to be off. It is asserted, by a
number of most creditable witnesses,

that Lt. Col. Bunch, of the Missis
sippi battalion, at one time was about
to cut the steamer's cable and go out,
leaving the Kentuckians on shore.
He was prevented by Captain Lewis,
of the Creole, as true and undaunted
a man as ever breathed, — who drew
his pistol and stood by the rope, de
claring he would shoot the first man
who attempted to cut it. The deep in
famy of this act of Col. Bunch needs
no comment. It is said he has since
shot Capt. Lewis for stating the fact;
if he intends to treat all in the same
manner, there are plenty of fine tar
gets in this region of country !
During the day passed at Cardenas,
Adjutant Titus, of the Ky. Battalion,
called at the custom-house, and de
manded the "availables," belonging
to her Majesty's government. The
polite officers set out their wine and
fruits, pointed out the safe, and fur
nished two negroes to carry it to head
quarters. It was an amusing sight to
see the gallant Adjutant guarding the
safe several squares by himself, sword
in hand, having thrown away his
coat and hat in the heat of the en
gagement. The safe was with diffi
culty broken open, and found to con
tain only eighty-four doubloons. These
were the first fruits (and only) of vic
tory !
About 9 o'clock the Kentucky Bat
talion was ordered on board. Be
fore the Creole got beyond musket
shot, a volley of balls came whizzing
over her deck from some Spaniards
on the pier. The Governor, and

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

45

other Spanish officials, with thirty-
four soldiers who joined the Libera
tors, made the vessel more crowded
than she was in coming in, the cabin
being filled up with wounded men.
The deck was literally covered with
loaded muskets, rifles, pistols, sabres,
and bowie-knives, thrown down by
the exhausted men, who lay down to
sleep in the very jaws of death. Sev
eral were accidentally wounded within
a few minutes, among them one of
Gen. Lopez's Aids, Maj. Hawkin's,
and an officer of the Mississippians.
And now the Liberators are leaving
those shores for which they had longed
so many weary days and nights, — in
what a sad, and unfortunate condition !
Let si'ence speak their feelings. Lan
guage is dull, and but few hearts could
ever appreciate the emotions which
crushed and tore every sensitive bosom
on that awful night. The day may
not be distant when the^ cowardly de
traction, the taunts and jeers of ignoble
tongues, will be hushed in shame.
The Creole had proceeded some
five miles from Cardenas, when she
grounded on a sandbar. The tide
falling left her there, and now com
menced a scene of horror rarely equal
led. The whole night was spent in
tremendous efforts to get her off, the
officers well knowing that unless she
got off before many hours, all were
destined to perish miserably. Many
began to regret having left Cardenas,
where they might at least have died
fighting ; but caught by a man-of-war
on the sea, they were totally helpless,
could only go to the bottom in despair.

After trying several hours to warp the
steamer off, an order came to throw
overboard the heaviest articles of pro
vision. It was soon done. Still she
would not move an inch. Then the
ammunition was thrown over in im
mense quantities, the boxes piling up
above the surface of the water in
several places. This was equally in
effectual. The last resort was then
tried, which, assisted by the rising
tide, proved successful. Nearly two
hundred men were landed on a small
island a few rods distant, and then the
Creole was once more afloat. They
were taken on board again, and at the
dawn of day, our steamer was care
fully running out of the bay. The
sun was up, and mist cleared away,
as the light-house appeared in view.
Here Gen. Lopez stopped and put off
his Spanish prisoners in a small boat,
after a very earnest interview, giving
to each of them a few dollars in silver.
The Lt. Governor was a very fine
looking, dignified and soldierly man.
He took everything very complacently,
sleeping at night on the bare deck in
front of General Lopez's cabin. On
leaving the steamer he waved adieu
with his handkerchief in handsome
style. The other two seemed more
fearful and disheartened.
Among the dead left at Cardenas,
was Lieut. J. J. Garnett, of Virginia.
Lieut. J. served as an officer in a. Vir
ginia regiment during the Mexican
war. He was of a good family, high-
spirited, fine looking, and what ren
dered his death a peculiarly melancholy
event, was the fact of his having torn

46

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

himself from the entreaties of a beau
tiful young lady in New Orleans, to
whom he was betrothed. His loss
was deeply regretted even by those
who had known him but a few weeks.
He was killed instantly by a ball
through the brain.
The mournful death of Mr. John
McFarland McCann, has already
been detailed. Mr. McCann was rais
ed at Paris, Bourbon county, Ky.
He was well known throughout mid
dle Kentucky, where he had figured
as a speaker and writer, before he had
attained his majority. He was not
yet twenty-two years of age at his
death. Mr. McCann was a printer
by profession. From early age he
had devoted his leisure hours to study,
and acquired a fine scientific and
classical education. His mind was of
the most forcible cast. Few men of
his age are more deeply versed in the
philosophy of the human heart and
character than was Mr. McCann.
Latterly, he had devoted himself to
the study of Theology, intending to
become an Episcopal minister. He
removed to Cincinnati nearly two
years ago, where he for some time
edited the Nonpareil with distinguish
ed ability, and was for some months
a tutor in St. John's College. He
had already passed an examination,
with high credit, before distinguished
clergymen. His idea of accompany
ing the Expedition as Chaplain was
somewhat singular; but he was wel
comed by Gen. Lopez with great cor
dially, who assured him that he looked
upon his presence in the army, and

contemplated plans in the future Re
public, as an interesting feature of the
revolution — an omen of liberality and
reform in matters religious as well as
political. Alas ! his hopes were " strewn like
leaves on the blast." In his tragical
death he displayed all those generous
and heroic qualities which charac
terized his life. Had he been spared,
he would no doubt have become a
bright ornament to his country.
" But he lies in dust, and the stone is rolled
Over his sepulchre dim and cold."
Capt. Logan, was brought on board
the Creole terribly mangled, and the
next day his body, with that of a Mis
sissippi officer, committed to the deep
— Judge Pinckney Smith making an
appropriate funeral oration.
An hour or so after getting out of
the bay, a large steamer was discover
ed. The Creole immediately tacked
about and ran from her. By this time
an excited discussion was going on
among the officers as to what course
should be pursued. General Lopez
had expressed his desire to land again
on the Island at Mantua. In this he
was at first supported by a few officers,
particularly Col. Wheat, of the Louis
ianians, and Maj. Hardy, Adjutant
Titus, and Capt. Allen, of the Ky.
Battalion. They were violently op
posed by other officers, particularly
Capt. Knight, and several other Cap
tains and Lieutenants; Col. O'Hara
also declared the proposition to be
madness. It was finally agreed to
leave the question to a vote of the
men. Col. Wheat had pledged him-

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

47

self that his regiment would be willing
to land again, but on taking the vote
only seven men in it were found to be
so ! I do not know that a single Mis-
sissippian was willing to go back.
In the Kentucky battalion fifteen or
twenty expressed themselves willing
to go anywhere with General Lopez.
When the decision was made known
to the General he resigned his com
mand, asking it as a favor of the men
that they would land him in Cuba
alone, or with the few who were still
willing to follow him. On investiga
ting to see whether this could be done,
it was found to be simply impossible,
for want of coal and water. Key
West was the only place the vessel
might reach with her supply of coal,
a great portion of it having been con
sumed while she was aground. After
this, no man was in favor of going to
Mantua, or rather trying to get there.
That night the Creole came to anchor
within forty miles of Key West.
Early next morning a pilot was
taken on board from one of the numer
ous wreckers on the Florida coast, and
the steamer got under way for Key
West. When within about thirty
miles of that port, the smoke of an
other steamer was seen several miles
off. The stranger was soon found to
be going in a different channel; but
not long after the old General's keen
eyes made her out a Spanish man-of-
war. The Spaniard did not at first
appear to have discovered the Creole,
until he got abreast of her, four or five
miles to windward. Immediately on
doing so, the immense Pizarro whirl

ed about with astonishing rapidity,
and then the chase commenced. To
keep the fearful calm, a report had at
first been circulated by the officers that
the smoke of the Spanish steamer was
a brig on fire. Now there could be no
deception. Her towering bulwarks
were plainly to be seen, and with a
spy-glass the Spanish flag, flying from
her mast head.
The Gulf was smooth, the wind in
her favor, and under a perilous press
of steam, the little Creole flew through
the water as if she knew what stakes
depended on the race. The Pizarro,
too, was throwing huge clouds of black
smoke from her chimneys, and plough
ing the waves w ith a stately speed, as
if confident of achieving a great and
memorable service to her Queen. It
was soon apparent that the man-of-war
was gaining on the Creole ; the vessels
were now within two miles of each
other, and Key West yet eight or ten
miles distant. The Creole's coal be
gan to grow scarce, and by the time
the light-house could be seen, the last
shovel full was thrown upon her fires.
Bacon meat was then substituted, with
red shirts, and such other combustibles
as could be found, which kept up
steam, and still the little steamer dar
ted towards her haven. Occasionally
the Pizarro would attempt to cut
across over the reef between her and
the victim, but failed, with a loss of
time. A few minutes more, and the Creole
went round the point, losing sight for a
moment of her savage pursuer. Hun
dreds of people at Key West were on

48

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

the house-tops, watching the chase
with intense anxiety. As the Creole
ran into port, many a hat and hand
kerchief waved in welcome to her worn
and weary passengers ; while flags ran
up on every ship and public building,
in anticipation of a bombardment.
The Creole had not yet touched the
pier, when the Pizarro also came round
the point, bearing down as if it was
intended to run directly over her. But
the General of Marines was not quite
so lost in excitement; he knew that
on his action at that moment depended
the fate of Cuba, and contented him
self by sheering off when within a
few yards of the victorious Creole,
while he protested in a loud voice
against the Pirates being permitted to
land. But they did land, and most
of them yet hope, under more favor
able stars, to land again  on the
Coast of Cuba.

PART IV.
THE LIBERATORS AT KEY WEST — DISPER
SION OF THE ARMY— CONCLUSION.
It would require a pen far more
graphic than that of the humble au
thor, to give a just description of the
grateful and joyful feelings which
filled the hearts of the Liberators, on
landing at Key West. Even those,
not of the Expedition, who witnessed
the landing, could hardly conceive
the full extent of those feelings, for
they were not manifested in any ex
traordinary manner. Indeed,; from
the behaviour of the men generally,

during the chase, one would have sup
posed but few of them realized the
desperate chances they were running
for life. Col. Bunch exhibited the
most active display of terror, as the
steamerneared Key West. The cooler
and more intelligent officers, felt quite
confident that the Spaniard would not
fire upon the American flag, which
floated above the Creole, in Ameri
can waters. But Col. B. determined
to trust nothing to laws or flag. Being
in momentary expectation of a broad
side from the Pizarro, he jumped into
one of the small boats, suspended on
the side of the Creole, and stood,
bowie-knife in hand, ready to cut the
boat loose at the first fire, and make
for the shore. His conduct after
landing was equally disgraceful, being
among the very first to get off, leaving
his men without even a word of ad
vice or consolation, much less an act
of assistance. The universal oppro
brium which followed him is doubtless
well remembered by all who were then
on the Island. It was even said that,
on a rumor being circulated of an offer
of fifty thousand dollars for Gen. Lo
pez, by the Spanish General, he ex
pressed himself in favor of delivering
Gen. L. over. But I record with
pleasure that the bare idea of such an
act was repudiated and abhorred bv
all. The Pizarro had been at Key
West the evening before the Creole
arrived, inquiring for her, and the
General of Marines had reported an
exaggerated story of the doings at
Cardenas— that the Pirates had sacked

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

49

the city, indiscriminately slaughtered
five hundred citizens, and robbed her
Majesty's custom house of sixty thou
sand dollars, besides kidnapping a
number of slaves and soldiers. The
people, therefore, knew the state of
hostility between the two veesels ; but,
under1 the exciting circumstances, they
could form no certain idea as to what
would take place on the belligerents
coming into such close quarters, even
in a neutral port. From the Pizarro's
movements it was feared that the
Spaniards intended to bombard the
town, or at least to blockade the har
bor. She had run in without firing
the customary salute, paying no atten
tion to the Health officer, and the
General of Marines was evidently in
a prodigious state of wrath and ex
citement. Nor could the inhabitants
well guess what might be the conduct
of the Liberators — six hundred men
thus thrown upon a small Island, in
most desperate condition, with no au
thority or force sufficient to restrain
or control them. Their appearance,
too, might well excite apprehension.
Their beards were unshaven for many
days, countenances sunburnt, and hair
uncombed; hunger and thirst, joined
with the intense excitement of the
chase just over, had given to many a
wild, fierce, lawless, and wreckless
Expression of countenance ; — being
also armed to the teeth with various
weapons. The Creole had scarcely touched
the pier, when the men began to jump
hastily upon it . Order was, however,
soon restored, the men formed in line

and marched to the United States bar
racks — winding along the beach for
half a mile, in full view of the Pizarro,
whose broadside was directly toward
them, and her officers watching their
movements through spy-glasses with
great curiosity. There were ten or
twelve large pieces of artillery in the
garrison yard, about which the men
collected, discussing the feasibility
of knocking the Pizarro to pieces.
Many were strongly in favor of doing
so ; but the more influential had de
termined to do nothing in violation of
the laws of their country.
A few moments after the Creole-
was moored, at the pier of the Spanish
Consul, the United States Marshal and
Revenue officer seized her. Lieut.
Rodgers, of the Navy, shortly after
went on board and seized the arms,.
which he had transfered to his cutter.
The officers, however, mostly retained
possession of their side-arms. A great
many of the men also levied on the
patent rifles.
It was soon generally understood
that each man must take care of him
self — the organization was dissolved,
and officers no longer claimed autho
rity. General Lopez immediately re
tired to a private room, and did not
show himself in the street during the
day. Very few of the American offi
cers assumed to give direction. Conr
fusion and uncertainty reigned for
nearly two days, while the Pizarro
remained anchored off the town.
None were willing to risk going out
in boats, lest they should be captured.
Among other things, it was rumored
4

50

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

that the Spanish General designed to
land his four hundred grenadiers.
This produced no little stir; most of
the Liberators heartily wished that
the General would try that game.
The citizens also took a lively in
terest in the project, and expressed
themselves ready to furnish ammuni
tion, arms, &c, whenever its execution
should be attempted. It turned out
to be nothing more than a bullying
Spanish threat. During the first night,
both parties were very uneasy, each
expecting an attack from the other.
General Lopez himself, for some rea
son, thought it safer to sleep among
the men at the garrison than in the
town; and accordingly he lay down
on one of the porches, while most of
his Aids patrolled around the garrison
and along the beach, during the whole
night. On the next day some of the U. S.
authorities at Key West went on board
the Pizarro, and held an interview
with the General of Marines. They
found him in a very surly humor. He
demanded indignantly why the Pirates
had been permitted to land? Judge
Lancaster aptly retorted the question,
by asking why his Generalship had per
mitted them to land at Cardenas, not
withstanding his big guns and picked
men, none of which they had ready
for use at Key West ! Upon this, it
was reported, the Spaniard magnani
mously offered to put his entire force
under command of the U. S. officers,
to capture and destroy the Liberators.
The offer was declined ; but by way
of pacifying the General, seven niggers

who had secreted themselves on board
the Creole while at Cardenas and been
brought away, were delivered into his
august possession.
Toward evening a fishing smack
from Havana arrived, and after com
municating with the Pizarro, the latter
immediately went out, having kept up
steam during the whole time she re
mained in port.
The Liberators, aided by the citi
zens, then began to devise ways and
means of getting off to the main land
of Florida. Officers and men were
nearly all in the same situation — des
titute of funds, having thought it alto
gether unnecessary to take money with
them on leaving New Orleans. General
Lopez was in possession of about fif
teen hundred dollars. This he handed
over to the American officers, for them
to do with it what they thought pro
per. It was agreed among them, to
take eleven hundred dollars for distri
bution among the wounded men, and
the Spanish soldiers who had joined
General Lopez. The balance was
returned to the General.
At twelve o'clock of the night on
which the Pizarro went out, the Isabel,
mail steamship between Charleston
and Havana, arrived at Key West.,
It was supposed by many that the
Pizarro had only gone out a few
leagues, with the intention of board
ing the Isabel when she came out on
her way to Charleston; and of taking
prisoners all the Liberators who might
embark. General Lopez, on hearing
of these apprehensions, at once deter
mined to take passage, first

passage,

arming

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

51

himself with the determination to fight
to the death before he should be captur
ed. He arrived at Savannah two days
afterward. The history of his several
arrests, and proceedings since that time,
are well known. A few small parties
also got off the same night in boats
for Tampa.
On the evening of the third day at
Key West, the citizens held a meeting
to decide upon measures in reference
to those men unable to get away. At
this meeting an excited discussion took
place, which resulted in a knock down,
after it adjourned, between a friend of
the Liberators and one who denounced
them. No measures were proposed
by the meeting, but several citizens
waited upon the officers of the Expedi
tion, and informed them that if they
desired to take the Creole by ftfrce
from the U. S. authorities, they (the
citizens) would not interfere to prevent
it. Coal and water could be put on
board in a few hours, and the vessel
taken to Mobile or New Orleans.
This proposition was declined, though
some of the officers wished to accept
it, and set men to work putting coal
on board. Finally, however, they
gave up the attempt.
With very few exceptions, the people
at Key West were disposed to act
cleverly towards the Liberators. The
most conspicuous exceptions were
Marvin and Douglass. The mean"
ness of these two renegades utterly
disgusted their own friends, and they
were reprobated by every true Flori-
dian. In truth, any American who
would not, under all the circumstances

which there surrounded them, evince
more sympathy towards countrymen,
is a disgrace to any city. Generally
the people of Key West exhibited
more kindness and generosity than was
expected. Judge Lancaster particu
larly did all within his power to assist
and keep up the spirits of the Libera
tors. On the fifth day after the Creole
arrived at Key West, there remained,
besides the wounded and their attend
ants, but one party of twelve, who
had taken a cottage on the outskirts of
the city, and lived in a very secluded
style. All but these had been sent off
to Tampa, Pensacola, &c, by the
contributions and exertions of the citi
zens. In the party here mentioned,
we recognize our old friends with
whom we started down the Ohio river
some two months before. It is there
fore peculiarly proper that we should
see them home again.
This party, during the reign of con
fusion, had got together with the idea
of taking a small boat and coasting
around to some ports on the Florida
coast, probably Pensacola, which was
several hundred miles distant. After
all things had been provided for this
wild trip, as it would certainly have
been — if not fatal — they were unable
to procure the boat. Thus disap
pointed and provoked they resolved
to settle down and calmly await the
chances. Mr. Patterson, the U. S.
Marshal, was kind enough to give
them the use of a snug little cottage,
into which they immediately moved
their goods, chattels, and provisions,

52

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

and went to house-keeping. Being
gentlemen of address they soon be
came acquainted and popular with
their neighbors, who offered many lit
tle kindnesses, so that their situation
was for the time quite comfortable and
pleasant. At length, after a residence of several
days in the cottage, during which time
they managed to replenish the outward
as well as inward man, a brig arrived
from New York bound for Cedar
Keys, a cluster of little Islands within
four miles of the main land, between
Tampa Bay and St. Marks. Being
informed that this was a favorable
opportunity of getting nearer home,
they took passage on the aforesaid
brig, commanded by Capt. Barrett,
and on the 29th of May the last de
tachment of the Liberating Army
sailed from Key West. Capt. Barrett
was a down East Yankee, and what
was worse, a Christian. He was at
that time a student for the Ministry
in Yale College, and having been a
sailor in early life, occasionally made
voyages during vacation. Mornino-
and evening he would have all on
board assembled, when he would read
the Scriptures, pray, and preach. But
during the brief acquaintance of this
wandering party with Capt. B., the
truth of a remark which the sailors
often made of him, was strongly im
pressed upon their minds, notwith
standing his prayers, full of world-wide
charity and solicitude for the welfare
and salvation of the "rest of man
kind," viz: that "h  11 is full of
such Christians!" He was likewise a

poor excuse for a sailor, knew well
enough how to make sail, but not to
take it in.
Early on the morning of the 4th of
June, the Suwannee arrived at Cedar
Keys in a tremendous squall of wind
and rain. After cruising before the
harbor several hours with signal flying
for a pilot, that important functionary
was at last discovered scudding out in
his little boat. With some difficulty
he got aboard, and presented, in the
person of Capt. Sam. Johnson, a most
remarkable countenance, figure, and
costume. Rude was he in speech,
and little blessed with the captivating
graces of oratorical delivery ; so little
consolation did his apswers to the
numerous interrogatories forthwith
propounded to him by "the party"
furnish to their luxurious dreams of
good coffee, ham, and biscuits, which
they had expected to revel in at Cedar
Keys. Capt. Sam. Johnson was a
man apparently about forty years of
age, and his beard was probably half
that old, if shaggy, length, and thick
ness, be the usual signs of age in that
ornament of the "human face divine."
His long sandy hair was rolled, plaited
and curled round about his head in all
that wild beauty which surpasses the
barber's skill, and bids defiance to the
training of a comb. His eyes, grey and
glaring, peered from between masses
of hair, with a combination of animal
fierceness and intellectual fire. His
voice was a singular mixture of sounds
—loud and harsh, clear and soft, com
manding and superior, as he gave quick
orders in piloting a vessel through the

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

53

narrow and crooked channel from
" Sea Horse" to the pier — " hard lee
—let her luff! luff her! luff her ! "
Capt. Sam's costume was in keeping
with this description of his manners
and appearance. Capt. Barrett gazed
at him in silent meditation, until his
little boat, having broke loose and in
danger of being lost, Sam discharged
a few broadsides of oaths and cursing
which fairly horrified the Puritan
Captain, who immediately retired to
the privacy of his cabin to pray for a
suspension of eternal judgment against
his desecrated deck and sacrilegious
pilot! On the next day after arrival, the
party disembarked at Cedar Key.
Here they found themselves in a worse
situation than at Key West, with pro
visions, that is, hard crackers and raw
pork — for only a few days, and no
means of getting away. They had
been entirely misinformed as to the
facilities of transportation at Cedar
Keys. There was not a single vessel
in port; the only chance of getting
on to St. Marks was in a small schooner
lying high and dry in a bayou, from
which it was questionable whether it
could be launched. Through the in
fluence of Mr. Richards, Deputy Cus
tom-house officer at that place, and a
whole-souled Virginian, an old gentle
man named Oglesby agreed to take the
party to St. Marks in the schooner,
could it be got out. An attempt to do
so was immediately made by some of
them, without success. It was, how
ever, firmly and unanimously resolved
that as to getting the schooner out there

should be "no such word as fail."
Accordingly all were assembled that
evening for a launch. It was neces
sary to push the schooner through mud
almost knee deep more than a mile.
Ten or# twelve of the party, some
wholly and others partially naked,
soon surrounded the vessel ; a heirty
push together was given, and away she
slid in cheering style, and was in a
few minutes moored at the pier. The
spectacle presented by this unique
launch was extremely ludicrous, es
pecially from the characters engaged
in it. Among them were three doc
tors, three Captains, four Lieutenants,
an editor, two law students, and a
grand-son of Davy Crockett.
On the following morning, all was
ready for an early start, anchor weighed
and sails spread, when Sam Johnson
sent an order to detain the schooner
until he came down. What he wan
ted no one could imagine ; some began
to fear a difficulty. In a few momenta
the Pilot made his appearance, in one
hand carrying a jug of whiskey, and a
box of cigars in the other ! These he
presented to the party with a neat and
eloquent address, very suitable to the
occasion, which was responded to by
a celebrateJ stump orator, of Shelby
county, Kentucky. Then, with three
cheers for their friends at Cedar Keys,
the party sailed for St. Marks. Men
of proper feelings will always remember
with pleasure those who befriend them
in a strange land.
Our little party left Cedar Keys with
a fair wind, which promised to bring
them to St. Marks' light before the

54

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

moon went down. Four o'clock in the
afternoon, however, found them floun
dering in the rough waters of Dead
Man's Bay, with contrary winds.
This Bay is one of the most dangerous
for small craft on the Florida coast.
It is very deep, and some fifte'en miles
wide; squally winds blow over it at
all times, and its waters continually
roll in heavy, broken waves. Our
party was fortunate enough to get across
it with no more serious damage than
an unsolicited salt water bath. Nine
o'clock at night saw them in Ocilla
Bay, eagerly on the look-out for the
St. Mark's light. It grew very dark
soon after, and Capt. Oglesby became
rather confused in his reckonings
on the coast, so that it was finally
thought safer to come to anchor and
await the morning light. They were
then within about twenty miles of St.
Marks. After passing a most disagreeable
night on the crowded vessel, they got
under way again in the morning soon
as the dense fog was sufficiently dissi
pated, and by nine o'clock reached
"Jackson's Point," near the mouth of
the St. Mark's River, so called from
being the point at which General Jack
son landed his forces when he attacked
and destroyed Old Fort St. Marks, or
the Spanish bomb-proof, as it is called,
during the last war with England —
when Florida was a Spanish posses
sion. If the place was in the same
condition then that it is now, " old
Hickory's" troops must have had a
hard march through the high grass
which grows on the marshy ground

where they are said to have been dis
embarked. The effects of his red-hot
shot are yet to be seen in the ruins of
the massive walls of the Magazine
which was blown up. It is a very ex
tensive fortification, capable of being
defended against a great force by brave
soldiers and skilful commanders. At
present it lies neglected, under control
of the Custom-house Officer.
In this fort our party, after their ar
rival at St. Marks, took up their quar
ters, to await the sailing of a schooner
for New Orleans. They passed several
days there, being treated by the people
with the greatest kindness. Three of
their number concluded to go through
the country, and on the day after ar
riving at St. Marks took the Railroad
for Tallahassee. During a short so
journ in that beautiful city, they made
the acquaintance of the principal citi
zens, who tendered them every hospi
tality, and offered everything necessary
to enable them to reach home comfor
tably. Ex-Gov. Call tendered an in
vitation to the whole party, at St.
Marks, to visit the capital of Florida,
which they did. Col. Fisher, of the
American Hotel, freely entertained a
great many of the wanderers who pass
ed through Tallahassee on their way
home, and his generous hospitality will
be gratefully remembered by every
Liberator. In fine, the people of
Florida everywhere manifested the
greatest sympathy, and extended the
most liberal aid towards the unfortunate
strangers who passed through their
State.

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

55

CONCLUSION.
In concluding this History, it is not
necessary to "sum up," at any great
length, by way of explanation or eluci
dation. It has been written during the
author's leisure hours, somewhat hasti
ly, and from no other data than recol
lection of the facts and circumstances ;
which, however, were most forcibly
impressed upon the mind, and so vivid
ly retained as to insure correctness, if
not always that order and arrangement
desirable. Still I cannot say, that it
is not best as it is. More like the
Expedition itself, in its incompleteness,
casualties, and disconnected action.
So that every reader of the History
can more easily form a proper and
, practical opinion as to what sort of
an affair the Expedition was; per
haps enable them to account very
well for its failure. Such only was
the author's desire and expectation in
writing it.
But since the return of those who
participated in the Expedition, some
differences have sprung up between
them, which it is but fair should be
set forth, in addition to the plain,
straight-forward narrative. Their ori
gin was in the desire of some devoted
friends of General Lopez to exonerate
him entirely from censure for its failure,
without offering any satisfactory ex
planation of it, to remove the responsi
bility which naturally falls upon the
General's "conduct of the war." It
is certainly no difficult matter to decide
upon whom the responsibility of the
failure rests, or at least, to decide

whether it attaches to General Lopez,
or to those under him.
One thought will strike every one
who looks back and reflects upon the
hazardous career which the Expedition
ran, from the moment it left New Or
leans, which is, that but for unparal
leled good fortune, amounting almost
to a "special interposition of Provi
dence," it never would have returned
in safety as it did. Even those acci
dents which at the time seemed most
fatal, were in fact the very means of
saving it from otherwise certain des
truction. There is about the scheme
and attempt, when impartially, coolly
reflected upon, a seeming wildness, an
infatuation, which almost makes one
blush to have been concerned in it.
We scarcely know how to account for
being thus totally "carried away,"
from sober judgment, calculation, and
faithful reason ; fearing that those con
siderations which can be offered in
extenuation will not be appreciated by
those who have never felt their force,
where alone it could be fully felt, in
the same situations we occupied, and
under the same influences that con-
troled our conduct. What we have all
so effectually learned and seen demon
strated, at the greatest risks and by
most unhappy examples, it seems to
me General Lopez, as the projector
and leader of the Expedition, might and
should have known, before so grand
and momentous a scheme was attemp
ted as it was, only to be exposed to
the mean insults and pitiful sneers that
ever wait on failure, and hound-like
track the course of defeat.

56

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

That General Lopez is a brave sol
dier, and sincere patriot, no one who
knows aught of his character will deny ;
still his best friend, his greatest admirer,
need not have felt called upon to defend
his reputation, by casting ungenerous
imputations, undeserved censure, upon
men whose services and sacrifices in his
cause challenge rather gratitude and re
spect. Never did soldiers repose more
perfect confidence in their General,
until under his leadership they found
themselves in a condition which left
but one course — a plain one to the
most ordinary instincts of reason and
self-preservation, as opposed to utter
recklessness, complete desperation. It
is but just, too, to say, that guiding in
telligence and independent resolution
were possessed in a more eminent de
gree by the men generally who com
posed the Liberating Army of Cuba,
than by an equal number in any army
ever raised, even in this land of "citi
zen-soldiers." The following article from the New
Orleans Delta, of May 17th, 1850,
sets forth, in a very truthful light, the
hopes and expectations of the Expedi
tionists, and will give an insight into
the plans which General Lopez de
signed to pursue, on leaving New Or
leans. It was written by Mr. Sigur,
of that paper, who was a promoter of
the enterprize, and doubtless well ac
quainted with the whole plan as laid
out at the start : —
" A little more than a week ago, the
good steamer Creole sailed from this
port with the last detachment of the
gallant band which has gone to com

mence the noble work of Cuba's re
generation. That steamer carried the
brave Lopez, a veteran soldier of forty
years' experience, devoted, soul and
body, to the cause in which he has
embarked. We saw him when he left,
and as his bright eye flashed with en
thusiasm, and his proud lip curled with
defiance and resolution, were confirmed
in our assurance that the cause was
committed to steady, faithful, and de
voted hands. This feeling experienced
no abatement, when we viewed the
calm, determined, sedate faces which
surrounded him — the faces of the very
choicest of South- Western chivalry,
of young Americans, heroes by nature,
soldiers by experience, and patriots by
birth and education. A nobler and
more chivalric body of soldiers never
left any shore than the small but choice
band which, we trust, ere this, has
safely landed on the coast of Cuba.
They are mostly young men of dis
tinguished connection, tried gallan
try, and of some military experience.
Three-fourths of them have served
with distinction in Mexico. They
have embarked in this enterprize of
their own free will, without, solicita
tion or persuasion. They go with
desperate determination to do or die.
They are not mere adventurers. They
go not, as the hired organ of the
Spanish despot in this city falsely as
serts, as pirates and robbers, to reft a
people of their liberties, or a govern
ment of its lawful possessions, but they
go as proud admirers and imitators
of the self-devoted patriotism of La
fayette, De Kalb, Pulaski, and the

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

57

other foreign allies of their fathers in
the struggle of 1776. They go to
achieve proud names for themselves in
history, lofty niches in the temple of
renown. For this, they take all the
risks of defeat, disaster, annihilation.
They laugh at the barbarian threats of
the Spanish despots.
" Ere this, if the storms or other
causes have not prevented, General
Lopez has effected his landing at a
point on the Island, where he has hosts
of friends who have long been urging
him to come to them, if he brought
but twenty men. His expectation was
to make such landing on Monday last.
We await with intense interest to hear
of the result. All will depend upon
the verity of the promises made by the
Creoles of the Island. If they are
true — and with the proofs before us,
we can admit no doubts into our minds
— if they give practical proofs of the
sincerity of their declarations, there
cannot be the slightest doubt of the
event. Thousands of the gallant youth
of our country will flock to their stan
dard, and the contest will assume that
elevated character which will attach
to the side of the regenerators the
hopes, sympathies, and cordial co
operation of all freemen and patriots."
¦ From this it appears that General
Lopez expected to effect a landing on
the Island of Cuba "at a point where
he had hosts of friends." Did he land
at such a place? Those friends were
to give "practical proofs," &c. Did
the Creoles at Cardenas do so? No!
General Lopez did not make such a
landing as was first intended ; nor did

he meet with such a reception as was
expected. His motives and reasons
for changing the original plan, on ar
riving at Contoy, may have been good
and sufficient, or not. It seems that he
afterwards discovered that the first plan
would have been best, when it was be
yond his power to retrieve the fatal
error of landing at Cardenas, instead
of going to Mantua in the first place.
Then again, a different course might
have led to a more fatal result, so to
tally inadequate were the numbers and
means to successful operations in any
field. Or, in homely phrase, we might
have "gone farther and fared worse."
The real error, the grand miscalcula
tion, therefore, lies farther back than
either the council of war at Contoy,
or the plan of attack adopted at New
Orleans. But one thing is contended for
against the assertions of a few persons
who have thrown out inferences to the
contrary, which is, that the Expedition
did not fail, because the army lacked
either resolution, courage, or subordi
nation. When they were at Contoy,
the men were perfectly willing to fol
low Lopez wherever, in his wisdom
and knowlege, he might wish to go.
They did so. At Cardenas, they were
still willing to march toward Matanzas,
had he seen fit to lead on. He did
not do so; and they next find them
selves, after useless sufferings and loss,
on the high sea, with no choice as to
what port they should sail for, had
they all been even as desperate and
reckless as General Lopez himself then

was.

58

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

It is not worth while to go more
fully into a discussion of the points at
issue. The following letter, addressed
by Major Hardy to the Kentucky
Yeoman, in connection with a "state
ment" published in the Tallahassee
Sentinel, soon after the Liberators
reached Florida, will sufficiently ex
plain them, and doubtless enable every
intelligent and impartial reader, on re
viewing this "round, unvanished tale,"
to do justice to General Lopez, to the
" Liberating Army," and to the cause
of Cuban Independence — a revolution
which for one I feel a fervent hope and
confidence will yet be accomplished at
no distant day. And when the rich
"Gem" is torn from the dilapidated
crown of Old Spain, it will soon after
be added to the constellation of free
dom, being, as Thomas Jefferson openly
avowed, "the most interesting addition
which could ever be made to our sys
tem of States, which would fill up the
measure of our political well-being."
LETTER OF MAJOR HARDY.
Monticello, Ga., June 28, 1850.
To the Editor of the Kentucky Yeoman :
Dear Sir: I have just read in the
" Commonwealth," of the 18th instant,
a "statement" from the "Mobile Re
gister," perporting to be " of the officers
of the late Expedition under General
Lopez." From the tenor of this "state
ment," it seems that whoever may have
written it, was more anxious to relieve
General Lopez from any censure that
our unfortunate failure might entail,
than to adhere to truth and do simple

justice to those gallant Americans who
so generously rallied themselves around
his flag of liberty, to aid him in giving
freedom to his oppressed countrymen
of Cuba ; and to do for Cuba, what
Lafayette and a host of foreigners did
for our own country during her struggle
for independence, and for which their
names are immortal in American his
tory, and hallowed in the hearts of
millions of freemen, still grateful for
the great and sacred boon bequeathed
them by the valor and blood of foreign
patriots. My object is to show that this state
ment in the "Register" not only fails
to do justice to the American soldiers,
but commits a great injustice upon
them, in saying that "they refused to
land again upon the Island," — imply
ing that they were deterred by the warm
and hostile reception with which they
were met by the Spanish soldiers at
Cardenas — without giving the reasons
why they declined to attempt another
landing at Mantua — and in not stating
that most all of the men and officers
were aware that we had neither fuel
or water sufficient aboard the Creole
to last us to Mantua, nor even to Key
West, as proved before we landed
there ; and further, in failing to state
that we were forced to go to Key
West, and finally abandon the enter
prize, by disastrous and untoward cir
cumstances, with no less reluctance
than General Lopez himself. And
considering as I do, that the statement
alluded to, tends to create the impres
sion, that the American soldiers, en
gaged in the Cuban affair, were want-

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

59

ing in that courage and determination
which had hitherto characterized them
and their countrymen generally on for
mer glorious occasions, I feel it to be
my duty, as well as an act of justice
to my brave companions, to make the
remarks I have relative to the Mobile
statement. But, as I am particularly
authorized to speak only in behalf of
my own regiment, I will crave of you
the kindness to publish in your paper
the enclosed "statement of the Ken
tucky Regiment," which was published
upon my arrival at Tallahassee, Flori
da, and which I believe contains the
facts relative to the affair.
" I, too, and I believe my companions
generally, are "desirous of rendering
General Lopez the amplest justice ; "
but I do not consider that to do justice
to General Lopez demands a surpres-
sion of facts, or a hinted stigma upon
myself and countrymen. Gen. Lopez
was as much forced, by the unfortunate
circumstances and difficulties that sur
rounded us, as we were ourselves, but
he was perhaps more reckless under
circumstances so desperate and per
plexing than we felt authorized in
being. We could not for a moment
think that we would be justified in
sacrificing the lives of those under our
command in a hopeless effort to land
again upon the Island. To go to Key
West was our only reasonable alter
native; and now, with a proper con
sideration of the facts and circumstan
ces, we are willing to abide the opinion
of our friends and countrymen, both
as to the cause, and our conduct.
"I can afford General Lopez no more

"ample justice" than to state, that I,
and the mass of those lately under his
command — believe him to be a good
man, a brave soldier, and a true patriot !
Respectfully and truly yours,
W. HARDY.
To the Editor of the Yeoman,
Frankfort, Ky.
STATEMENT OF THE KENTUCKY REGI
MENT.
Editor Tallahassee Sentinel:
Sir — On leaving Key West some
eight days ago, to return home, I was
authorized by Col. O'Hara, Lt. Col.
Pickett, and other officers of the Ken
tucky regiment engaged in the late
Cuban Expedition, to correct, on their
behalf, any misrepresentations that
might appear relative to our embarking
in the affair ; and to give the unvarn
ished facts touching the conduct of
the American soldiers engaged in it.
Through your kind indulgence, I has
ten to do so, as I have already noticed
in different accounts many great mis
takes, and some gross misrepresenta
tions. The latter particularly in the
Savannah Georgian, the editor of
which says he obtained his informa
tion in an interview with Gen. Lopez.
I will first briefly state the reasons
why we engaged in the Expedition,
and why we abandoned it after so sig
nal a victory at Cardenas.
We wish our motives and conduct
to be fully understood, that our country
men may appreciate the one and justify
the other; oar deeds are before them,
and, with a proper commentary, we
are willing to submit to the decision

60

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

of those from whom we inherited the
spirit which impelled us in the adven
ture that now brings us before them.
We feel sure that intelligent, chival
rous, and patriotic Americans will not
cen=ure us for what we have done, nor
condemed the high motives and bright
hopes that urged ns on in this desperate
undertaking. Nor will fhey fail to
justify our return to "freedom's soil,''
after seeing the indifference and abject
timidity of the people of Cuba, which
seems to have restrained them from
rallying around their chosen leader,
and his little band, who had come
thousands of miles to unfurl the ban
ner of Independence.
If more is needed, I will also state
the insurmountable difficulties which
surrounded us on every side. We ask
not that the mantle of charity may be
thrown over our acts, for we are proud
of the impulses that led us from our
homes and friends to a foreio-n land,
to aid an iron-ruled people, who, we
were told, and believed, sighed for aid
to sunder the chains that Spanish
tyranny had ri vetted on them. Our
appeal is to those who hive been taught
to value liberty dearer than life, to
those who would rejoice to see free
dom — the off-spring of our own beloved
country— given to the oppressed of
every land.
It is well known that Gen. Narciso
Lopez has been for nearly two years
engaged in organizing an expedition
to aid the Creoles of Cuba, whom he
stated were ripe for revolt and deter
mined to be free ; and that all they re
quired was to have him at their head.

His landing on the Island was to be
the signal for a general rising of the
people. He wanted but a small force
to accompany him from the United
States, as a nucleus around which the
people could readily rally. He ex
hibited correspondence with some of
the leading citizens of Cuba, urging
him to come to their assistance as soon
as possible — alone, if needs be. We
were to land at a point on the Island
where a large number of the people
were already organized and armed, in
readiness to receive us, and join in
a glorious struggle for their liberty.
Much evidence was adduced going to
show that the Cubans were competent
to achieve their independence, that
they only wanted the banner to be
raised and the first blow to be struck.
He was represented to be the Wash
ington of Cuba, and we would appear
as the little band of Lafayettes, De
Kalbs, and Kosciuskos, fightino- with
him, that our own proud eagle mio-ht
ultimately spread her free pinions over
the "coral-bound Queen of the Antil
les ! ! "
Those who enlisted us in the enter
prize — men of the highest character
and station — were perfectly convinced,
by the representations of Gen. Lopez
and others, that a speedy revolution in
the Government of Cuba was certain.
And being animated by that noble am
bition which warms the hearts of the
truly brave and generous, they were
willing to offer themselves on tin altar
of freedom, and were anxious that their
friends might have an opportunity to
wreath their blows with victorious

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

61

laurels in so noble a cause. Many
distinguished men in our country en
couraged those engaged in it, vouching
for the statements of Gen. Lopez, and
thus leaving in our minds no cause for
doubt. That we did not intend a mer
cenary invasion of Cuba, our numbers
will show ; nor injury to the property
of the people, as our conduct at Car
denas, attested by the Governor whom
we took prisoner, and afterwards re
leased, fully establishes.
With these facts before our country
men, we leave them to censure or ad
mire the spirit that prompted us to make
the sacrifices we did, to endure the
privations we have, and brave the dan
gers that were sure to surround us even
in the realization of our most sanguine
hopes. I will now turn to the active opera
tions of the "Army of Liberation."
The Kentucky regiment, 245 in num
ber, left New Orleans on the 25th of
April, on the bark Georgianna, to ren
dezvous on the Island of Mugeres, or
Women's Island, near the coast of Yu
catan, and there await the arrival of
Gen. Lopez with the other regiments.
The Georgianna anchored off Contoy
Island, twenty miles North of Mu
geres, in consequence of adverse winds.
On the 13th, the steamer Creole ar
rived at Contoy with Gen. Lopez and
the Mississippi and Louisana regi
ments, numbering 175 men each. After
a consultation, the steamer proceeded
to Mugeres for a supply of water. On
the 15th she returned, when the Ken
tucky regiment was taken on board the
Creole, and on the morning of the 16th,

we were under way, with light hearts
and bright hopes, for the coast of
Cuba. It was generally understood up to
this time, that we would land on 'the
south-western coast of the Island, at a
point where, to use the very words of
Gen. Gonzales, "they had 4,000 troops
in commission." But Gen. Lopez
thought proper to change the design
of landing at the point alluded to, and
determined to proceed to Cardenas,
on the north-east coast. Accordingly,
the army arrived at that place about
three o'clock on the morning of Sun
day, the 19th ult. Shortly previous
to landing, Gen. Lopez called a coun
cil and stated to the field officers his
plan of operations. We were not to
fio-ht at Cardenas, as it was expected
that the garrison there would surrender
immediately they were called upon by
Gen. Lopez, who would surround them
with two regiments. The other regi
ment would march quickly through the
city to the Railroad depot, seize the
cars, and cut off communication with
Matanzas and Havana, the first thirty
and the last ninety miles from Car
denas. By daylight our army was to
take the cars, proceed to Matanzas, a
city of 18 or 20,000 inhabitants, and
there make the first demonstration.
A detachment of fifty men from the
Kentucky regiment, under Lt. Col.
Pickett, did take possession of the
Railroad. As the remaining force was
moving on, by column of companies,
they were received with volleys from
the garrison and Governor's palace,
and a general engagement soon ensued.

62

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

Brisk firing continued for nearly three
hours, through the windows of the
garrison and Governor's house, and
from the tops of houses. The doors
of the garrison were finally battered
down, when thirty-odd of the Spanish
soidiers came out, threw off their uni
forms and shouted "viva Lopez!"
A destructive fire being still kept up
from the Governor's palace, General
Lopez at length set fire to it, and the
house was soon reduced to ashes. The
Governor then surrendered the city,
and the fighting ceased.
During the day, preparations were
making for our march on Matanzas;
but towards evening, Gen. Lopez re
ceived intelligence that a large force
was already coming against us from
Matanzas and Havana. Orders were
then given to re-embark. Several com
panies were sent down to the steamer,
and were engaged in re-shipping the
baggage and provisions, which had
been placed on the cars. About sun
down, the troops who remained up
in the city, numbering probably 200
effective men, were attacked by a body
of infantry and some lancers, their
number being, from the general ac
count, 200 of the former, and nearly
100 of the latter. The infantry were
quickly repulsed, and scattered off.
The lancers made some gallant, but
very rash charges, as our men were
so posted along the streets, that scarce
ly a man or horse escaped — nor could
many have escaped, had there been
twice the number of lancers, for our
men " shot to kill." Our loss, as near
as can be ascertained in the absence

of an official report, was, in all, from
ten to fifteen killed, and from fifteen
to twenty wounded.
In going out of the bay of Carden
as, after night, the Creole got fast
aground about five miles from the city,
where she remained until daylight
next morning. All the ammunition
but eight boxes, some arms, and a
large quantity of provisions were
thrown overboard, and the steamer
was finally got off by putting a great
number of the men on a small Island,
who were taken aboard again when
she floated.
As soon as we got out of the bay,
the officers and men began to discuss
affairs among themselves. General
Lopez was asked where he proposed
to go ? He stated to Mantua. It
was then submitted by the officers of
companies to their men whether they
would return to Cuba, and a great
many objected to do so, having lost
all confidence in Lopez, .his promises,
and the disposition or ability of the
Cubans to revolutionize the Island.
When this was made known to Lopez,
he resigned his comand, and asked it
as a favor of the army that they would
land him on the Island, with his thirty
Spanish soldiers, and as many others
as were willing to go with him. The
question then arose, can this be done?
The Captain of the steamer was call
ed, and stated that there was not fuel
enough to run to the Proposed place.
The Quarter-ma-' er stated that we
were already nearly out of water, as
very little had been got aboard at Car
denas. Even the few officers — my-

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

63

self among the number — who had be
fore signified their willingness to ac
company the General, now declined
the attempt. The steamer, therefore,
headed for Key West- We lay at an
chor some forty miles from the city
until a pilot was procured next morn
ing. The Spanish steamer was at
Key West early in the morning. As
she was coming out, she discovered
the Creole, then twenty-six or thirty
miles from Key West. The Pizarro
immediately tacked about, and a race
commenced which was intensely ex
citing, and decidedly critical, so far
as we were concerned. Within six
or eight miles of Key West our coal
was exhausted, and the Captain then
resorted to burning pork and rosin.
According to the statement of the fire
man on the Creole there were but two
barrels of rosin left, when we reached
Key West, which we did twenty or
thirty minutes ahead of the Spaniard.
As the Creole struck the pier, after
drawing up her anchor at quarantine,

the cannon of the Pizarro passed
within a hundred yards of her. The
Spaniard was greatly excited, but he
did not fire. Above the unfortunate
adventurers the American flag again
protectingly floated !
Respectfully and truly yours,
WILLIAM HARDY,
Major Kentucky Regiment.
Talllahasse, June 7, 1850.

The undersigned members of the
Kentucky Regiment, concur in the ac
count given by Major Hardy, as a
fair and correct statement of the facts
and occurrences connected with the
Expedition. Dr. S. S. Scott, Surgeon.
H. H. Robinson, Capt. Co D.
F. C. Wilson, " " H.
R. Hardy, 1st Lieut. " D.
Jf McDerman, 2d Lt. " F.
L. Crisler,
W. H. Barton,
C. H. Rawlings.
St. Marks, June 5, 1850.

OFFICIAL REPORTS.

It is but proper to insert in this,
History the official reports of those
in command, which were made by
them on their arrival at New Orleans
from Key West; but I must do so
with some reservation as to acknow
ledging them altogether authoritative
and correct.
In the first report, that of Col.
O'Hara, there is nothing objection
able. He has said nothing positively
wrong; but might, and, as many of
his companions think, should have
said much more that would have been
right. report op col. o'hara, kentucky
regiment.
New Orleans, June 26, 1850.
Sir — I have the honor to submit
the following report of the operations
of the regiment under my command
in the late effort to aid the people of
Cuba in their meditated struggle for
independence :
I embarked from this city on the
night of the 25th of April in the
ship Georgianna, with some 250
friends, who had accompanied me
from Kentucky, and sailed for the
Island of Mugeres, on the coast of
Yucatan, where I was directed by

Gen. Lopez to organize my party
into the skeleton of a military regi
ment, arm them, and employ the in
terval in drilling on shore until his ar
rival there with similar parties, who
were to rendezvous at that point, and
to be formed into like military organi
zation — the whole to constitute an ex
pedition destined to proceed to Cuba
and unite with the Creoles of the
Island in a revolt against the Spanish
Government, then, from all accounts,
imminently impending. Owing to
the unfavorable currents and bad sail
ing quality of our vessel we were ten
days in making the Island of Contoy,
which lies in front of Cape Captoche,
and twenty miles short of the Island
of Mugeres. Here the adverse winds
and currents, and the complete igno
rance of our navigator respecting the
coast, preventing us from proceeding
further, I ordered the vessel to be an
chored inside of Contoy, and disem
barked my men on that island, for
the purpose, while waiting, for a
change of the wind to proceed to Mu
geres, of refreshing and exercising my
men on shore, purifying the vessel,
and reconnoitering the neighboring
islands with a view to ascertain with

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

65

certainty the locality of our place of
destination. I here addressed myself
to the partial organization of my regi
ment, forming six companies and ap
pointing the officers; and, leaving it
under command of Major Hawkins,
I set out in a boat to explore an island
about twelve miles off, which was
supposed to be Mugeres. I learned
from some Indians whom I found on
this island, which they called Ancon,
that Mugeres lay some distance fur
ther. I returned to Contoy, and find
ing that my men were already begin
ning to be made sick by the water
there, (obtained by sinking barrels in
the sand,) I resolved to make an effort
to reach Mugeres, though with little
hopes of success, no change having
as yet occurred in the course of the
v\ ind. During my absence on the re-
connoisance above mentioned, three
fishing sloops had sailed in and an
chored near the Georgiana. Learning
upon, my return that they belonged to
Havana, I boarded them with a view
to discover if their people possibly
had any suspicion- of our real design,
and if, in that event, they might
feel an interest in hastening to Ha
vana to report us to the , Govern
ment there. The men on them seemed
to be simple-minded, unsuspecting
fishermen. They had just come out
from Havana on their fishing voyage,
which usually detained them from
ten to sixteen days. I did not feel
sufficient apprehension from them to
induce me to detain them forcibly. —
I employed a pilot from one of them,
to navigate our vessel to Mugeres,
5

and my men being re-embarked, the
Georgiana again weighed anchor for
Mugeres ; but, after ineffectually buf
feting the stubborn trade-winds and
current outside of Contoy for four
days, we were again compelled to re
turn to our former anchorage. Our
supply of water was now alarmingly
diminished; and upon the alternative
of despatching a party under com
mand of Lieut. Sayre, with the Cu
ban pilot, in a small boat, to Mugeres,
for the purpose of contracting with
the fishermen there for a supply of
water, and to await the arrival of
Gen. Lopez with the intelligence of
our situation, if perchance he should
not see us in passing.
On the morning of the 13th May,
the steamer Creole arrived at our an
chorage, having on board Gen. Lo
pez and staff, Lieut. Col. Pickett of
my regiment, who had remained at
New Orleans, the Louisiana Regi
ment and Mississippi Battalion, and
after communicating with us, procee
ded to Mugeres to take in water. On
the 15th, the Creole returned from
Mugeres, and I immediately procee
ded to transfer my regiment, baggage,
arms, &c, on board of her; which
being completed by 12 o'clock at
night, the steamer started on her way
to Cuba. Some ten or twelve men
(not Kentuckians) who had come in
the vessel with my party, under the
belief that we would rendezvous at
Chagres, and whose intention was to
desert us there, and thus pilfer a free
passage so far on the way to Califor
nia, I was glad to get rid of by leav-

66

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

ing them on the Georgiana to be ta
ken back to New Orleans.
On the next day, the boxes of mus
kets which had been taken out as car
go in the Georgiana, intended for the
arming of my men without the juris
diction of the United States, were
opened and the guns issued to the
companies. On the 17th, Gen. Lo
pez assembling all the field officers,
announced his plan of operations, the
outline of which was to land at Car
denas by night, surprise the garrison,
seize the railroad depot, and cut off
all communication from the town; af
ter which the whole force was to be
placed in the cars, and fall in a few
hours on the city of Matanzas, taking
that place also by surprise. He gave
his orders, disposing our forces for
the accomplishment of these objects.
I was ordered, the moment we reach
ed the pier in the harbor of Cardenas,
to land first with my regiment as
quickly as possible, to detach a force
of sixty men under the direction of
Lieut. Col. Pickett to seize the rail
road depot, and with the remainder of
my command to move rapidly through
the town and dispose them in its rear,
in such a manner as to cut off all
communication from the place. The
town being flanked on either side by
impassable swamps, as it was repre
sented, thus invested on the rear, and
the railroad in our possession, it
would remain for the General, with.
the rest of his force, to operate upon
the troops in the town. As soon as
the steamer neared the pier, on the
morning of the 19th about 3 o'clock,

which was not without some delay, I
landed my men as rapidly as possible,
and formed them on the nearest prac
ticable ground. Lieut. Col. Pickett
moved off with his detatchment di
rectly for the depot, and I held my
command waiting for one of Gen. Lo
pez's Aids, who, he had told me,
would guide me through the town to
the point I was to occupy. In a few
moments, Gen. Lopez came up and
ordered me to march at once into the
town and capture the barracks and the
garrison. I presumed, which was the fact,
that our delay in landing had caused
the alarm to be given to the town, and
his consequent inability to surprise
the place, had caused the General
to change his plan with regard to my
command. A mulatto who was found
in the street was given me as a guide
to enable me to find the barracks of
the troops, and forming my command
into column of companies, I marched
immediately to execute the order of the
General. My guide, either from
fright or stupidity, proved unequal to
his task, and, after being evidently
carried some distance out of my way,
I countermarched my command to the
mouth of a street which seemed to
lead towards the centre of the town,
near which I was met by General Lo
pez, who gave me as a better guide a
citizen whom he had found in the
streets and impressed for the purpose.
I wheeled into the street just mention
ed and marched rapidly up it with my
guide, who, stupified with fear, could
give me but a confused idea of the >

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

67

position of the barracks and whom I
let go upon hearing the first challenge
of a sentinel. The sentinels now chal
lenged lustily from a building which
proved to be occupied jointly as a pri
son and a barrack for a part of the
garrison, and I marched on to charge
it. In a few minutes after the first
sentinel had fired, a considerable fire
was opened upon the head of my
column from this building, and kept
up as we continued to advance upon it.
From this fire I received a wound
which disabled me from further duty,
and the command of my regiment de
volved upon Major Hawkins, than
whom, for every quality of an excel
lent officer, it could not have found a
better commander. Up to this period
my whole command, officers and men,
had displayed an intrepid and eager
valor which I never saw surpassed by
any storming party of picked veterans,
and which tended to deepen my regret
at being so early deprived of the plea
sure of leading them.
Very respectfully,
Theodore O'Hara,
Col. Ky. Reg't.
Adj't Gen. Gonzales, late Army of
Liberation.

The Report of Lieut. Col. Pickett
contains a number of statements to
which many "company officers," who
were quite as capable and had better
opportunities of judging, will not sub

scribe. It will be seen that he ap
pears a little anxious to shirk the re
turn of the Expedition upon the " com
pany officers, and of course the rank
and file." It is unquestionably true
that they did refuse to make the at
tempt to get to Mantua, and quite as
unquestionable that they were justified
in doing so. And they were finally
sustained in that refusal even by some
of those field officers who at first
wished to follow Lopez's desperate
course. None of the officers were
more energetic, at one time, in endea
voring to induce the men to do as Gen.
Lopez proposed, than Maj. Hardy,
Capt. Allen, and Adjutant Titus ; all
of whom, after investigating and
weighing the matter more carefully
and coolly, sustained the men in their
course. They also acted in accordance
with the opinion of Col. O'Hara, who
declared the General's proposition to
be a certain thing even worse than
madness. What is more, it cannot be
denied that the men generally had lost
confidence in the promises and abili
ties of their leaders, whose conduct
throughout was anything but calcu
lated to inspire them with either con
fidence or devotion. Hence the " com
pany officers, and of course the rank
and file," acted without much regard
for the "votes" of their field officers.
Of the Kentucky Battalion, I will say
that the men of almost every company
in it had more confidence in, and were
more devoted to their Captains and
Lieutenants, and would in any case,
have followed their lead against all
the field officers together.

68

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

REPORT OF LIEUT. COL. PICKETT,
KY. REG'T.
New Orleans, June 26, 1850.
Sir — As it has just been deter
mined to publish an official account of
the operations of the late Liberating
Army of Cuba, I hasten to submit the
following report of my participation in
the late affair at Cardenas, together
with a brief narrative of our voyage
from that place to Key West.
Having volunteered for the special
service of seizing the locomotive de
pot of the town of Cardenas, to the
end that communication with Matan
zas should not be had by the enemy, I
mustered my detachment, consisting
of sixty men and officers, upon the af
ter part of the steamer, at the proper
time. Immediately upon effecting a
landing I proceeded rapidly into the
town, seizing the only persons I met, (a
solitary armed patrol and an old fisher
man), and pressing them as guides.
The point to which I was directed
was speedily reached. It was, how
ever, more remote than I had been led
to expect, being nearly one and a half
miles from the steamer, and three-
quarters of a mile from the outskirts
of the town. The object was accom
plished without resistance. The de
pot was held until late in the after
noon, when I received an order
through an aide-de-camp to march my
detachment back to the town. Ar
riving at the foot of the main street,
I met the commander-in-chief. Halt
ing the detachment, I inquired of him
if I should take command of the regi
ment, (the Col. having been wounded

in the morning and the Major being in
command). He replied that it was
not necessary, as the whole force was
about to be re-embarked, and ordered
me to keep my then position until fur
ther orders. Presently, at the urgent
solicitation of a surgeon of one of the
other commands, I stepped hastily
with him up to the Plaza, to assist him
as interpreter in the purchase of some
necessaries for the sick and wounded.
Returning immediately I had scarcely
reached my post, when I heard the
firing of volleys of musketry in the
Plaza, which I had just left — that po
sition being occupied by Major Haw
kins, with about ninety of the Ken
tucky Regiment. Not having been
advised of an apprehended attack, I did
not for some minutes conceive that it
could be an engagement — attributing
the firing to a prudent desire of em
barking with empty pieces. The dis
charges continuing, however, in quick
succession, I started hastily, with one
officer, in that direction, but had not
proceeded many paces when I per
ceived that Major Hawkins' command
was receiving a charge of cavalry. I
hastened back to my position, and, or
dering Lieut. Sayre, with the detatch
ment of Capt. Johnson's company
(fifteen men) to accompany me, hur
ried towards the scene of combat,
reaching Major Hawkins— who had
retired in good order down the square,
after having repulsed the cavalry— just
as he had formed his command to re
ceive a second charge, which we in
effect received jointly at the moment
of my arrival. The enemy, whom I

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

69

now discovered to be lancers, were
from thirty to forty in number, some
of whom we killed before they had
quite reached us, and our ranks open
ing and falling back upon the side
walks, fired into the remainder with
great effect, as they dashed by at head
long speed, a number escaping through
to meet their fate, however, with, I
believe, but one exception, in attempt
ing to pass the position occupied by
the balance of my command, under
Capt. Allen, whicn had fallen back a
few paces behind the corner below.
The engagement was thus ended. I
now assumed command of the regi
ment, and in a few minutes an order
reached me from the commander-in-
chief to retire towards the steamer.
This was performed in an orderly man
ner by column of companies — forming
into line twice and facing about, un
der the immediate command of the
general-in-chief, and finally halting the
colume when some 150 yards from the
pier, and bringing it to an about-face.
I here barricaded the street with a
double row of empty sugar hogs
heads, and posted Capt. Johnson's
company, in two equal detatchments,
in ambuscade — one portion in front
and the other to the right and front.
We remained quietly in this position
for rather more than an hour. No
further demonstration being made by
the enemy, we were fina.lly ordered on
board the steamer, which immediately
got under way. Being sent for by
yourself to where you were lying
wounded, as soon as I had embarked
you placed me in command, I being

the senior field officer unwounded. I
continued to discharge the duties of
field officer of the day until our arri
val at Key West — a period of thirty-
six hours.
We have to regret the loss of three
officers and five privates, killed in the
affair of the evening, tog-ether with
nineteen wounded, several of whom
were officers. The conduct of both
officers and men was, as far as my ob
servation went, beyond all praise. I
had occasion particularly to observe
the self-possession and steady courage
of Capt. Jno. Allen. Also, of
Lieuts. Greenlee, Sayre, Horton and
Knott. Others have been called to
my notice, but my participation in
the action was so limited that I had
not an opportunity of witnessing their
conduct in person.
The circumstances attending the
steamer's getting around in running
out of the harbor of Cardenas and the
almost superhuman exertions of Capt.
Lewis and his first officer, Mr. Fays-
soux, in getting her off, have already
I been correctly detailed in the public
press. The council held the next
morning has already been commented
upon likewise. Four field officers out
of the six then present voted to return
to the island, but the greater part of
the company officers, and consequetly
nearly all the rank and file, would not
assent. It was impossible to use co
ercion under such ' circumstances.
They were feeling the pangs of thirst ;
they knew that a large quantity of the
arms and ammunition had been thrown
overboard in the harbor of Cardenas,

70

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

and that if there was coal enough on
board (which they doubted) to run
the steamer to Mantua — the point
proposed — there was certainly not a suf
ficiency to take her back to some point
in the United States, should we be
compelled to evacuate that place. In
a word, the whole command — as is
notoriously ever the case with volun
teer forces making a retrograde move
ment — was completely demoralized.
The chase given by the Spanish
steamer Pizarro in the waters of the
United States has already been cor
rectly detailed. We reached the har
bor of Key West some six miles in
advance of that ship. After some
minutes delay at the quarantine
ground our steamer was moored to
the pier. The wounded were carried
immediately on shore and the whole
command had left in less than ten
minutes. The United States authori
ties seized the vessel, arms, &c, &c,
and my authority ceased from that
moment. I have the honor to be, &c. &c.
Jno. T. Pickett,
Late Lieut. Col. Ky. Reg't.
Adj't. Gen. Gonzales,
Late Liberating Army of Cuba.
List of Killed and Wounded.- —
The following compose the list of
killed and wounded of this regiment:
Killed — Capt. John A. Logan,
of Selbyville, Ky.; 1st. Lieut , James
J. Garnett, of Bowling Green, Ky.;
Rev. John McCann, of Paris, Ky.;
Sergeant Henry Cruse, Company D.,
and ten privates.
Wounded — Col. T. O'Hara, Major

T. T. Hawkins, Lieuts. Sayre and
Harnly, Color Sergeant Rob't.
Wheeling, Company D., and twenty-
one privates.

Lt. Col. Bell's Report is confined
to a proper, correct, and sensible ac
count of what took place.
REPORT OF LIEUT. COL. BELL, OF THE
LA. REGIMENT.
New Orleans, June 26, 1850.
Sir — I took command of the Louisi
ana Battalion when Col. Wheat was
wounded, which happened a few mo
ments after he had brought his com
mand under the fire of the enemy in
the Plaza, and while gallantly leading
it into action. I received an order
to make an attack on the Governor's
palace. I immediately charged upon
the place. Officers and privates obey
ed my command with alacrity and
bravery. We succeeded in breakino-
open the barricaded doors of the lower
part of the building fronting on the
main street, but instantly discovered
that no entrance above could be effec
ted from that direction. This being
communicated to Gen. Lopez, we re
ceived orders to retire. After the lapse
of some time, an order was received
to return to the Plaza, with instruc
tions not to fire on the building while
marching to the Plaza. A second
time we were met by discharge of
musketry. I took the responsibility
of returning the fire and charged the
building. It was then fired at the en
trance previously effected by the force

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

71

under my command. I then sur
rounded the square containing the
Governor's palace, returning the fire
that constantly proceeded from it, un
til a flag of truce was exhibited, and
the Governor and his troops surren
dered. I cannot omit to state that
Capt. Robinson's company of the Ken
tucky Regiment reported to me, and
behaved with great gallantry; also
Capt. Mizell's company from Missis
sippi (independent.) The surrender
occurred about eight o'clock in the
morning. The prisoners taken were
confined in the barracks, under charge
of Capt. Steed, of the Louisiana Re
giment. The town remained quiet
during the day. Much apparent kind
ness wras manifested on the part of the
citizens towards the troops, who, with
the exception of those detailed on
duty, were passing from place to place
through the town in pursuit of rest
and refreshment.
About four o'clock in the evening
Gen. Lopez informed Major Hawkins,
of the Kentucky Regiment, and my
self, that he had determined to change
his original plan — that as he had fail
ed in surprising the town of Cardenas,
as he had anticipated, and the infor
mation of our landing being carried
to Matanzas, there would be sent by
the railway train, (which would pro
bably reach us about one o'clock that
night,) a much larger force than he
felt justified in our present condition
in resisting. He had, therefore, de
termined (still holding out the idea
that we were to embark pn the rail
way) to embark the troops on the

Creole, and endeavor to make a land
ing at a point on the Island, where
he would find a force organized and
ready to support him.
I immediately ordered a portion of
my Regiment to proceed to the boat,
in charge of the prisoners; the re
maining portion of the Regiment being
at the boat engaged in taking on board
provisions, coal, and water. While
nearing the boat a severe firing was
heard in the neighborhood of the
Plaza. I immediately ordered Capt.
Steed on board the boat with the
prisoners, and proceeded up the street.
Gen. Lopez ordered me to form my
command at the foot of the street, as
he anticipated an attack from a cross
street. I succeeded in arranging my
men just in time to dispatch some
dozen lancers who were making a
descent from a side street.
In the morning encounter some
twenty of my command were killed
and wounded, none in the evening.
At no time did the force under my
command exceed one hundred and fifty
men. I cannot omit to mention among
those of my command who particularly
distinguished themselves by their gal
lantry in combat, the names of Adj't
Bird, Capts. March, Steed, Kewen,
Breckenridge, Davies, and Foster,
Lieuts. Lane, Dennett, Peabody, and
Vernon, Serg'ts. Parker and Stoval.
Very respect'ly, your obt. servant,
W. H. Bell,
Lt. Col. Louisiana Regiment.
Adj't Gen. Gonzales, of the
Army of Liberation.

72

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

Major Hawkins' Report reads very
curious to those who were at Cardenas.
They had no idea until this report
was made, that "the campaign" was
conducted with such far-seemg wis
dom and regularity! No man was
more self-possessed, or acted with more
courage than Maj. Hawkins through
out, and he also held a very important
position as commander during the after
noon ; but what was done would have
been done, commander or no com
mander. The fighting was all a
harum-scarum business, and not, as
one might suppose from this report, a
well-laid plan either of advance or
retreat.REPORT OF MAJOR HAWKINS, KENTUCKY
REGIMENT.
New Orleans, June 26, 1850.
Sir — Herewith I have the honor to
transmit to you a succinct report of
the Kentucky Regiment at the town
of Cardenas, from the time the com
mand devolved on me.
Col. O'Hara being wounded early
on the morning of the 19th May, I
immediately brought the Regiment to
a halt, and in possition to attack the
building from which the enemy were
delivering their fire. I at once saw
the only mode of attack would be to
force an entrance through the doors or
windows, but at the moment I was
commencing the operation, Gen. Lo
pez' came up and countermanded the
order, and directed me to hold my
command in front of the building.
He then proceeded to the main en
trance and demanded the surrender of

the garrison, on which demand they
immediately threw open the doors, and
the house was taken possession of by
a party of our men.
During this time the Louisiana Re
giment, undei Col. Wheat, passed up
the street into the Plaza, where they
were received by a volley from the
line of infantry formed in front of the
Governor's house, which was situated
across the Plaza, and directly opposite
to the house from which we had been
first fired upon. This fire was kept
up for some minutes, when the Spanish
forces were driven from the building.
It was now light enough to 'discover
the position of our forces. The
Louisiana Regiment, commanded by
Lieut. Col. Bell, (Col. Wheat being
wounded,) was under the walls of the
Governor's house, and making a brisk
attack upon it. My command was
holding the position directed by the
General, on the opposite side of the
Plaza from the Governor's house.
Having received an order not to fire,
my men were standing at a rest, and
receiving a very sharp fire from the
windows and top of the building, by
which several of them were wounded.
The Mississippi Battalion was formed
up and down the main street, their
right flank resting upon my right.
They were protected from the fire by
the buildings in the rear.
After remaining in this position
some time, I, by order of Gen. Lopez,
(leaving one company under Capt.
Robinson to support the Louisiana
Regiment,) made a circuit to the left,
and passed to the rear of the city,

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

73

where I took up a position to resist
any force that might attempt to enter
the place. Here the command re
mained some two hours, when I re
ceived the news of the surrender of
the Governor, and an order to return
to the Plaza. It was now nearly
twenty-four hours since the command
had sleep or refreshment, and the men
were very much exhausted. After
placing them in as comfortable a posi
tion as could be found, I proceeded
to see what could be done for them in
the way of food and water, and also
to learn in what position we stood
with the inhabitants. I found that
the garrison, which consisted of a
company of infantry, after learning
from Gen. Lopez the object of our in
vasion, had determined to join our
standard; but the reception we met
from the citizens was far from en
couraging. There were many of them
leaving the place, while those who re
mained appeared much surprised and
alarmed at our appearance. This
state of affairs continued until noon,
when they began to wear a more
favorable aspect. A few persons came
in with some show of friendship, and
others brought in a number of old
swords and fowling pieces for our use,
but not one of them evinced a disposi
tion to use them.
Things went on quietly during the
afternoon. About four o'clock I was
sent for by Gen. Lopez, who informed
me that he had determined to change
his plan of operations, since he had
failed in surprising the city of Car
denas -as he had expected, and having

learned that information of our landing
had been carried to Matanzas, there
would be sent by the railway trains,
which would probably reach us by one
o'clock that night, a much larger force
than he felt justified in our present con
dition in attempting to resist. He had
therefore determined, (still holding out
the idea that we were to embark on
the railway,) to re-embark the troops
on the Creole, and endeavor to make a
landing at a point on the Island where
he would find a force organized and
ready to support him. After com
municating this to Lieut. Col. Bell,
of the' Louisiana Regiment, and Maj.
Smith, of the Mississippi Battalion,
I proceeded to get my command in
order, and ready to move at a moment's
notice. After sending Capt. Robinson's com
pany, at the request of Col. O'Hara,
to the steamer, to facilitate the reload
ing and supplying her with coal and
water, my command consisted of the
companies of Capts. Logan, Wilson,
and Knight, (the latter under the com
mand of Lieut. Dear,) and a portion
of Capt. Johnson's company, consis
ting in all of about eighty-five or
ninety men, we having lost eight, kill
ed and wounded, in the action of the
morning. I moved then to the centre
of the Plaza, and there held them
ready for orders. About six o'clock,
P. M., the Louisiana and Mississippi
Regiments, with the prisoners, arms,
&c, were put in motion towards the
railway, which was near to, and in
the direction of the vessel. So soon
as these Regiments moved off, Gen.

74

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

Lopez told me that he had been in
formed that there was a force, consis
ting of four companies of infantry and
one hundred and fifteen lancers, march
ing upon the town, and he doubted
not it was their intention to attack us.
He then directed me to form my com
mand across the street, leading from
the landing through the Plaza and out
of the city. I was to defend this pas
sage to the steamer, and cover the em
barkation of the main body of our
troops, until the signal should be
sounded on the bugle for me to retire
to the steamer. If I was attacked he
was to reinforce me from the other
commands. Perceiving at once the
importance of our position, and be
lieving the fate of our whole force to
depend on our successfully defending
it, I determined to take on myself the
responsibility of altering the disposi
tion of my command. There being
but three streets leading from the rear
of the town to the vessel, by which
the enemy could pass, one running
through the Plaza, in front of which
I was posted, and one on either side,
running parallel to it, I determined to
throw Capt. Johnson's company from
my right to occupy one, and the com
pany on my left, under Lieut. Dear,
to occupy the other.
Before these companies could be
put in motion, the enemy having gain
ed cover of some detached houses in
and on the left of the Plaza, opened
their fire upon us. I immediately
hastened the movement of my flank
company, and they were just in time
to effect their object. The lancers

who were moving down the street on
our right, and upon discovering their
passage in that direction checked by
Capt. Johnson's company, changed
their direction to the left, and took up
a position in the main street, about
three squares in front of us. Their
number, as well as I could judge from
their formation, which was in column
of platoons, was about sixty or seven
ty. The company under Lieut. Dear
was met at the entrance of the street
on our left by a considerable body of
infantry. Their number being far
superior to his, he found some diffi
culty in repulsing them ; but by great
exertion on his own part and the gal
lant assistance of Adjutant Titus and
Sergeant Major McDonald, they were
finally driven back with considerable
loss. During this time a severe fire
was kept up between the enemy from
behind the buildings in the Plaza and
our centre company. This continued
for about half an hour, when the sig
nal was sounded for my command to
retire to the vessel. Not havino- re-
ceived the reinforcements promised, I
took it for granted that the General
had embarked the troops, and that I
was to retire in the best manner I could
to the vessel. The infantry on our
front and flank had been driven back
with severe loss, and I perceived the
lancers preparing to charge. Believ
ing that we could contend more suc
cessfully with them in the street, I
prepared to obey the signal by calling
in my flank companies, and putting
the centre in motion down the street.
At the termination of the second

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

75

square, seeing the lancers in motion
and rapidly closing upon us, I brought
the command to a halt and in position
to receive them. The Regiment was
now formed with the two centre com
panies across the street, and the flank
companies on the side-walk. So soon
as the lancers were near enough to
render it difficult for them to check
their career, the two centre companies
fell back on the side-walk in line with
those already formed upon it. As
they passed at full speed we poured in
a raking volley which brought to the
ground nearly the whole body, some
eight or ten of them escaping by one
of the cross streets. Seeing their
second line coming down, I moved
my command rapidly to the square
below, and was there met by Lieut.
Col. Pickett with a portion of the de
tachment under his command. We
formed and received the second charge
in the same manner, but with a much
more fatal result to the enemy. Those
who passed our fire were met at the ter
mination of the street by Capt. Allen's
company, and not a man escaped. I
then moved my command to the posi
tion occupied by Capt. Allen, and
there formed them again to receive the
enemy, should they make another at
tack. The command now resting with
Lieut. Col. Pickett, he moved us to a
position within a short distance of the
vessel, and there awaited orders to
embark, which we received in about
one hour and a half.
Our loss in the action of the evening
was eight killed and nineteen wounded.

Among the former we have to regret
the loss of Capt. Logan and Lieut.
Garnett, who fell in the gallant dis
charge of their duty. Also, Rev. John
McCann, chaplain of the Regiment,
a young gentleman highly esteemed,
and who had but lately taken orders
in the Episcopal Church previous to
his joining the Expedition.
Very respectfully, your ob't. serv't,
Thos. T. Hawkins,
Major Kentucky Regiment.
Adj't Gen. Gonzales,
Late Liberating Army of Cuba.

REPORT OF MAJ. HARDY, KENTUCKY
REGIMENT.
Monticello, Georgia, July 1, 1850.
General: On the 12th of March
last, I was instructed by Col. O'Hara,
by letter from Elizabethtown, Ky., to
recruit a number of men to aid in rev
olutionizing the Island of Cuba. In
accordance with which instructions,
I proceeded to invite my friends in
the city of Cincinnati and the adjoin
ing counties of Kentucky — to the
number of some two hundred — to ac
company me in the expedition. They
generously and gallantly responded to
my call upon them, by enlisting them
selves in the cause of Cuba's libera
tion ; and on the 4th day of April last,
we embarked from Cincinnati and
Covington, for New Orleans, and ar
rived at the adjacent city of Lafayette
on the eleventh day of the same month*
when I reported to Adjutant Gen.
Gonzales and Lieut. Col. Pickett, in

76

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

the city of New Orleans, the arrival
of the Kentucky Regiment at Lafa
yette. For the particulars of the further
movements of Kentucky regiment, af
ter its landing at Lafayette, up to
the time of our landing at Cardenas
on the island of Cuba, or until the
surrender of the command by Col.
O'Hara, in consequence of a severe
wound received by him early on the
morning of the 19th of May in the
attack on Cardenas, I will respect
fully refer you to the reports of my
superior officers, Col. O'Hara and
Lt. Col. Pickett.
After the withdrawal of Col.
O'Hara, for reasons above stated,
the command of the regiment devolv
ed jointly upon myself and Major
Hawkins, Lt. Col. Pickett having
been despatched with a detatchment
from the regiment, to take possession
of the railroad depot and cars. [But
permit me to state here, that owing
to a misunderstanding existing between
myself and Major Hawkins, as to
our relative positions, in consequence
of the very singular conduct of Col.
O'Hara towards us, or at least to
wards myself, — neither of us seemed
to know in what rank we stood to
each other. For my own part, I pre
sumed that I justly occupied the right
and rank of Major to the regiment ;
and founded my right and reasons to
do so upon the following positive as
surance and guarantee of Col. O'Hara
himself, given to me after I had raised
the regiment, and three days previous
to our embarkation from Cincinnati :

" You shall be Major in rank for
your excellent services, with rapid
promotion." Extract from Col.
O'Hsra's letter, dated Frankfort, Ky.,
April 1st, 1850. J
After Col. O'Hara being wounded,
we moved on as we had entered the
town, in columns of companies, until
we came up in front of the quartel,
or prison, in which the Spanish sol
diers, or a portion of them were posted,
whereupon they poured into our ranks
repeated vollies of musketry from
within, through the windows, and from
the tops of the houses. Upon the head
of our column arriving at the corner
of the plaza, upon which the garrison
was situated, the right wing was or
dered to file right and march up in
front of that side of the garrison front
ing the chapel, whilst the left, front
faced and returned the fire of the enemy
into the windows from which they
had fired upon us. In this position
we surrounded each of the fronting
sides of the garrison, when the main
doors of the building were thrown open
and we entered; but the enemy had
withdrawn by a back door, escaping to
the Governor's house on the opposite
side of the square. At this period our
ranks had become considerably disor
dered, but were soon reformed and
marched by the right flank into line of
battle across the plaza, from where we
fired, for some time, at the enemy oc
cupying the top of the Governor's and
adjacent houses. While here it was
ordered^ that one company from the
Ky. Regiment should occupy a house
just opposite the Governor's, which was

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

77

done by Capt. Robinson's company
without resistance by the occupants.
After remaining a short time at our
last mentioned position, we received
orders to march to the back part of
the town, — to where a small body of
horsemen had been seen to come up
and form, as if designing an attack, —
in compliance with which we moved
off at a quick step along the outside
street upon the left, and running paral
lel with the main street by which we
entered, until we came to an intersect
ing street, three squares back from the
plaza, up which we filed until we
came to the main street again where
we halted and formed a line across
main street. Here we remained until
the fighting in and about the plaza
had ceased and the enemy surrendered,
when we again marched into the plaza,
and permitted the men to lay down
their arms and rest.
About three o'clock in the evening,
orders came that we were to re-em
bark upon board the Creole. The
Louisiana and Mississippi regiments
were marched to the boat, whilst the
Ky. Regiment was ordered to remain
in the town as a rear guard, in antici
pation of an attack from a reinforce
ment of the enemy supposed to be ad
vancing upon us. As ordered, we
formed a line of battle across the plaza,
kept upon the qui vive for the expected
attack by the enemy, when about 5
o'clock a body of their infantry, to the
number, as supposed, of about 200,
was seen advancing, and in a few
minutes commenced a brisk fire upon
us, which was returned by our line

with disastrous effect upon the enemy.
Thus the fighting continued for perhaps
an hour, during which they made sev
eral efforts to charge upon our line,
but were each time repulsed, by the
well directed fire of our men, with
considerable loss, until they finally
withdrew, save perhaps a few who
still lurked behind the houses on the
left, and would occasionally show
themselves and fire upon us, but they
too were finally driven off by Capt.
Knight's company, under command of
Lieut. Dear, which was ordered to
move down to the street upon our left
and dislodge the enemy from their po
sition behind the houses. In the
meantime, a body of some 100 lan
cers presented themselves in the street
some three or four squares above us,
where they halted and went through
various manoeuvres indicating that
they were about to charge us, but we
maintained our line, fearful to attempt
the formation of a hollow square with
troops so raw in drill, but they declined
to charge and filed down a street as if
to endeavor to pass to our rear and cut
off our communication with the boat ;
to intercept this movent of the enemy,
Capt. Johnson's company, occupying
our extreme right, was ordered to form
across the next street below on our
right, upon doing which he met the
lancers advancing as we had antici
pated, but they immediately withdrew
upon his approach. Our flanking
companies were then called in, in
order that we might again form in bat
talion for the purpose of moving down,
some distance nearer to the boat ; but

78

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

just as we had formed and were about
moving off, the lancers again appeared
advancing upon us at a rapid pace ; but
before they got near enough upon us
to use their lances, we fired and drove
them off in disorder, and then moved
on, but they soon formed again and
made a desperate charge upon us, our
only alterative now to resist them and
protect ourselves, was to throw the
men in simple line along the pavements
next the houses, and fire upon them as
they passed; this movement worked
admirably, and as the enemy charged
through the street they received the
fire' of our men, which was so well
aimed as to almost annihilate their
entire body, whilst we had but one
man slightly wounded by them. By
this time we were joined by the de
tachment under Lieut. Col. Pickett,
and that gentlemen assumed command

of the regiment, and to whose report
you are referred for an account of its
subsequent movements.
The men and officers generally,
acted with a most commendable cool
ness and bravery throughout the en
tire day, nor do I believe that any merit
an especial notice above the mass, and
though some have been particularized
in some of the reports, I am constrain
ed to believe that it was done from
personal and selfish motive rather than
that those noticed deserved particular
commendation over their comrades.
Of the universal anarchy that pre
vailed on board of the Creole after
we left Cardenas, you are I presume
aware. Respectfully,
William Hardy,
Major Ky. Regiment.
To Gen. Lopez, Commander in Chief
of the Cuban Army of Liberation.

FRAGMENTS

GENERAL LOPEZ.

An observing writer in the South
gives the following short description of
the Liberating General :
"His appearance is by no means
calculated to disappoint preconceived
opinions. The simplicity of his man
ners and dress win at once upon those
who will tolerate no assumption of
superiority, whether it proceeds from
address, or station, or mind. A bene
volence of expression is admirably
coupled with a delightful suavity of
manners, which leads him to extend
the same courtesy to the awkward pri
vate, as to the polished officer. Each
saw before him a present Republican,
devoid of arrogance or ostentation,
whatever may have been his previous
history or predilections. The observer
cannot fail to dwell upon his physical
characteristics. Of medium size, a
body of more compactness and strength,
and agility, could hardly be imagined.
It is one of those physical anomalies,
rapid in every movement, and of capa
city to endure every fatigue and cope
with every difficulty. A Mississip-
pian, whose pale face and stalwart
limbs clearly indicated his residence

among the broad pine forests of the
southern portion of his native State,
facetiously remarked that 'old Lopez
was nothing shorter than a pine knot.'
You look in vain for that staidness of
demeanor and solemnity of aspect,
which we are accustomed to associate
with the nation of which he is a dis
tinguished descendant, and yet there
is an air of stern romance and chivalric
sentiment, that is only transmitted to
us in the portraits of the self-sacrifi
cing heroes of a by-gone age. A strong,
restless dark eye, and a greyish, wiry
beard, complete the figure of this ex
traordinary man. A fitness for any
emergency, an adaptation for any crisis,
and a willingness to embark in any en
terprize, however perilous, are clearly
indicated in every feature and move
ment."

SKETCH OF ADJT. GEN. GONZALES.
"A. J. Gonzales, who received at
Mugeres, the appointment of Adjutant
General, was born of respectable
parents, at Matanzas, in the Island of
Cuba. He left the place of his nati
vity at an early age, and in the city

80

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

of New York, carried off the highest
honors of his class. By excellent for
tune, the directors of his college were
exiles from sunny France, who spared
no pains to imbue the young man and
promising Cuban, with correct ideas
of Republican principles. Returning
to his oppressed country, the pursuit
of the law seemed to afford the best
avenue for his restless spirit. We
find him graduating in that department
at the age of twenty. The rank pollu
tion that beset him on every side,
soon disgusted him with the avocation
in which he had embarked. Until the
age of twenty-six, (a thing unprece
dented in the history of literary insti
tutions,) he remained a Professor of
latin, mathematics, geography, and
modern languages, in the two royal
colleges of Havana. There are few
instances on record, of one so young,
possessed of such varied accomplish
ments and occupying so prominent a
position. It is not surprising, that the
requisite confinement, and application
and assiduity would soon impair the
most vigorous constitution. At this
time, the sudden death of a beloved
parent weighed heavily upon the na
tural buoyancy of his spirits. He re
solved upon a change of employment
and scenery. Two years were now
spent in the excitement of travel in
Spain and the United States. If his
ardent soul had faltered at any previous
time, in the choice between tyranny
and the glowing charms of Republican
freedom, he could palter to the sense
no longer. Oppression, in its most
abject and loathsome character, afforded

a wonderful contrast to the pervading
happiness and prosperity of a people,
who exercised, in its fullest extent, the
right of government. He loved his
native isle, and like the daughters of
Judea, he wept in secret, as he remem
bered her woe and captivity. The
polished man of letters, the adept in
ancient and modern lore, determined,
from that time forth, to devote his re
cruited energies, and the talents which
the God of nature had bestowed upon
him with no unsparing profusion, to
the redemption and disenthralment of
the bright and sunny island that gave
him birth. We find him again in
Cuba, a full-blown conspirator, plot
ting, in conjunction with the noble
Creoles, against a foul foreign domina
tion. While we reflect, that a very
large body of the more gifted and in
fluential of the islanders are solemnly
committed to this enterprize, and that
Gen. Gonzales was unanimously ap
pointed one of the four of the secret
'junta for the promotion of the political
interests of Cuba,' and that he was
deputed a commissioner to solicit the
services of Gen. Worth in aid of the
contemplated revolution, it can well be
imagined that a spotless reputation, and
inordinate talents, could alone have in
spired such boundless confidence.
"A casual observer would pronounce
Gonzales a deep and powerful thinker.
A heavy, and somewhat sluggish, yet
strongly marked countenance would in
dicate a preference for the closet, with
its seclusion and dusty tomes, rather
than a desire to mingle in the fierce
excitement and personal hazards of a

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

81

dangerous revolution. We would say
that the extreme benevolence and kind
ness of heart apparent in every feature,
would induce the General to perform
acts of private and unostentatious chari
ty,, and then hurry to his studio to pen a
political essay enforcing the ameliora
tion of his fellow creatures. But a
glance at his strong, and full, and rest
less dark eye, dissipated the illusion.
You might as well attempt to confine
the Hyrcanian tiger in a fisherman's
net, as subject to the quiet walks and
pursuits of life this same Gonzales.
Converse with him five little minutes
and he will display to you the most
erudite knowledge of character and the
general world. I shall say that deep
policy and mental activity were his
distinguishing characteristics. I have
often thought that a blending of the
different traits that distinguished Lopez
and his Adjutant- General, would re
volutionize the world — the tiger and
fox, divested of ferocity and meanness.
Without any tuition in that particular
department,' General Gonzales has dis
played, upon several occasions, powers
of oratory of no ordinary character.
One instance suffices in corroboration.
Upon a complimentary dinner given
to Elwood Fisher, by the Legislature
of Virginia, some time during the
year 1849, he startled the assembled
crowd by the pathos in which he de
picted the horrors of his native land,
and the wild tones of defiance he
launched against her besotted oppres

sors.

SPEECH OF COLONEL WHEAT.
An officer in the Lousiana Battal
ion has given the following report of
a speech by Col. Wheat, on board the
Susan Loud, when about to organize
his forces. This, and others which
follow, are interesting specimens of
piratical oratory :
"Fellow Citizens: — We have
now arrived at our point of destina
tion and organization in the Gulf. —
You are aware that we cleared from
New Orleans for Chagres. Captain
Pendleton informs me that it is a mat
ter of perfect indifference with him
whether we proceed to Chagres or
not, since he has been paid the charter
for his vessel to that place ; hence, if
we stop short of our destination, he
cannot be injured. I hold in my hand,
a paper delivered to me by one of
Gen. Lopez's Aids, the seal of which
he told me to break when in lat.
26 degs. N, and Ion.' 87 degs. W.,
which point we have now reached. —
I find, on opening this paper, that I
am directed to remain near this point
until the 7th day of May, on which day
he expects to leave New Orleans on
the Creole ; on the 7th, to morrow, we
are to sail on a direct line for the
Balize, and by Thursday evening may
expect to see the Creole and the old
General. I have addressed you as
fellow-citizens because it is perhaps
the last time I shall ever address you
as citizens of the U. States. Long
ere the sun has sunk beneath the
world of waters which now surround
us, we shall perhaps have consum-

82

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

mated an act that will throw us be
yond the protection of the stars and
the stripes, under whose auspices we
have sailed thus far. This act is
simply organizing our little band into
a skeleton regiment for the purpose of
landing on, and wrenching Cuba from
the grasp of bigoted and besotted
Spain. The moment we organize,
that moment we pass beyond the pro
tection of our own government, we
have no longer any right to sail under
her flag — but, like Hagar when she
went forth from the tabernacle of
Abraham into the wilderness, we still
have a right to call on Him who
buildeth up the feeble and destroyeth
the mighty; and doeth that at all
times, amongst the sons of men,
which seemeth good in his sight. I
shall therefore henceforth address you
as Soldiers of the Liberating Army
of Cuba.
"We then, Fellow-Soldiers, have
arrived at the point for which we
sailed, although many, nay most of
you, sailed for Chagres, yet you all
knew WHERE you were then bound,
and for WHAT. Does any here ob
ject to landing in CUBA a week
sooner than he thought to do when he
left home ? Does any grudge to the
Cubans that boon of freedom, which
it is our purpose to bestow, a few days
in advance of the expected time ?
"No, I feel that I address those
who are not only fully imbued with
the glorious principles of equal right
themselves, but who will seek the
post of danger at any time for the pur
pose of extending them to all who

may desire their beneficial influence
on their social and political systems.
"It has well been said that we live
in an age of progress, and no circum
stance, perhaps, is more indicative of
the onward march of the time than
this expedition! When civilization
was in its infancy, nation made war
upon nation for conquest and booty,
more recently, they have gone to war
for principle ; such was the case in the
American revolution, and the memory
of Lafayette is hallowed in every
American heart, for coming to the res
cue of our fathers in their struggle for
principle and nationality, after they
themselves had taken up arms to repel
oppression and establish right on the
basis of reason ! But the march of
mind is onward, and that, which three
quarters of a century since was con.
sidered patriotic devotion, is now con
sidered every patriot's duty ; and pa
triotism now consists, not so much in
going to the rescue of an oppressed
people, (as was the case very recently
in the Texas revolution,) after they
are in open rebellion, as in striking
the first blow for them, which we pro
pose to do for the Cubans. Does any
here doubt our success, let him return
— does any doubt the propriety of
our undertaking, let him ask himself
if he would be free— does any doubt
the legality of the expedition, let him
read VATTEL on international law."
[Just at this point the Cuban flag
was run up to the mast-head and
thrown to the breeze.J
Liberators! behold your flag! 
Three cheers for the Cuban flag !

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

83

" Soldiers of the Liberating Army
of Cuba, you have embarked in a des
perate and daring enterprise, should the
Cubans deceive us. If we are not
deceived, then we have undertaken the
most patriotic and praiseworthy task
of ancient or modern times, that of
giving liberty and equality to an op
pressed and degraded people, oppress
ed by heavy taxes and arbitrary exac
tions, degraded, because they have
neither religious nor political liberty,
nor are the masses elevated above
the savage, either by intellectual or
moral culture.
" But let them be true to them
selves, to us, to humanity, morality, reli

gion, the rights of man, and ere long
the atmosphere of Cuba, instead of
having the fragrance of its many rich
flowers mingled with the wails of the
wretched and tyrant-trodden inhabi
tants, as it floats on the soft zephyrs
of evening, shall ascend with the
music of praise, in the early dawn of
the mellow and voluptuous morning to
the ' Giver of every good and perfect
gift ;' and the very soil of this beauti
ful island shall be imbued with re
publican principles, as staid and as
beautiful as our own dear native land,
< The land of the free and the home
of the brave' (cheers.)
"You are aware, fellow-soldiers,
that we have come from the United
States without arms, without organiza
tion, without previous concert to com
mit any overt act which may, by any
possibility, compromise the dignity or
disturb the harmony 'of our own gov
ernment; nor do we expect or intend

to violate any law of nations, unless
revolution be so considered, and this
cannot be, because successful rebel
lion is always pronounced ,patriotism,
while a failure is branded as piracy. —
We then shall soon be patriots purer
than Cato, or conspirators more dark
than Cataline. Then, Soldiers of the
Liberating Army of Cuba, while you
gaze on that flag, with its lone star, re
solve to make it your winding-sheet
on the field of battle, or your beacon
in the camp of victory.
" You will now proceed to divide
yourselves into ten equal companies,
forming a skeleton regiment, and se
lect your officers, after which they
will draw lots for rank ; and may suc
cess attend not only this, but every
other effort on the Western Continent,
yea, in the world, to eradicate the last
germ of Monarchy."

the revolt at mugeres.
While the Creole was getting water
at the Island of Mugeres, nearly the
whole body of the Mississippians and
Louisianians, determined at one time
to abandon the Expedition. Col.
Wheat's rhetoric and eloquence was
again called into requisition, and as
sembling the battalions on the beach,
he addressed them in the following
strain. The "green pastures by the
side of still waters," which he so beau
tifully describes, became quite a by
word among the waggish officers :
" Fellow Soldiers : — This day a
perfect organization of the Army of

84

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

Liberators has been effected. Your
wishes, previously expressed, have
been carried out by our noble head — I
now bear the commission of Colonel
of this detachment. [Cheers].
"I therefore seize the present op
portunity of conveying to you my un
feigned thanks for the preference you
have shown me, as also to detail in a
few words, my views of the Expedi
tion in which we have jointly em
barked, together with the line of con
duct I shall, with assistance of Divine
Providence, endeavor to pursue. While
yet within the borders of our beloved
country, the distant wail of oppressed
Cubans, to whose rescue we are now
rushing, saluted our pained ears,
every breeze from the southward that
should have been laden with the sweet
perfume of tropical flowers, was freight
ed with cries of anguish and shrieks of
despair. Men born in the image of
their Maker, entitled, as are the whole
human family, to rights and the de
licious boon of liberty, are trampled in
the dust. The iron heel of oppression
is upon their necks. A bigoted tyrant
in a distant land sends forth her cohorts
to enthrall and enslave them. The
lovely island, blooming with perennial
flowers, about which are clustered the
fond associations of birth and child
hood, is made the theatre of a brutal
oppression, unprecedented in the most
diresome periods of a Nero or a Cali
gula, and this too, within a short dis
tance of a land that boasts of a Wash
ington, an Adams, a Hancock, and a
Patrick Henry ! [Cheers]. Of a land
whose offspring shudders more at the

least infringement of right, than at the
tiger's leap.
" The inhabitants of this beauteous
isle have learned the distinction be
tween freedom and slavery, they have
occasionally seen how everything pros
pers under the glorious influences of in
stitutions based upon correct principles,
and they burn to throw off the grievous
chains that environ them. But the
eye of the bloody monster never sleeps,
and his nostrils are keen scented, his
arm is nervous and strong. The slight
est manifestation of dissatisfaction is
detected, and the poor victim sacrificed
ere he has breathed his wish to escape
from the loathing embrace.
"I have said, fellow soldiers, that
the cry of their distress has long floated
in the breeze. With tearful vision
they have gazed upon the broad blue
waters that sever the soil of freedom
from the isle of debasement, wrong
and outrage. They ask in plain
tive tones, is there no sympathy for
the helpless and down-trodden Creole?
Will not those gallant souls that rushed
so nobly to the aid of Mexico, Poland,
Hungary, and Texas, will they forget
their poor neighbors who groan under
a vassalage more galling, and who
seek deliverance with emotions as
strong and ardent as these ? Will not,
they ask again, the hardy offspring of
revolutionary sires faciliate them in
making an effort for manhood and na
tionality ? You my worthy comrades,
heard those heart-rending cries and
warm appeals. When did a deserv
ing American listen to the cry of dis
tress, and not fly to succor and Re-

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

85

lieve ! (' Nary a time,') said one Lieut ;
'never,' said another; and 'never"
said we all ; just at this time the tall
Lieutenant said, ' wa-wa-well we will
o-o-offer them the cup of liberty, and
they may use it or refu-fu-fuse it as
they like.) Order being restored, Col.
Wheat proceeded: " I glory in being
connected with such a noble enterprise ;
I thank God that I have contributed
my mite, in furtherance of the great
cause of human rights ; I thank you
from my inmost heart that you have
placed me in your van!" [Cheers].
(Here the Colonel was sensibly affected,
and wiped off with a new kerchief,
the flowing perspiration). He resum
ed— " The kindly interposition of a su-
peintending Providence, is clearly ap
parent in every step we have thus far
taken, but our government, though
every artery is throbbing with pulsa
tions of sympathy for our success, is
compelled to make peace offerings to
a silly code of international law. If
our own government, my gallant
friends, should think it their duty to
exercise a ridiculous espionage over
our movement, then indeed will our
chances of success be much dimin
ished ; but land us once in Cuba, let
the standard of liberty be raised, let us
make a successful stand, and that
mighty engine, public opinion, will
sustain us at home, while our arms
will sustain us in Cuba, and soon, 'we
shall feed in green pastures by the side
of still waters,' in this gem Republic
of the Ocean. [Cheers and evidences
of returning enthusiasm.]

" But I thank God our little vessel
has so far carried us safely past the boom
ing cannon of our vessels of war. The
Spanish government too, made ac
quainted with our designs by the offi
cious intermedling of foreign and mer
cenary spies, has been upon the alert.
" Her steamers and vessels of war are
known to be cruising upon the Gulf in
search of our glorious band, yet thanks
to the powers that be, here we are, es
caped from perils and released from
dangers. " I tell you, my noble soldiers, suc
cess must perch upon our banner.
The one-starred flag will soon float
over the gloomy battlements of Moro's
dismal dungeons, (loud, cheers.) Cuba
shall yet be free ! and the blood gorged
tyrants shall lick the dust, or run how
ling to their mountain caves, or seek
for safety on board their tall masted,
vessels, (cheers.)
" I need not, soldiers, utter one word
to stimulate you to deeds of daring and
hardy valor. The daring of Ameri
can troops is a part of their nature
and being, the world echoes it to the
skies — the Lion of England has twice
quailed, when the American Eagle
stooped from her eyrie (great cheering).
" We may die perhaps, the future is
in the womb of time, but there is no
such word as fail, ('die first,' said the
Lieutenant). Should the humble in
dividual who now addresses you, fall
beneath the sword of his foe, he asks
but 'a soldier* s grave and a soldier's
tear !'
" In conclusion, permit me to urge
upon you all, the necessity of most

86

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

rigid discipline, for in that consists our
strength. Let it not be said that fe
male virtue has been violated by one
of my brave Louisianians — guard
strictly the rights of property, (I've
lost a plug of tobacco I notice, said a
Punchified private, aside.)
"And now my brave boys, let us
under command of our noble chieftain
rush to the field of glory, pluck the
besotted usurper from her Island pe
destal."  " ' Our watchword shall be,
On to the battle ! Let the Cubans be free !' "
After this, whenever the men would
become doubtful and discontented, a tall
stuttering Louisiana Lieutenant would
help to dispel their foreboding by his
funny "hints." He would say: —
"Ma- Ma- Men! you all recollect
that but y-y-yesterday, Colonel Wheat
told us, w-w-we sh-sh-sh-should soon
'feed on gr-gr-green pastures by the
side of still waters on the g-g-gem Re-
Re-Republic of the ocean.' I never
knew Col. Wheat to lie standing, I
th-th-therefore think we had b-b-better
go down and see those pa-pa-pastures
anyway, s-s-something may turn up
green down there, if it is only a turtle."
" And what if a Spanish war stea
mer should board us on our way to
this delightful place?"
"Now wa wa-would'nt that be a
commentary on th-th-these green pas
tures sh-sh-should they turn out to
be but blue waters after all ? For my
part I should have an u-u-utter con
tempt "for the su-su-substitute just
now," said the tall Lieutenant.

COL. BUNCH S SPEECH.
It will be seen from the following
that Col. Bunch could- talk as brave
as anybody:
"In a short time, my companions
in arms, we will reach the land des
tined to be a scene of conflict. I con
ceive the present therefore, a fitting
occasion to address to you a few ob
servations. It is idle for me to say
that I esteem it the greatest of all hon
ors, to be the leader of as brave and
determined a body of men, as ever as
sembled together in a good cause. In
times past, Mississippi has become
known to fame by the gallantry of her
noble sons. Wherever the contest
has waged the hottest, her offspring
have been found. No tarnish rests
upon her escutcheon, and to be the
commander of her worthy lads, under
any circumstances, is sufficient to
swell the heart with gratitude and
piide. I need not here repeat that
every effort will be made on my part,
to lead you on to glory and victory.
Sooner would I die, than pluck one
flower from the garland of honor and
reputation, which has been woven by
her Quitmans and Davises. [Cheers].
" We have much reason to congrat
ulate ourselves, upon the favorable
progress of our projects thus far. The
distinguished warrior who heads our
enterprise, has already secured our
confidence and esteem, and if I may be
permitted to gather your sentiments
from my own, there is not one among
us, that is not ready to pour out his
heart's blood in defence of a General,

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

87

whose prudence, and sagacity, and
valor, are equally manifest. In addi
tion to our reliance upon so exalted
a chieftain, it is a subject of grati
tude that we have been permitted to
mature our plans, without interference
from our own, or the government
against which we are about to array
ourselves. " Everything is now prepared for
our anticipated descent, and but a few
short hours will elapse, before our ears
will be greeted with hostile cannon.
" It is not forme to urge upon you,
the necessity of stern valor. Bravery
has ceased to be a merit with the
American character; cowardice has
become a fable, a chimera of the
mind. Rather is it my duty to warn
you, against reckless courage, that
will not bow to discretion — there is
more danger to be anticipated from
wild displays of frantic valor. Let
me be permitted to enforce upon you,
a subserviency to the laws of strict
discipline. Towering above the feel
ings of gratitude and friendship which
this occasion is so eminently calculated
to inspire, allow me for a moment, to
assume the stern position of a military
commander. Ourdutieswillleadus into
the heart of a densely populated country,
and opportunities will not be wanting
to stimulate to the baser passions of
our nature, particularly in the dull
hours of a soldier's leisure. I now
declare that I will visit the extreme
rigors of martial law upon the unfor
tunate man who will so forget his
honor, and the moral character of the
land of his nativity, as to violate fe

male chastity. In this particular, my
own views correspond with the orders
of our commander-in-chief. Let it
not be said my brave comrades, that
your Colonel was forced to so cruel
an alternative — that a Mississippian
permitted his lust to outrun his valor
and his honor. Nor less severe shall
be the penalty upon such as infringe
in the slightest degree upon the rights
of property. We did not leave the
protection of the stars and stripes, to
revel in besotted madness, or to pur
sue a life of buccaneering. Ours is a
higher, a nobler motive. We wend to a
land of dire oppression, that we may
aid a struggling people in their efforts
to obtain a freedom, such as the God of
Nature has destined to the whole human
family. The painful information has
reached me, that a few of our num
bers have determined to withdraw
from our glorious expedition. Use no
efforts to detain them. By our side
lays the Georgiana, fully competent
to transport such to the United States.
Base, cowardly traitors, if there be
any in my ranks, stand forth, that the
ineffaceable mark of infamy may eat
readily into your craven foreheads.
Stand forth, I say. I will have no
tainted knaves in the midst to pollute
my valorous men. None? God be
thanked, and I earnestly entreat your
forgiveness for the suspicion.
" In conclusion, let us with lusty
lungs raise cheers for our glorious
chieftain." [Great Cheering].

88

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

FUNERAL ORATION.
On the burial at sea of Capt. Logan
and Quartermaster Sexias, Judge
Smith, of Mississippi, delivered the
following oration:
"Fellow Soldiers. — The pain
ful duty devolves upon me to consign
to the deep the lifeless forms now ly
ing stiff and stark before you. For
give me my friends, should I betray
emotions unusual to a soldier. I
knew Logan well. In the halcyon
days of childhood I knew him — inboy-
hood I loved him, and as years stole
on apace, we became companions and
friends in maturer years.
" Kentucky never boasted a nobler
son. Descended from one of the
earliest Judges of the State, he inheri
ted his parent's talents, and that devo
tion to right and fearlessness in its de
fence, that characterized the hardy
pioneers of his native State. I never
knew him to swerve one tittle from the
path of rectitude.
" Last night when the death-sweat
was upon him, he summoned to his
side his esteemed friend, Capt. Allen,
and poured into his ear a kind father's
behests for a far distant, but much be
loved son. When his noble soul was
about to extricate itself from its carnal
casement, and wing its way to realms
of bliss reserved for the brave, he for
got not his little son. When the cries
of the oppressed Cubans reached our
shores, he was the first to espouse her
cause, and he has been among the first
who has poured out his heart's blood
in her holy cause. A curse upon the

hand that slew him. A hecatomb of
Spaniards would not make one Logan.
" Friend of Freedom, farewell."
"And Sexias too! The wag, the
life of our noble enterprise, where now
are your songs, your flashes of wit,
and your ever welcome jests. Alas! a
watery grave is now your portion. Un
scathed by the bullets of the serried
Mexicans, you were doomed to fall
while bearing the one-starred flag that
shall yet float o'er Cuba — then shall
the first martyr to the flag be remem
bered. A dependent mother- will wail
as she hears of the untimely fate of
her darling boy. The glorious cause
of human rights shall buoy aloft her
broken heart to heaven.
"Forgive a soldier's tears, I find a
faithfull response in your unalloyed
sorrow."

letters.
A great number of letters were
written by the Liberators, and en
trusted to the officers of the Geogi-
ana at Contoy, when she was ex
pected to return to the United States.
They were all seized by the Spaniards
on capturing that vessel. Some of
them have been published, no doubt to
the great edification of the Don's.
Here is one from a " one-armed Lieu
tenant Colonel " to his flame.
"Dearest — 1 am now on my way
to Cuba; you will say this is because
I am fond of the battle-field — but let
me assure you once again that is a
wrong imputation ; I never was fond
of fighting;. I never, that I now re-

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

89

rftember, sought a difficulty with any
one, but you know, and you have told
me you like that trait in my cha
racter, I have never taken an insult
from any one.
" But you will say, as you said
when I went to Mexico, I need not
have gone. It is true I need not have
gone to Mexico ; my country was then
engaged in the war, and was able to
have gotten out of it without my help ;
but she called for volunteers — I was
young and vigorous — I offered my
services — they were accepted — I lost
an arm in defending her rights and na
tional honor — I regret the loss of the
arm, but glory in the cause in which
it was lost.
" I have another left, that I am now
going to peril for the liberation of the
Cubans, and if it shall be my good
fortune to aid in promoting the inde
pendence of Cuba with this right
arm, I shall be fully rewarded, if on
my return, after having wielded my
sword in defence of the fair daughters
of this beautiful isle, I am permitted
to encircle your delicate waist with
this same right arm, and call you my
own, my own dearest  . You
told me that you loved me, I knew
it was true, your tell-tale eyes had told
your secret before your lips made the
confession. I told you that I was
poor, without a name, and no prospect
before me that justified my aspiring to
call you mine. But, thank God, an
opportunity has offered, which, should
I be so fortunate as to survive, I shall
have not only fame, but fortune ; and
the very day that Cuba is free, I shall

fly on the wings of love to the home
of my dearest, and lay whatever of
fortune or fame I may have acquired
at your feet.
" I left home a captain-^— I am now
a lieutenant colonel. But I am still
true to promise; at sun-rise I think of
you, and as oft as it sets beneath the
western horizon, my thoughts wan
der back to Mississippi. Do you
think of me then — yes I know you
do, and it is pleasant to commune
with thy spirit, though the broad blue
Gulf separates us.
"I have ever worn your likeness
next my heart, and if I fall, it shall
be buried with me.
" Yours as ever, faithful and true,
"W. H. B."
Here is another, from an ambitious
and patriotic Kentucky Lieutenant to
his mother :
"Dear Mother. — When this reach
es you, I shall perhaps be far away on
the blue bosom of the Gulf of Mexico,
or perchance I may be in Cuba, a
prisoner in the Moro, a martyr at the
stake, a criminal at the gallows, or a
patriot on the field of glory. Start
not, mother, at this announcement;
youknowthe blood thatmy grandfather
shed in the revolution hallowed the
ground from which I have eaten bread ;
wonder not, then, that liberty is innate
in the bosom of your wayward son.
" There is a people inhabiting the
most lovely spot on earth ; imagine a
beautiful island, stretchingits gorgeous
leneth across the entrance to the Gulf
of Mexico, blessed with all that soil,

90

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

climate and scenery can give a coun
try, and you have but a faint idea of
the natural wealth or beauty of Cuba !
You know, mother, I have been there,
I therefore speak knowingly, when 1
say that the people who inhabit this
lovely spot are the most degraded,
downtrodden dagos on earth ; but they
have heard of the beauty, justice, lib
erty and fame of our glorious republic,
and desire to have a government like
it. They have sent their agents among
us ; they have told us the story of their
wrongs and their oppressions, and
have asked us to assist them in burst
ing asunder the bands of tyranny that
bind them.
"Would you suppose your son
would engage in such a work! Yes,
mother, I know you will say, God be
with you, my son ; the blood of a Mc
Afee or a Marshall, a McCormeck or
a Morgan, a Crittenden or a Clark, a
Desha or a Davis cannot be shed
in a better or more glorious cause
than that of spreading abroad hu
man rights, and enlightening human
reason. " Mother, I may fall, but I shall
never be taken ! and if I should never
return, rest assured that your son fell
with his ' face to the foe ' and his last
shout was for liberty."

general lopez s appeal to the
spanish army.
Soldiers of the Spanish Army: Call
ed by the inhabitants of this island to

place myself at the head of a great
popular movement, which has for its
only object political liberty and inde
pendence, and upheld in this great
cause by the power of a great and ge
nerous people, I now Jcome to these
plazas at the head of warlike troops,
determined to consummate so glo
rious an undertaking.
Soldiers ! I know you endure both
the despotism and the harshness of
your chiefs ; I know that, torn from
your fire-sides, and from the arms of
your fathers, sisters, brothers, and all
that was dear, by the barbarous laws
of conscription, you have been confined
in this country, where, in place of
mild treatment, which would at least,
in a measure, soften your misery, you
are treated like beasts, and in the midst
of the most profound peace, you. are
subjected to all the fatigues and rigors
of war.
Former companions in arms ! you
know me, and I also know you — I
have seen you in a hundred battles ; "I
know that you are brave, and that you
deserve to recover the dignity of men;
and to you I open the ranks of my
army, and invite you to occupy within
them a place among the champions of
liberty. Thus will you be able to have
rest and a good reward after the strug
gle, which will be short, is over, with
the free return to your firesides, where
the voice of family affection calls you.
Soldiers! between liberty and the
continuence of your ignominous ser
vitude, choose? But think well with
your swords drawn, and sheath them

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

91

not until you have left assured the
liberty of the whole country. Thus
will you fill with esteem your former

General, the commander-in-chief of
the liberating army of Cuba.
Narcisco Lopez.

THE TEN DESERTERS.

Mention has been made of ten men
deserting from the Creole at Mugeres
Island. One of them having got back,
and met with the writer, has given the
following account of their travels and
fate. It appears that a great number of
those on the Creole had determined,
at one time, to abandon the Expedi
tion, on reaching Mugeres. Their
officers, on the trip from New Orleans,
had failed to arrange matters with any
view to their comfort, or to conduct
themselves in such manner as to in
spire the men with confidence either
in their capacity for leaders or the
success of the attempt at revolution.
Even the engineer of the boat had de
termined to go no further, through
fear that the Creole would swamp
with so great a number of men on
board. All, however, were finally
induced to return, except these ten.
As the Creole went out, some of them
for sport painted a death's-head and
crcss-bones on a neck handkerchief,
and hoisted it on the beach. These
men had very foolishly neglected to
take with them any arms. With a
musket each they might have " taken "
the Island. But they only had one

or two bowie-knives, and the inhabi
tants there all carried a long knife be
neath their shirts. They manifested
decided hostility to the deserters, but
were afraid to attack them, notwith
standing their numbers. The poor
fellows soon began to suffer for hun
ger; nothing could induce the Mexi
cans to offer them the least assistance.
One or two of them did manage to get
a few tortilloas from a woman, for a
few needles which they happened to
have. They went off to one part of
the Island, and kept strict guard every
night, fearing an attack. The peo
ple on their part did the same. The
fact was, they had no leader or unity
among themselves, and therefore did
not know what they could do to get
along, or what was best for them to
do. They remained in that position
for seven days, during which time
they would positively have starved,
had they not been lucky enough to kill
a huge turtle, that was made to do
them, sometimes eating it raw, and
sometimes making soup of it. When
it was exhausted, they resorted to
lizards, berries, and roots. Some of
them wanted to go on the mainland ;
others had concluded to settle down

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.

93

on th,e Island;. mavke "friends with the
inhabitant's, ^an'di. cultivate the soil,
which was- rich and bountiful the year
round. ¦ Before either party had done
anything, >t>h the seventh day a war
vessel of' Yucatan came to Mugeres,
and the officers seeing the piratical
flao- flying onthe beach, took the whole
party prisoners as pirates.
They were taken to the city of
Campeche. On arriving there, they
were compelled to remain twenty days
¦ at Quarantine, on an old hulk an
chored five miles at sea. While
there they were fed on sour oranges
and tortilloas, which were brought to
them daily — enough to make a tolera
ble meal for one man. One day they
discovered a vessel come in displaying
the "star spangled banner." The
poor wretches immediately shouted
with joy, long and loud, and made all
sorts of signals of distress. The
vessel was the U. S. cutter Flirt, but
her officers meanly refused to have
anything to do with them.
On the expiration of the term at
Quarantine, they were taken to Cam
peche. Thousands of the inhabitants
assembled at the mole to gaze upon
the " American Pirates," as they were
called. Inquiring for the American
Consul, they were referred to a Don
Francisco Maggregor. On finding
that individual, he told them that he
had at one time acted as Consul for
the United States, but resigned two
years ago, never having, however, re
ceived any answer to his letter of resig
nation. He could do nothing for them.
But the boys thought he was only try

ing to put them off with this story,
arid pursued him, declaring he must
do something for them. He was the
only manwifhwhom they could talk,
as he spoke English tolerably. Don
Maggregor then had them arrested,
and after being confined a few days in
the guard house, they were brought
before the Alcalde's court. An awful
array of judges, clerks1, and interpre
ters were on hand. They were re
quired to prove themselves American
citizens. Their coats, and extra cloth
ing, had all been seized by the govern
ment as lawful prey, in the pockets of
which they found sundry papers — a
certificate which one had received as
a Police officer in New Orleans, some
of General Lopez's addresses, &c.
These were found, and being considered
"proof positive," by the "periwig-
pated" Alcalde's, the party were set
at large. General Lopez's address
to his army was translated and pub
lished in the paper at Campeche, with
great laudations. I have no doubt the
people there would have treated them
much better had they not been deser
ters from the old General, of whom
they have a high opinion. Campeche
is a beautiful and rich walled city, of
some twenty-five or thirty thousand
inhabitants. After being released, Don Maggre
gor manifested a disposition to help
them a little. He gave them a room
in his castle, which occupies one whole
side of the grand plaza. He also
drew up a subscription paper, which
they carried around, and raised nearly
fifty dollars — mostly from the Senori-

94

HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF

tas, who appeared to pity and sym
pathize with the "poor Americans"
very much. During their stay of
several weeks at Campeche, they grew
very desperate, and became quite the
terror of the city. Whenever any of
them got a little drunk and noisy, they
would frighten the barefooted guards
into fits, and defy the entire police
department, until the Campechians
became about as anxious to get them
away as they were to leave. Two
or three of them sold themselves as
soldiers to go and fight Indians ; others
started on an expedition to Merida,
and but four remained at Campeche.
Three of these at length found an
opportunity of getting to Sisal on a
small vessel. There they found a
gentleman named Walgari, an inter
preter, who befriended them most
generously. On arriving at Sisal,
they took up quarters in an old shed,
where they lay down to rest. While
resting, a villainous jenny came up
and devoured their whole stock of tor
tilloas, which were wrapped in a hand
kerchief. They arose, en masse, and

took signal vengeance on the animal.
These proceedings were observed by
Walgari, who happened to be standing
opposite. He then came forward and
spoke to them in good English, re
marking — "Gentlemen, I see you
have met with a loss." They then
explained to him their situation, and
like a human being fit to be called by
the name of man, Walgari took them
to a restaurant, and paid their board
for several days. He told them he
tvas not rich, but had a father-in-law
who was. There were three American
vessels in port. Three of the wander- -,
ers succeeded in shipping on them for
the United States, the other remained.
The one who has arrived at home took
passage on a bark for Alexandria, via
Havana. At Havana he was arrested
and confined in Moro Castle three
days, but was released after a sort of
trial. He returned perfectly satisfied,
from his own experience and the fate
of the "Contoy Prisoners," that on
all such expeditions the wisest and
safest policy is to follow the flag and
leader.

LORENZO STRATTON,
©®®[&§iSflaik[8iB ass© IPISSlLDSiaSlE,
131 MAIN STREET, CINCINNATI,
HAS RECENTLY PUBLISHED THE SELECT WORKS OF G. P. R. JAMES, EUGENE SUE,
ALEXANDER DUMAS, EMERSON BENNETT, CHARLES LEVER AND BULWER ;
AMONG WHICH MAY BE FOUND :
THE TRAITOR; OR, FATE OF AMBITION,
THE UNKNOWN COUNTESS,
THE HYPOCRITE,
THE BANDITS OF THE OSAGE. By Bennett.
RICHELIEU,MARY OF BURGUNDY,
GENTLEMEN OF THE OLD SCHOOL,
BELLE OF THE COURT,
PHILIP AUGUSTUS. By James.
MADELINE O'MOORE. By Lever.
ZANONI. By Bulwer.
LOUISE DE VILARS,
DUCHESS ALMEDA,
COMMANDER "OF MALTA,
ANNE OF AUSTRIA. By Eugene Sue.
THE RECOLLECTIONS OF ANTHONY THE BRIGAND,
THE FENCING MASTER. By Dumas.
ALSO,
'
Constantly on hand a full supply of BOOKS in every department of
Literature, at wholesale and retail, and can furnish the trade at the
average Eastern cash prices.
LORENZO STRATTON.

i i >.

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