52 Southern Historical Society Papers.
only this, but every other effort on the western continent — yes, in the whole world, to eradicate the last germ of monarchy.*'
While the Creole was getting water at the island of Mugeres, nearly the whole of the Mississippians and Louisianians determined to abandon the expedition. Colonel Wheat's eloquence was again called into requisition, and. assembling the men upon the beach, he addressed them in a brief but stirring speech, which so rekindled their enthusiasm that they unanimously resolved to persevere in their undertaking.
The place of landing on the island of Cuba, as it turned out, was lU-chosen ; and without concert or co-operation with the Cubans, the invaders were unable to hold it. In the night attack upon Cardenas, Colonel Wheat was severely wounded, and when they had returned to the steamer they narrowly escaped capture by the Spanish war- ship Pizarro. The ** Fillibusters," as because of their failure they were now first called, pursued by the Pizarro, found refuge in the harbor of Key West.
Colonel Wheat did not accompany Lopez in his second expedition, having been providentially prevented, very much to his chagrin at the time ; though, as the event showed, most mercifully for himself ; for his strong attachment to Lopez would have made him cling to his friend and share his fate with the gallant Crittenden.
It was a generous sympathy with the oppressed everywhere, and not a mere restless spirit of adventure, which next led Colonel Wheat to join Carravajal in his effort to put down the church party in Mexico, and give that beautiful land our free institutions instead of the effete misrule of a licentious priesthood. And again, when Walker, who had been his classmate at college, was in imminent peril of his life, after his defeat at Rivas, faithful to his friend in ad- versity, he hastened to his relief. It was at Nicaragua that he met with the most wonderful of his numerous escapes from death. By the explosion of the boiler of a steamboat, he was blown from the hurricane deck into the river, but so entirely without injury that he swam to the shore with ease, taking a wounded man with him.
When Alvarez ** pronounced " against Santa Anna and the church party in Mexico, Colonel Wheat accepted a command in the patriot army. As general of the artillery brigade, when Alvarez became President, he received permanent rank and pay under his administra- tion, with official commendation and thanks for his services. When afterwards, by reason of age and its infirmities, Alvarez resigned the presidency and retired to his hacienda, at his earnest solicitation,
