T H E 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 immortal victories.
Citizens of the great Republic, you are going to give to Cuba that freedom 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 Steuben, 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 admiration 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 independence 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 clutchupon the throat of their prostrate victim. Unarmed, unable to effect the first beginning of organization 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 sympathizing friends, like that which I esteem it now the highest honor of my life to 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 unfurled 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 detested Spanish Government in Cuba will be able to bring against it; the patriotic people of Cuba will rally in joy and exultation to its support; while you leave behind you untold thousands, eager to tread in your glorious track, under the head of one of the most eminent chief of the unparalleled Mexican campaigns, unless indeed we anticipate them by consummating our splendid task before they have time to follow.
Soldiers of the Liberating Expedition of Cuba! Our first act on arrival 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 support, 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 deceived in my confidence that by your discipline, good order, moderation in victory, and sacred respect for all private rights, you will put to shame every insolent calumny of your enemies. 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 gratitude which Cuba will never fail generously to bestow on those to whom she will owe the sacred and immeasurable debt of her LIBERTY.
Excerpt from: “The history and adventures of the 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, of the Kentucky Battalion” pg. 33
Cite: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=yale.39002029495737&seq=39