We told you in a recent number about the unsuccessful result of the
attempt to land an expedition in Cuba; this result was largely due, no
doubt, to the fact that the Spaniards were advised in advance, through
Spanish spies in this country, of the intended departure of the
expedition. On May 31st, the steamer _Florida_ returned to Key West,
after having successfully landed an important expedition on the island.
This time they succeeded in taking their departure without it being
known to any one. The expedition, consisting of about four hundred men,
with a pack-train and a large quantity of arms and ammunition, sailed
for Guantanamo on the night of May 21st. The expedition was under
command of Colonel Lacret, with whom was Captain J. A. Dorst, of the
United States army. The men were equipped with canvas uniforms furnished
by the Government, and had rations sufficient for fifteen days after
landing; the pack-train consisted of seventy-five mules and twenty-five
horses; the expedition landed on the coast of Cuba, Thursday morning,
May 26th. The _Florida_, escorted by the gunboat _Osceola_, drew up
close to the shore, and first landed scouts to ascertain if all was
clear; these scouts were met by a band of 1,500 insurgents, under
Captains Vereira and Rojas. There was absolutely no interruption to the
unloading of the _Florida_, as no sign of a Spaniard was seen. This is
the largest expedition which has ever been landed in Cuba in aid of the
insurgents.

* * * * *

There is a very interesting account of the origin of the Red Cross
Society in _The Churchman_. About forty years ago, M. Henry Dimont, a
native of Switzerland, having witnessed the unnecessary suffering of the
wounded, from lack of care, at the battle of Solferino, was so much
impressed that he published a book, pointing out the necessity of