The New York Herald Newspaper, December 29, 1873, Page 2

2 THE CAPTIVES, The Last Chapter of the Virs. ginius Massacre. Arrival of the Juniata with 102 Survivors. THE CAPTURE ON THE HIGH SEAS. The American Flag Hauled Down and Trampled On. The Virginius Plundered by Spanish Soldiers--A Night of Robbery and Debauch. THE MOCK TRIALS. Diabolical Conduct of the Officials—Prisoners Forced at the Point of the Sword to Sign Papers Implicating Their Compan- ions-—-Death Before Dishonor. THE SLAUGHTER. ‘Timely Arrival of the Men-of-War—How the Carnival of Blood Was Stopped— Burriel’s Flight and Fury. DEATH BY SLOW TORTURE IN JAIL. Threats of the Volunteers---Prep- arations for an Attack---An Engagement Imminent. The Prisoners Surrendered — Indigna- tion Meeting Ashore—A Crowning Act of Crueclty—Scenes on Board the Juniata. The Survivors’ History of Themselves. ON BOARD THE U. S. SLOOP-OF-WAR JUNIATA, OFF STATEN ISLAND, Dec. 28, 1873, After a rough and tedious passage the Juniata arrived here this afternoon from Santiago de Cuba, having on board the survivors of the Virginius mas- sacre, in all 102 souls. I have already telegraphed you full details of their surrender to the Com- mander of this vessel by the United States steam despatch boat Pinta, having left the port of Key West on the evening of the 18th inst, But the tragic tale has not yet been haif told; and there | Can be little doubt that, nad the American peopie been placed in possession of all the startling facts relative to the trial and execution of the captives— which, however, the Cuban authorities well man- | aged to distort or conceal—the wicked agents of injustice, inhumanity and craeity would long be- fore this have met with that stern and summary vengeance their crime entails. Furnished from time to time only with meagre scraps of informa- tion concerinng one of the buteberies on record, it can readily be understood how the public mind, partly overlooking the terri- ble cruelties incident to the slaughter of 53 human beings and the barbarous treatment of nearly double as many more, burned with indignation chiefly because of the insult offered to the nationat flag, the main features of the deed having been carefully withheld. Perhaps the affair is at an end; the crime may pass unatoned and the mur- derers may go at large; but no strokea of diplo- macy, however brilliant or ingenious; no conces- sions, however liberal or muntficent; no excuse, however plausible; no contrition on the part of the distracted parent Spain, can wipe out the ever- Jasting stigma which now defiles her degraded and ‘wolfish representatives in the blood-stained island they so well misgovern and pollute. Doubtiess the law of capital punisnment {s to be suspended Bimply because the accused are OFFICIAL CUTTHROATS, yet you will shortly see that a more fiendish or de- liberate murder has not shocked the community for years. Whatever may be tne issue of any pehiding negotiations, the fact remains that, unless some steps be taken to punish the offenders in a manner commensurate with the cutrage perpe- trated, the culprits may go abroad defiant in their villany and a living reproach to the callousness of the American nation, There can be no doubt about this, and ifan example be not made of the prin- cipals, however late in the day, the life of an American in Cuba will henceforth be something frightiul to contemplate. THE DAWN OP TRUTH. It is needless at this stage to dilate apon the various complexities of the case, it being univer- Bally conceded that, whatever the character of the Virginius may have been, her capture on the high ea Was a0 OUtrageous violation of the law, while She subsequent disposition of the captured does hot for & moment admit of discussion. It may, however, be interesting to set forth a true narra- tive of events as they eccurred. Hitherto the accounts pubijshed have been more or less gar- bled, the chief soprces of information having been carefully cut off, so that, between hearsay and speculation, it is hardly possible thata correct statement of the facts ir} connection with the cap- ture of the ill-starred steathor and the subsequent proceedings could have been made known. But the recent release and surrendey of the prisoners to this vessel unveil the mystecy tn which the dramatic story has heretofore been shrouded. In @nother part of this letter the rescued men Speak for themselves without fear, since they are now beyond the clutches ot the oppressors and have little to gain by nls representation. It will be seen that they deny any intention of aiding or abetting the Cuba insurgents or that the Virginius carried arms or ammunition, and they assert, moreover, that they ‘were bound to Port Limon, in the ordinary pursuit of their various vocations, when captured by the Tornado. However ambiguous these statements may appear, taking into account the character that the vessel had previously borne, the fact that over ‘70 of those on board had left New York together in the steamer Atlas, and that the Virginius was heading for the coast 01 Cuba when the chase com- Mmenced—for we cannot overlook the truth in any one particular—it is very elear that, provided with the proper papers, the destination of the steamer and the opject of those on board are altegetber foreign to the question at issuejso long as they kept within THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW. While for reasons of their own they may desire to ‘Withhold some part of the bistorx not directly most appalling | INEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1873—WITH SUPPLEMENT. “bearing upon the issue at stake, the fearful dis- closyres Which they make will, nevertheless, pos- sess asad interest, and be none the less truthiul on that account. Howbeit, 155 souls left Kings- ton, Jam., in the steamer Virginius, on the 23d of October last, bound, according to advertisement, to Port Limon. It seems that the vessel was in & wretched condition, and, after putting out to sea, aprang sleak, Proceeding to Jerremie, a smail Port, for repairs, hig a sguanes a it Wi / at Port-au-Prince and Caymites, the alternoon of the 31st of October, when resuming her voyage, that she sighted a Spanish war vessel, (ana, perceiving that the latter was heading directly towards her, doubtless with the object of capture, changed the course toward Jamaica, and the chase began. From all accounts it was & spiritea one, the Spaniard, however, gaining all the time from two till six o'clock, at which hour the Virginius made HER LAST GRBAT EFFORT, and for an hour or so continued to hold her way. But the game wos up, for the gaping cracks just closed the day preceding now began to open with the strain, and a continuous stream of water poured into the forward hold, Five shots were fired at the disabled craft, the last one grazing the smokestack, and, finding escape unavailing, she hove to. The pursuing vessel proved to be the Spanish gunboat Tornado, The Virginius was promptly boarded by twu ofivers and about 30 men, and when Captain Fry handed over his papers they were crumpled in the hands of the arrogant re- cipient, whose first oficial act was to haul down »the American flag and holst that of Spain in its place. Not the slightest effort at resistance was made, and within the space of 30 minutes all hands, with the exception of Captain Fry, the en- gineers and a few others were securely bound and transferred to the Tornado, And now ensued @ scene whica tends to place the capture .in a somewhat diferent light to that already represented by the oficers of the victorious cratt, “Before leaving the Virginius every person was thoroughly searched and transported to the Tor- nado just as he presented himself, Many were shoeless and hatless; all were bereft of any article that could in the slightest degree contribute to their comfort, The chief engineer of the Tornado, James Mockabee—an American, by the way—super- _ intended the working of the engines of the Virgin- ius, and the two vessels headed for Santiago. HOW THE PLAG WAS HONORED. In order to relieve the monotony of she passage the American flag was spread upon the deck, and occasionally, when the hilarity of the Spanish om- cers began to flag, their men cheerfully came for- ward and both tramped and spat upon it, which operation becoming tedious, they commenced to igut the ship. Trunks and boxes were burst open and rifled, many of them containing ‘large sums of money, and it is said that hard words accompanied the distribution of the spoil. Locks and bolts were wrenched off and the staterooms plundered. Wine lockers were battered down, and to wind up in the most honored style of all good pirates the ruflians ended their midnight labors in a Joyous carouse. From that day to this not a vestige of any of the stolen articles has been seen, nor have they been returned to the rightful claimants, for many of the prisoners afterwards beheld their best clothiug adorn the limbs of the licensed robbers. But this was not all. On arriv- ing at Santiago the following afternoon the larder of the Spanish gunboat was handsomely re- plenished from the Virginius, and, what wita | barrels of beer, liquors and cigars, the officers of the Tornado had all the elements for a first rate mutual admiration gathering. i BLOODHOUNDS ON THE TRACK. As when voracious wolves first cast eager eyes upon their prey and how! in anticipation of a com- ing feast, 80 did the fiends of Santiago, maddened with delignt at the approaching carnival of biood, shout with wild and unrestrained glee. If the de- scriptions given me be at all truthful, Santtago was beside itselfon the night of the Ist of November last, From end to end the city was illumined with brilliant lights, Bands of music marchea to and fro in ‘delirious triumph; friend embraced friend upon the street, almost, it seems, unable to utter the sentiments of his black and treacherous heart, while hireling volunteers were abroad the Hvelong night, bellowing like demons at their | master’s bidding. “We'll soon have plenty of Amer- ican steak” was, I am told, among the inhuman | watchwords of that night of revelry. Woe betide the symathizer! His life was in bis very looks; a word for justice and fair play and he was num- bered among the dead. It was, indeed,a jubilee never to be forgotten. Had Fry and his compan- ions just then been put ashore there would have been little need of the mock trial to legalize, as it were, the {rigutful carnage which ensued, THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. Two courts were constituted, one for the disposi- tion of the crew and the other for those claiming to be passengers on the captured vessel. Of the trial of Ryan, Cespedes, Vel Sol and Varona nothing is known. In vain did they appeal for outside aid. Thrice was American Consul Schmitt browbeaten, insulted and repulsed. Burricl, for whom the vocabulary fails to furnish a qualifying epitnet— Burriel, who approved the deed on his own respon- siblity—was deaf to everything that fair play or bumanity or reason could diccate, and when, on the morning of the 4th of November, the proces- sion marched past tbe Consulate a guard of soldiers was placed in front of it, lest by any chance the interference of the official therein might avail. How the victims met tneir fate I have previously endeavored to describe. But, if the proceedings which marked the trial of the so-called leaders are destined to remain a mystery, we have at least some insight into the manner in which poor Fry and his companions were hurried into eternity. Ali the prisonera were taken simply before this self-constituted Court of Marine, as it was called, and asked simply whether there were any arms or ammunition on board the Virginius. It will be seen by the subjoined statements that nearly all of them replied in the negative. They were then removed to their cella, but subsequently recalled, the question the second time being whether they had anything to say in their detence, In some instances documents were placed before the accused setting forth that the Vir- ginius was a privateer and that she carried im. pigments of war to aid the Cuban insurgents. ‘Thes® ghey were at first requested to sign, LiP® AND LIBERTY AND MONEY being held out as indtcements. A refusal on the part of the prisoners to do Sout O88 Brogsed the ill concealed wrath of the officials, who, findiny’ thelr plans of bribery unavailing, threatened their vic- tims with instant death—the officers, in some in- stances, drawing their swords and pointing them at the accused, Paralyzed with fear and, doubt- less, anticipating @ prompt execution of such threats, some of the terror stricken people actually affixed their names to the papers, though after- wards repenting their action in the bitterest terms, It is hardly to be doubted that, ont of so many, a few persons, under promise of immediate release, supplied such information, whether true or false, that gave some pretext for the slaughter which ensued. Yet it is unmistakably plain that it was the original intention of the officials to spare not a single life, and had it not been for A MOST FORTUITOUS CIRCUMSTANCE it is more than probable that few, if any, of the pris. oners would now be alive to tell the tale. It seems that Captain Fry ana 36 of his companions were condemned to be snot on the $th of November. In- telligence reached Santiago, however, that the British war vessel Niobe would leave Kingston, dam.,on the 6th, and if so would arrive at the fotmer port on the following day. Conscious of their »Ullt, thongh not yet satiated with the blood of eit victims, the authorities well knew that their’brutal carnival must come to a sudden end upon théwr."ival of the English steamer—16 of the victims clauney English citizenship—and so the day of execution waeghanged until the 7th, when the 37 souls herticaily met their fate at the Slaughter Hous Forty-two persons were still on the list of the\pofugmned, and the Niobe not arriving on the morning o, ‘he 8th, as was expected, 12 of that number were ma"ched to the scene of death, it doubtless being the ,2ten- tion of the murderers to finish the remainder to case the vessel did not putin aD appearance. At noon of that day, however, she anchored in the harbor, and the stream of blood ceased to flow. ‘The fury of Burricl and bis confederates cannot be described at being thus suddenly robbed of their prey, and, in response to the protests made by the Commander of the Niobe, and subsequently by Commander Cushing, of the Wyoming—tne tele- gram to the latter, when at Aspinwall, from the American Consul having been purposely detained by the authorities at Santiago—vented his rage in arrogant epistles by way of justification for bis crime. {8 FLU f Meanwhile, the erican wation had become thoroughly aroused, and, for the first time, the guilty wretches began in some measure to com- prehend the enormity of their crime, as well as to foresee the effects of the portentous storm lower, ing over their heads, Burriel aed to Havana—for what purpose it can readily be surmised—nor did he venture to return until the forbearing hand of diplomacy had commenced its work of pacification. When the sloop-oi-war Juniata arrived, matters were in an exceedingly complicated state, All the surronndings indicated war—sudden and de- ciatve—aithougn the proposed chastisement of the miscreants should scarcely be dignified by that name. Communication by telegraph was entirely cut off, and to some extent we were at the mercy of the people whom we believed tt our bounden doty to punish. The absence of ali information as to the actual situa- tion of affairs was felt severely, and the mysterious operations of our supposed enemy— such a8 strengthening the forts all around the harbor, the drilling of large bodtes of soldiers both day and night—led us to believe that the moment for action was close at hand. On our ar- rival Commander Braine, accompanied by Vice Consul Schmitt, Commander Cusbing, Lieutenants De Long, Chipp, Hutchings and your correspond- ceived by the Acttng Governor, General Morales de los Rios, with whom A VERY FORMAL INTERVIEW was held lasting over an hour. I have already for- warded you the substance of what took place on that occasion—of the request of Commander Braine to deliver to him the survivors and the refusa) thereto; of the solemn promise made to him that in the event of any further executions he should be notified beforehand; also of our subsequent visit to the prisoners, or those of them claiming to be American citizens. T have endeavored to acquaint you of the deplora- ble condition in which we found them and of the assurance and broken pledge of the Governor to mitigate, if possible, the horrors ot their situation by a proper supply of clothes—for the poor fellows were in rags—and improve the quality of their food, of which they bitterly complained. But in all imtercourse with the Santiago offictals their de- portment was marked by 6 certain amount of arro- gance and suspicion that betokened anything but @ peaceful solution of the grave question at issue. Add to this the utmost reticence on the part of the authorities as to any negotiations, and our disa- greeable position can, perhaps, be the better ap- preciated, The bearing of the volunteers, more- over, was that of deflance, and their avowed de- termination never to surrender the remainder of the prisoners tended to confirm the impression that hostilities were imminent. American oifl- cers, while not treated with any outward tokens of impoliteness—for their advent at Santiago proved a source of sterling benefit to many an im- poverished shopkeeper—there was, nevertheless, an amount of respectful coolness displayed towards them plainly indicative of unfriendliness. True, the city was full of Cuban sympathizers, but their fears restrained them from expressing any opinion on the situation, There were SPIES IN ALL DIRECTIONS, Nothing escaped the vigilance or the city officials, and the visit of our commanding officer ashore gave rise to the most conflicting rumors. Mean- while the men-ofwar in the harbor had tn- creased to the number of six—three American, two British and one French—each having more or less an interest in the fate of the people in prison 80 that, for the time, little apprehension was enter: tained as to the result of any inimical movement that might be made, The crew of the Juniata were drilled night and day, and the same watch- fulness that would mark the discipline of a | well regulated vessel in war times was strictly maintained. Every day brought its quota of news. Now the volunteers were to attack us in a body, and, if possivie, capture our vessel. Again, it was Tumored that torpedoes were sunk all over the harbor, and all hopes of exit were cut off. But so Dumerous and conflicting did these reports be- come that, while we did not relax our vigilance, they Onally gained little or no credence whatever. ANOTHER CARNIVAL IN PROSPECT. At length came the startling announcement that another batch of victims had been selected to fol- low in the wake oftheir dead companions, and what seemed to confirm the impression was the fact that ail the prisoners save these confined to the hospital were secretly removed to the Morro Castle, a dis- tance Irom the prison of some six or seven miles, Imagine our consternation when, on the morning of the 4th of December, news reached us from the American Consulate that on the midnight pre- ceding the prisoners—03 in number—had been taketl from the castle, placed on the gunboat | Bazan and transported to Havana. And now, to ail appearances, their doom was sealed forever; tor, among other things, it was unhesitatingly as- serted that the volunteers were loudly clamoring for their blood. Of their memorable trip to Cien- fuegos, the grounding of the gunboat near that | place and their transfer to the mail steamer bound ror Santiago—despatches had arrived to take them back; of the sufferings which they underwent I leave to the prisoners to describe. It seems im- possible tha: human nature could become so tar degraded as to descend to such revolting means to maltreat their fellows as were practised by the cowardly officials in charge, as well as by the off- cersof the steamer. Nothing that HATRED AND HARD-HEARTEDNESS could suggest was left untried to complete the horrors of the situation, and when the dying peopie, now almost courting death, were tanded at the wharf they were scarcely avie to crawl back to their loathsome dens in jail. No sooner had Com- mander Braine learned of the removal of the pris- oners than he torthwith proceeded to the palace in no even frame of mind, and the Acting Governor was led to understand that the secref and illicit manner in which the unfortunate victims had been | taken away was a violation of the pledge already given and an explanation was promptly demanded. With characteristic suavity and evasivencss the Acting Goverhor blandly stated that the prisoners had been removed to the Morro Castle simply for want of accommodation in the jail, that sanitary measures alone demanded the change and that the order fo? their transportation to Havana had _ been only a few hours before their transfer to the gun- boat Bazan. The amount of veracity to be at- tached to this statement will be appreciated when itis known that the forgetfal General never re- ceived any order at all. But the Spaniards are an imaginative people and mistakes are sometimes likely to occur, When the brave General leaves this wicked world I am afraid the fountain of the good recording angel would be dried up in the ef- fort to blot out his slight transgressions. The angel, however, may not try to shed a single tear, IN THE WosPITAL, Accompanied by about a score of hawk-eyed of- ficlals we visited the hospital where were confined on wretched pallets nine of the prisoners captured on the Virginins, suffering from various diseases, chiefly the result. of privation and consequent de- } bility. Strong guards were placed about the doors, though that seemed a needless precaution, since it is very questionable whether one of the victims could have walked the lengtn of the toom. Nor were we allowed to question them at all, As on the occasion of our previous visit to the other prisoners, skulking officials were in attend- ance, whose intimidating looks warned the unfor. tunates to beware. It was, therefore, an impossl- Dility to learn anything of a definite character, though, by the way, I contrived in a somewhat hurried interview with both Meitzter and Gratz to gican some facts relative to the capture of the Vir- Ginius which, up te that time, were unknown to the ontside world. None of them, however, con- 'Qoaled the fact that death.was welcome to them, atic, Indeed,. in some case& jt seemed as if th dread@d yisltor-wore kindly coming to their relief, But cheerfu'yrords wore whimered to them and Havapa and the lauier pt Eonzeise, Que tome | siun the omotals wo nad iourmen tous eospinioue ot | Ni [aay the assed toxos steuuer wyoming Ww Signed | ¢hoti, 66 that now, 1» case any ruse were Tnsenued, p od ent, proceeded to the palace, where we were re- j récétved by him: their fast-ebbing hopes of freedom began to return. What with the few luxuries supplied them by the Commander of the Juntata the condition of the tn- Wednesday afternoon came the announcement that on the following morning, the 18th inst., at six A. M., the surviving prisoners would be sur- valids was considerably ameliorated and the suf | pondored from the Morro Castle, and, to facilitate ferers bado us adieu with grateful hearts, A PAINFUL SITUATION. matters, Commander Braine was requested to an- chor the Juniata in the vicinity of the fort. De- Meanwhilo the British men-of-war Niobe and | spite all this seeming acquiescence we were pre- Woodiark had left the harbor, the former for pared for every surprise. From all our de: Sica, oO anchor and sailed for Key West. So that when | we would not have been taken aback. At four the French vessel took her departure a few days afterwards there remained at Santiago only the Kansas and Juniata, Nor should I forget to men- o'clock on the afternoon of the 17th the Juniata weighed anchor and steamed slowly to the place designated, all the necessary preparations having tion that throughout the entire proceedings, | peen made for the reception of the prisoners. The throughout the several interviews at the palace, the preparations for assault and defence, through- out the live long sultry days and often sleepless nights, and the hostile movements of the volun- teers, whose threats and scornful utterances were hourly made known to us, we were kept in total darkness as ¢o the turn affairs had taken, For all we knew about the situation we might just as well have been in China. Little did we dream, while ready at a moment's utmost vigilance was kept up the entire night, for the city was mil of rumors to the effect that the volunteers intended to storm the Morro Castle on their own account, seize tne victims and slaughter them in cold blood. Howbelt, we patiently awaited dawn. THE SURRENDER. The quarter deck of the Juniata, usually remark- able for its trim appearance—romarkable, too, at ail times for the absence of everything that does notice, to engage the enemy—and there was good | not by rule and regulation belong to it—presented reason to be on the alert—that negotiations were then pending whereby the problem might be peace- fully solved. In vain had tidings been awaited. Mail after mai) arrived from Havana, and still not aword for us. Leit thus to our own resources \and these were timited enough) there was noth- ing for it but patience. The gossipers of the town were busy, and it would seem that all our antici- pations of an engagement were about to be ful- filled. Hundreds of men—some of them soldiers, on this occasion a spectacle which might well pro- voke the ire of a naval disciplinarian, were he un- famiuar with the cause. Not on the brightest mar- ket day of the brightest town in Christendom could | & More wonderful assortment of things in general have been spread out to charm the gaze of the rustic passer-by. Here on the very place where the agile mariners not 12 hours before had practised all the arts o! naval warlare—here, displayed in tempt- ing form, were most of the elements that go to make most of them trom the chaingang—were employed | life happy, and if not costly, or shaped to please in all directions throwing up breastworks and the frolics of @ fickle dame called Fashion, they mounting guns. The Morro Castle, and in its | were none the less suggestive of comfort and con- close vicinity the Estrella fort, commanding the entrance to the harbor, were strength- ened, tentment. In other words, the stores of the Juniata had been thrown open at daylight, and when the and indeed every prominent point | sun threw his genial rays on the port side of the near the city was strongly fortified, for what they | hospitable craft there loomed up in bold array huge lacked in the calibre of the guns they tried to | piles of clothing, rows of glistening pans and make up in quantity. These preparations, how- ever, concerned us little, well knowing the ability of our available force to meet the emergency; Tather was it the state of doubt and anxiety in | vied with the which we were held that caused the tormenting uneasiness to which we had now become a prey. Hard, indeed, was it to bear the sneers of the ragged rogues ashore, whose audacity and conceit spoons, henceforth destined to do signal service in the work of recuperation; bundles of hosiery, baskets of shoes, handkerchiefs whose colors rainbow in point of va- riety, stacks of towels, scores of the whitest hammocks, the handiwork of the Juniata’s men the day before. Ranged in the vicinity of the port gangway was a friendly battalion of were equalled only by their ignorance and ras- | dumpy little water buckets, each mounted with a cality. THE VOLUNTEERS. It was well known that the volunteers not only gloried in the foul deed that stained their city, but were determined at all hazards to complete their infamy by the butchery of the remaining prison- ers, And thus the situation ountinued for days. Worrled with fruitless expectation and ha- rassed by all the rumors the occasion could suggest, we lay at anchor in frunt of the city, not knowing the moment that the welcome toscin of alarm would ring forth and afford an op- portunity forthat speedy punishment which the braggart volunteers had so long courted in vain. In view of the entire surroundings I cannot help thinking that the amount of forbearance, coolness and judgment displayed by the commanding officer of the Joniata contributed largely to the final satis‘actory issue of events, for it will be seen that, backed by that banefal institution, the Casino Espafiol, the more bloodthirsty portion of the in- habitants indignantly rebelled against any pro- posed surrender of the prisoners. Indeed, their demonstrations assumed the most threatening pro- Portions, so that under the circumstances nota little caution was required. It must be borne in mind that no state of warfare ex- isted and that any overt act on the part of the American men-of-war would only tend to increase the complications, however great the provocation. But if ever an enemy was spoiling for a thorough whipping it was assuredly the volunteers of Santiago. They held out the most tempting inducements, and it is matter for- ever to be deplored that the ragged warriors were not treated to their deserts. THE AMERICAN CONSUL. The arrival of Mr. A. N. Young, the American Consul, who had left Santiago on leave some time before the capture of the Virginius, -served to re- store a feeling of confidence among the American residents, and the energetic manner in which he co-operated with Commander Braine, the prompt and trustworthy methods he adopted to carry out whatever might tend to serve the interests of the government in a situation the most perplexing, are entitled to creditable recog- nition. If pluck, tact, and discrimination have anything todo towards making our representa- tives efficient, Mr. Young possesses these qualifi- cations in an eminent degree. At all events, he taught some of his neighbors a wholesome lesson; for, when some Spanish officers became indignant because he hoisted the American flag on the hotel where he resided as a signal to the Juniata in the harbor, they sneaked off quite complacently on being informed of the immediate fate of the first man who dared to haul it down, Mr. Young is now the senior Consul on the island, and his promotion to the office of Vice Consul General of Cuba is very opportane, though it was rumored that one of the consular clerks nad been recommended to the po- sition. It is hardly possible, however, that the claims of Mr. Young will be wilfally overlooked. SHADOWS OF COMING EVENTS, I now come to an eventful part of this narrative. Burriel had returned from Havana in the very steamer to which the shipwrecked yet securely bound prisoners had been transferred at Cientue- gos, where the gunboat Bazan had run ashore. The reappearance of this master cutthroat at San- tiago augured for the worse, for his temperament and proclivities were too well known to hope for mercy at his hands. His return infused a new spirit into tbe minions that surrounded him, and, with beating hearts, they only awaited his nod to end the tragedy with a carnage more horrible than any preceding it. It was for usa time of mental anxiety, now fast becoming unendurable. At length, after days of waiting and uneasiness, the news arrived that negotiations had been concluded between the United States and Spain, whereby the captured steamer and the surviving prisoners were to be delivered up. This was virtually all, and if must say im all candor the announcement caused a general disappointment, for it was earnestly hoped that a wholesome lesson would have been administered to those Jyhgse wanton barbarity had called forth the ex- ecratioh® os the civilized world. Immediately upon receipt “OF faforation from Consul General Hall at Havana, Consut Vothe prowegd to the Juniata and informed Commander brane ot “the proposed settlement of the question atissue. A letter was at once despatched to Burriei request- ing to know officially if such @ state of facts ex- isted, and that, in the event of any arrangement having been arrived at, the sloop of war Juniata was prepared to receive the prisoners at the earliest opportunity. But Burriel was sick—at least so said the answer sent by his alde-de-camp; and Commander Braine was further tnformed in the same epistile that on Tuesday, the 16th day of December, a conference would be held, whereat the means, time and place of the surrender would be determined upon. This was welcome news, elicitea from the reluctant and reticent officials, for it was evidently their intention to thrust the prisoners upon us without heed or warning. Bur- riel’s malady was soon explained, When it be- came known inthe city that the prisoners, who had already been sent to the Morro Castile, were to be delivered, the lury of the volunteers became unbounded. An indignation meeting waa held, and all the city turned out In wrathfal mood to protest against the movement, in vain was Bur- riel appealed to, entreated, implored to hold on to his prey: Much as he might have wished it, the flat had gone forth from Havana to surrender the living. monuments of his cruelty. It was not surprisingathen, to know that Burriel was indis- posed, But the clamorous and persistent demand of the voluntea’s at length so incensed bim—well knowing that Ins neck was in danger should he fail to comply with the peremptory order’ he had received from athe capital—that he became Positively ferocious, ax\d prowling within the four wails of the palace like x oamed hyena, swore he would carry ont the order even If the volunteers should trample over his bo.'Y in its execution. Crestfalien and disappointed, th,#¢ inhuman men- dicanta withdrew to their home’, and, for that night, Santiago was buried in giom. Late on stalwart block of soap, the peaceful preserver of rich ana poor. A!l these things and a great many more, which neither time nor recollection will allow me to describe, appeared in view somewhere about the time our visitors were expected. THR FIRST SIGHT, Now, it should be borne in mind that our confl- dence in the statements of the Santiago oficials was just about as great as the pleasure expressed by the veteran sportsman who preferred first the Benjamin Olazabal, Ramon José Madeo, Ignacio Valaes, Francis Gonzalea, Louis Morajon, Joseph Palaes, José Sanueat Leonardo Alvarez, Francisco Pacheco, Julio Arrango, Evarista Sunsunegin, José Hernandez, Bamos Gonzales, Nicholas Ramired, Antonio Chacou, Ignacio 0, Beltran, Suenio Otaro, 7 ‘onto Paaittos, { mtpleolo ‘Trugillo, verio Sales, we Rafael Pacheco, Magi ers, * Camito Guerra, dive, Camito Sana, Patricio Martinez, Leon Bernal, Manuel Saumell, Gil Monteo, waingo Rodrigaes, Rafael Cabrera, nis Ribalt, mado Rosillo, ‘los Maun, Manuel A. Silveira, Carlos Gonzalez, Santiago Rivera, José Rudesivdo, Antonio Gomez, Total, 71. in all 102 persons. THE TRANSFORMATION, The foregoing were ranged in three rows on the starnoard side of the quarterdeok, and, the list having been found to be correct, the police officer took his leave, and, descending into his rowboat, started on a fishing excursion for the cast-away pans and ragged apparel, which in the reckless ex- travagance of the prisoners had beon thrown to the winds, Ana now the joy of the survivors could hardly be restrained, but the strictest order was nevertheless preserved. Transferred to the ex- perienced hands of Surgeon Walton, every one of them underwent a thorough examination. Of the entire number abont 12 were found to be subjects for the hospital, dysentery being the principal ail” ment from which they suffered. The others, armed with a bucket of water, towel and soap, proceeded cheerfully to the forward part of the ship, where they gave themselves @ wholesome scrubbing. The services of the active barber were subsequently brought into requisition, and in the space of an hour performed some remarkable tonsorial feats. True, some of the more aristocratic of the patriots were inclined to offer objections to the spoliation of their roman- tic curls, but the surgeon, who evidently looks at life from @ common sense point of view, and doubt- less reasons on the principle that prevention ts better than cure, had made up his mind tbat no passengers Other than those set forth on the list should participate in the hospitalities of the ship. Whatever acquaintances, therefore, the survivors had contracted while in jall aad other places, he was determined shoald remain behind. The rags of which the people divested themselves were thrown overboard, and, I have no doubt, found their way back to the Morro Castle, for they seemed to be iuil of life and buoyancy. Paymaster Thompson and @ score of assistants now commenced to discharge their hospitable fonctions, and in almost less time than ittakes to tell it the people were clothed from hare before he gave his opinion of the soup; so |thead to foot and furnished with a wardrobe from that the non-appearanee of the prisoners on that memorable morning would not have created much surprise. Like so many Thomases we crowded on the poop deck, and were soon convinced by ocular demonstration. There could be no mistaking the huge launch that now for the first time appeared in view—hituerto hid- den by a curve facing the fort. “They are coming,” passed fore and aft like wildfire, and over a mile away there hove in sight a tiny row-bont, dragging in its wake an indescribable mass. It might have been a coal barge laden to the water's edge, but Tather like, On Mearer approach, & heavily freighted scow consigned to a ragpicker. A look through the telescope, however, and all apprehen- sions were removed—we knew the prisoners were at hand. Never did oarsmen seem so tedious. How long must it have seemed to the poor fellows in the launch, who, packed so tightly together, had little trouble in embracing each other with joy, providing they felt so disposed. Leaving them to make the best of their way to the ship, we will take a final look at the Morro Castle, to which thar morning they bade goodby forever. THB CROWNING ACT OF CRUELTY. It is a quaint old structure (the Morro) and has many a canny nook and corner, many a dark dun- geon and many a stony-hearted knave to guard its portals. Of its loathsome horrors the survivors speak in unmeasured terms, and they have reason to know what terrible punishments can be dis- pensed within its walls. At all events their last night there wasan eventful one. Far from antici- pating any relief the poor fellows had long since resigned themselves to fate,come what might. But ofall the cruelties practised on the hapless lot, none appears so heartless and revolting as the last and final effort of their skilful persecutors, While most of the prisoners were asleep in their filthy den—all were huddled together im one room that reeked with abomination—their rest- less slumbers were disturbed and through the iron grating of the door were heard in harst and movk- ing tones the words, “Prepare, for to-morrow you die!” Alas! this was no news. Many and many a time had they been similarly warned of approach- ing death, so that this fresh announcement failed of its terrors, and doubtless not a few wished for relief in eternal repose. No cheering word of comfort was imparted to them; in its stead a cold and malicious taunt, most wicked in its design. At five o’clock on the morning of the 1sth they were again aroused and ordered to depart—to what place they knew not. What must have been their surprise, however, when their shackles were removed and some one more considerate than the rest informed them of their freedom! They then marched down to the water's edge (many of them were only able to crawl), and stepping on board the lumbering launch were taken in tow by the rowboat. THE RECEPTION. And now, as t he launch approached the Juniata, the forms and features of its joyous occupants be- gan to be distinguishable. Clad in the vilest rags— anda niggardly supply of these was apparent— the people looked towards the vessel with wonder. ment and delight, and when wittin 50 yards of the gangway gave three cheers as best they could, for hunger and privation are not apt to improve the Inngs. Once alongside their joy was almost uncon- trollable. Stepping briskly out of the rowboat a sour visaged man, with @ hooked nose, appeared at the gangway and, saluting Commander Braine, said he was the pep Chief of Police, and, handing him a list of priso ne filnned with complaisance. It seems that the Chief of Police pad been | e Herson; | ggvere punishment in case they aiftded to any- ini beari ordered to deliver the prisoner i but, strongly participating in the gen- eral feeling of indignation, that elegant functionary had deputized his subordinate to ‘perform. the humiliating task. But he aid not fare as well 9am! been expected for his patriotic turn of mind, tr Burricl, who is now all anxiety to do the bidding of the Captain General, placed the disobedient policeman uilder arrest, and it is to be hoped that in the solitary confinenient of his lonely cell he will be enabled tochew the cud of disap- pointment and ponder on the instability ef human affairs. Many of the prisoners had been styplied with rather questionable culinary implements, and on receiving an intimation that they would not be allowed on board for various reasons, were cast into the sea, Lieutenant De Long than called the list, and each individual, answering to his name, came up the gangway, radiant with smiles. i THE List was as follows: Amertoans. Simon Gratz, Hata Tapia, Charles A, Knight, Henry Canals, Henry Knight, Heory AYO, William Wiison, Arthar Rivera, Edward Scott, Ramon Arenas, Alfred Parker, Manuel Menassea, Ricardo Tragiilo, Phillip Meiizier, Edward Oalvo, Leopold Itizo, Emilio Garcia, Total, 17. tah, Thomas Lindsay, William Cartts, Henry King, Samuel Hale, Sidney R. Atcheson, George fey) Wuliam Marshall, Evan Pinto, Charies de Brosse, William Danton, John Pothermont, 4, de Esperitu santo, Ramon Pardos, George Burke. Total, 14. igners. Jonn Freeman, Andrew Echeverria, Nicholas Cardozo, José re Philtp Marti, tis Martinez, Anvonio Constantine, omingo Salazar, error Mantel Paara Herrero, 'y 4 ezsodes Ketrada, Joseph Lamas, ‘clix Fernando@ Andrew Villa, Juan Soto, Andrew Acostl, Manuel Peres, Francis (ostella. dead Vamen. which no necessary article was excluded. Such a complete transformation it has never been my lot to witness. I question, indeed, the power of the fairy’s wand in the temporary possession of Mr. Fox to execute anything so handsomely even in the brightest days of “Humpty Dumpty.” Out of five score forlorn human beings were turned out, ready made, & ship’s crew of frolicsome tars, who, without much ado, proceeded to give a “hitch to their trousers” with all the rollicking flourish of rakish men-of-warsmen, But it ishard to laugh on an empty stomach—indeed, a smile under such circumstances is generally hollow, and, if I am informed correctly, it is not until after his pros- pective victim had dined heartily thet the chronic borrower pounces on his mellow prey. Be that as it may, the rosy-faced cooks, chubby fel- lows, who looked like good nature itself, came trooping aft, not groaning with the weight of luxuries, but displaying large blocks of benevo- lence in the shape of a substantial breakfast. If to see others enjoy themselves, knowing that you have contributed to tne occasion, be any attribute of human happiness, then I believe the cooks of the -Juniata must have been the jolliest fellows alive. Thus placed ona solid footing the survivors—and they now looked asif they meant to survive for some time to come—were called together by Lieu- tenant De Long and kindly informed of some rules and regulations which the discipline of the ship re- quired should be observed, and having been as- signed to their various quarters, the reception came to @ close. I may add that the British war vessel Niobe, from Havana, arrived in time to wit ness the surrender. A WELCOME VISITOR. Scarcely had the people been comfortably dis- posed of when there came steaming into the har- bor the United States steamer Pinta, Lieutenant Commander Garringe, with official despatches from Key West, among them an order for the re- turn of the Juniata to New York with her living freight. This was @ joyful announcement, the more so as there was nothing now to detain us. We had had enough of Santiago; enough anxiety, enough of preparation, plenty of provocation, but hardly sufficient satisfaction. some famous agri- culturist, whose name has not been transmitted to the present generation, informs us that the actual possession of a feathered songster 1s more highly prized by the human species than two or more timid warblers tn a distant grove. There is some truth in this, and, much as we might relish the prospect of caging Messicurs Surrie) and Company a8 ornithological specimens for future scientific discussion, we were, nevertheless, gratified, though for different reasons, at having on board so many of the victims of human cruelty and hardheartedness, I need scarcely add that little time was lost tn completing all the arrange ments for an immediate departure. At five o'clock on the afternoon of the 18th the Juniata weighed anchor, leaving the United States steamship Kan- gas to answer the salute to the American flag on Christmas Day, and when at length she had put out to sea no happier crew or passengers ever left @ port. THE SURVIVORS’ HISTORY OF THEMSELVES. Ihave previously made reference to the jealous care with which the prisoners were watched on the occasion of our several visita to the jail and to the hospital, lest perchance the mystery of the capture, trial and condemnation of the victims might, in an unguarded moment, be unravelled. I have also ob- served that they were not only cautioned against giving any information, but threatened with zn tho subject. But théy pre now beyond the regch of tyrants, and the follows startling disclosures 1508 Q) the Junta! on the passage home will, thereof, be yond wish unusual interest, since tt ts the first time a true history of the affair bas appeared, the lips of th victims having heretofore been sealed. Whether or not the people on the Virginius were bound on an illicit expedition at the time of the capture is hardly pertinent to the question. In reply to the interrogatories of Commander Braine, they disa- vowed all hostile intentions to Spain. But, how- ever their veracity may be questioned on that ground—for the surroundings of the case cannot be divested of @ certain amount of suspicion—the ati@nge developments made in other respects, the manner of insult to the American fing, tho robberies on the Virginius, the harrowing detatis of the wanton cruelty practised upon the helpless, victims, the bigh-hanJed outrages committed long after the capture, the depths of suffering into which the survivors were heedlesaly plunged, form @ chapter which, in point of variety of inct- dent, exceeds the liveliest picture that the imagi- nation has yet conjured up in connection with the gad event. THE STATEMENT OF SIMON GRATZ, ‘This was one of the prisoners sent from prison to the hospital at Santiago, and, under the name of Samuel Gray, was among the number condemned to be shot, He sald he resided, when at home, at Harrisburg, Pa., and was ® carpenter by trade, On the ath of October last he left New York in the steamer Atlas, bound for Kingston, Jam., where he arrived ten days later. He embarked on the 238d of the same month in the steamer Virginius for Port Limon, for which place she was advortised to sail, carrying freight and passengers. ‘The vessel after putting out to sea sprung, aleak, bringing all hauds to the pumps, and it was deemed prudent to put into Jerremie for repairs; but, finding no facilittes’ at that place, she pro- ceeded to Port-au-Prince, The Virginius was partly repaired there. but on agaia resumine tne I i seme aaa eariaeaceaiammaeataealeeeaec a an a eaamcmeceaiaca a c a aeta enreetee