Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-07-18
CUBA.
Execution of Americans.
Account of the Death of Young Wyeth
Letter from the Victim TO his
Mother and Friends.

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Letter from the Victim to his
Mother and Friends.
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| From the New York Times, July Il.
Particulars have just been received
in this city, concerning the tragic
death of Albert Wyeth, the young
American who was summarily shot
by Spanish troops, at Santiago de
Cuba, on the 21st of June. They
were brought here by the Captain
of an American bark, who witnessed
the execution, and who has fur
nished a description Of it to the
friends of the victim. The vessel
arrived at this port from Cuba on
Saturday last, bringing letters and
messages which were intrusted to
the Captain by young Wyeth, for
safe delivery. 1t appears that
young Wyeth left this city for Cuba
in May last, on board the schooner
belonging to some Cubans, who
boarded in the same house with him
in the city, and with whom he was
intimately acquainted. Ofexeitable
temperament, adventurous and full
of courage, he was easily made to
give his support to the expedition
which has had such a disastrous
end. Previous to sailing he took
an affectionate parting with his
parents and immediate personal
friends, telling them he expected to
obtain position on the staff OF
Gen. Cespedes, the insurrectionary
leader, to whom he carried letters
of introduction. After the seizure
of the Grapeshot he was removed to
the military prison at Santiago de
Cuba, where he was kept in contine-
ment for several days. A drum
head court-martial sat at his trial,
which resulted in his conviction.
Subsequently the American Consul
made endeavors to save his
life, but without success. His
sentence was received in his
cell at midnight on the 2lst
of June, and he was then told by
his captors to get ready for execu-
ton. He occupied the short time
which was allowed him in prepara~
ton, in writing letters to his mother
and friend named Eugene Cast
ner, and also to religious devotions
in the presence of two clergymen,
who were permitted to attend him.
At daybreak he was led out to be
shot in company with three others,
two of whom were Americans, the
third being a Mexican. The spec
tacle occurred in an open plaza, 10
sight of the populace of the town,
who manifested the most vindictive
feeling against the unfortunate pris-
oners. All four men were pinioned
with their faces toward a wall, and
were shot through the head from
behind, the firing party consisting
of twenty soldiers, who stood few
PAGES off from the condemned.
There were no blank cartridges used
by the soldiers, who discharged their
rifles at the same time, such having
been the command of the Spanish
officers. A small party of Ameri-
cans witnessed the sad occurrence
but could only vent their indigna-
ton, being powerless to avert the
fate of their countrymen. Wyeth
was formerly connected with the
American Telegraph Company, hav-
ing served in the capacity of oper-
ator in the Philadelphia and New
York Offices. He was highly es-
teemed by a large circle of ac-
quaintances, who deeply regret his
untimely death. Just previous to
his execution he addressed the fol-
lowing letter to one of his former
associates in the telegraph business
in this city.
! SANTIAGO DE CUBA, June 81, 1869.
Eugene Cashier, New York
Dear Eugene: Good bye! l will
be shot at Z o'clock this morning.
It is now 3 A.. NJ. was sentenced
about u o'clock last night. have
Just been baptised in the Catholic
chapel here, and will pass the few
hours of my life that yet remain to
me here with the good priests. Tell
George Diven and Newell, and all
my other friends, of my fate. All
who came on the vessel have been
shot. There are three others who
were with me on the vessel who die
with me. There is no hope what
ever, and be assured you will never
see me again on earth. My love to
Newell and George and all the rest
Please send my trunk and contents
to my mother, Mrs. E. J. Wyeth
Chambersburg, Penn. Goodbye
Be prepared to meet me in heaven
whittier, 1 trust, / am going. You
friend till the last. A. Il.