The New York herald., 1871-12-04
The Queen Of the Antilles Weeps
Over Her Murdered Children.
Reign Of Terror---What Comes
Next?
VALMASEDA'S PROCLAMATION

and which have cast heavy pail of gloom and dts
may over the native foreign and even part OF the
Spanish Inhabitants Of this city, 1t is now the duty
Of your correspondent to chronicle in detail the
events which led to the summary execution yester-
Day afternoon OF eight OF the flower OF Havana's
youths. 1t Is the custom OF the medical students OF
the University, upon the days appointed by their
teachers for that purpose to repair to the public
cemetery OF this city, attached to which is dead
house, where they practise autopsies ana hear lec-
lures from their professors.
1t appears that last Thursday afternoon the class
Of the first year of medicine, comprising some nftv
young men, aged from sixteen to twenty years, be.
longing to the best and most wealthy families Of
this island were at the cemetery. While there they
commenced like students all the world over to sky
lark and cut up pranks, out unfortunately allowed
some OF their party to desecrate the tomb OF Con-
zalo Castahon, jealousy considered BY the Span
iards as martyr to his country for having been
shot, 1t viii be remembered IN January, 1859, by
some Cubans at Key West; also the grave OF Major
Ricardo Guzman was slightly tampered with. He
lost his sword arm In the beginning OF the insurrec.
aion in the famous crossing Of the River Cauto by
Havana cemetery Tho damage done to the graves
OF Casta1on and Guzman consisted in
BREAKING THE GLASS CASES
which covered their inches, pulling down the
wreaths OF immortelles and other decorations OF the
graves The chaplain OF the cemetery endeavored
to demonstrate with them, bu. of no avail The
spirit Of mischief had got into them ana they
thoughtlessly followed up Its promptings 1t was
even said that they insulted the chaplain stoned
him. but this has been denied by creditaple
cemetery 1t is said, for purpose OF desc.
Grafton and Of committing other excesses, too hor
rihe to mention. Many exaggerated rumors were
adoat In regard to their doings and industrousy
circulated among many of the volunteers for the
purpose OF tnnaming their hatred. Your corre-
spondent has it from reliable authority that
THE REAL DAMAGE
done to the graves mentioned consisted In breaking
the glass covering the inches and carrying OF the
wreaths Of immortees and replacing others in
mockery thereof composed OF garlic. They were
all arrested on Friday by guards stationed In the
cemetery for the purpose OF iutercepting them as
they arrived. Unfortunately Sunday afternoon q
grand parade-which had been once before post
poned in obedience to superior orders and which
General valmascda had again ordered to be post
poned-which order was, however, disobeyed by
the Acting Captain General-was held in honor OF
the Acting captain General-the newly appointed
Segundo Cabo General Romualdo Crespo al which,
over ten thousand volunteers passed In review.
Here was the opportunity sought for, and the word
was rapidly passed among them 10 create DIS
turbance. Several companies OF various battalions
upon defHng past the Captain General ad interim
shouted "Death to traitors Death to the studentsp,
the review was over before seven; but during the
remainder OF the evening groups OF excited volun-
teers assembled in nfties and hundreds marching
through the Streets shouting ana yelling like so
many wild beasts
DEATH TO TRAITORS ~
''Kill the studentsr' &C. Thousands assembled In
front OF the Palace and repeated their demands
while the vicinity or the jail In which the students
were confined was PACKED by crowds OF the volun-
teers shouting for their blood. and fears OF gene.
raj attack upon the jail were entertained. The
night was beautiful one. full moon in cloudlcss
sky At haIf-past zen bugles OF the different pat.
talions Of volunteers could he heard all over the
city sounding the call OF general assembly alarm.
ing the inhabitants, who for the greater part
closed their houses and establishments kept
open even on Sundays) the streets were
filled by volunteers, who, In reply to
the call, hurried to and fro; shots were
fired indiscrimnately for the purpose OF trying or
cleaning their muskets. BY midnight nearly twelve
Thousand volunteers were under arms, and the
scenes Of June, 1859, which compelled the abdlca-
,ion OF General Dulce, were repeated, and which
this time answered to their demands in granting
them an instant drumhead court martial.
General Crespo attempted to stave on the matter
at nrst. saying the court martial mad already been
ordered in this case, and they rhe students would
be tried on the morrow. 'Now, now ~ was the
bloody shout, and the Captain General was Obliged
give in TO the rulers OF this unfortunate land The
scenes in and around the Piazza de Armas IN front
OF the Palace, were terrifying. Excited and half.
drunken volunteers shouting, yelling, some stand
ing on pillars harangulng the crowd. others shout
ing and keeping up
FEARFUL EXCITEMENT.
The court martial formed ct the ai By TWO O'CLOCK
and commenced It's session. 1t was composed of six
captains OF the regular army, and one from each
battalion OF volunteers elected by the men, the
whole presided over by colonel The court mar.
tal was In session until two O'Clock yesterday AFTER
noon, but during Its progress General Clavo. at
ABOUT eight O'Clock A. M, attempted to leave the
building but was forced back BY the volunteers who
compelled him to get out Of his carriage ana re.
enter the JAIL declaring that none should leave until
the session was satisfactorily over. The political
governor ana MS secretary were also cooped up IN
the same manner for four hours. In the morning
the Captain General Crespo, issued proclamation
to the volunteers begging them 10 await tho sentence
or the court MARTIAL and natter,ng them by calling
them .
TIE rfRAEsr SUPPORT OF ORDER
ana public tranquility. At about two the council
hud terminated their ollce and marched from the
jail to the Captain Generals palace escorted by