The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-12-01
The Capture of the ylrTiulus.
omsial Report of the Capture by the
Commander Of the Tornado,

omsial Report of the Capture by the
Commander OF the Tornado,
Costilla, the COMMANDER OF the Tor
nado, has made the following report
OF the chase, capture and boarding OF
the Virginius to the naval authorities at
Havana, It is dated from Santiago de
Cuba:-
In conformity with orders received
by me, as commander OF the corvette
Tornado, to carefully watch the coast
between Cape Cruz and Santiago de
Cuba, I left the latter port on the 29th
OF October. On that night l crIlised in
close proximity to the land between the
points indicated, being led to believe
BY certain calculations that, whatever
might be tho manmuvres OF the Virgin.
ius during the night, it was evident that
during the day she must lie well OF,
partly to avoid being seen and partly to
reserve her resources until the proper
moment for landing should arrive. Dur.
ing the night OF the 30th inst. We con.
tinued our cruise without Incl.
dent, and had started on new
course OF daybreak, the next
morning, when the man on the lookout
reported seeing the smoke Of q steamer,
proceeding in the direction Of Jamaica,
With the view Of asccrtaining what she
was, and at the same time to save as
much fuel as possible, We followed her,
hugging the coast for about IS miles,
when she changed her course to south.
east by south.
From the first moment that we saw
her there was great activity on board,
the whole Of the steam power from all
the boilers being brought into requisi.
ton, and at about hali.past two O'Clock
in the afternoon we commenced to give
chase.
The position and course Of the YES
sci principally, il for not other reasons,
led me to believe that this craft was
none other than the fllibuster Vir.
ginius, for / imagined that she was pro.
ceeding from Jamaica to Cuba when We
saw her, but failing, under the circum.
stances, to land on the island Of Cuba,
she had turned about again for Jamaica.
These suspicious werecondrmed by her
sudden change Of course and the ovi-
dent activity on board TO make all the
speed possible, as flames could be seen
emanaiing with the smoke from her
tunnels. In addition to this We now
saw, by the light Of the moon, when
she changed her tack, her two smoke
stacks and paddle-boxcs. ! instructed
the engineer to carry on all steam pos.
sible and drive our vessel through the
water rs quickly rs he could. Owing to
the darkness, We thought she was about
1--WE miles ahead, md hoped TO overhaul
her before she made Point Movante.
At hhlf.past nine, while in her i'm.
mediate neighborhood, We fired five
shots, and shortly afterwards sent out
two boats, under the command OF Don
Enrique Pardo and Don Angel Ortiz,
with orders to take possession Of the
Yirginius in the name Of the Spanish
nation. The report Of these officers has
already been made, and / content my.
self with informing you that, at eleven
O'Clock at night, the Virginius, flying
the Spanish flag, was headed towards
Cnba, having on board o prize crew,
after we had removed the bulk Of the
prisoners on board our vessel.
The cargo OF arms and war munition
was thrown overheard during the chase,
but the empty cases fell into our pos.
session, including cartridges and other
articles, which are included in the in.
ventory which l have already handed
in to the authorities.
The enthusiasm OF the crew simply
battles description, when success crown.
ed our efforts. The prisoners were
treated with such consideration rs theft
character deserved and the necessity Of
their safe keeping demanded. The
Yirginius, under our convoy, reached
Santiago de Cuba on November /, Of
FIVE o'clock in the evening, when our
arrival was made the signal Of q genuine
outburst Of patriotic enthusiasm.
The importance OF this expedition,
when the number and rank OF the pris'
oners aro considered, cannot be over,
rated. In addition TO the severe lesson
that we have given to the enemies Of
Spain, the capture has made the in.
habitants Of Santiago delirious with
enthusiasm. l make no reference Ia
the conduct Of our men, but will simply
say that their conduct, from the highest
to the lowest, is worthy Of all praise,
and when l say that the men were
spaniardS, working for Spanish inter.
ests, you will understand all. Upon my
arrival in port here l gave official in.
formation OF the capture to the author.
tiles. and what must now follow has to
be dictated by the officers OF justice.
In conclusion l have only to add that ]
congratulate all the officers OF the Tor.
nado, from the highest to the lowest, fol
the severe lesson that they have giveT
TO the enemies Of our country.
D1ONISIo CoSTILLA.