Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-12-23
TELEGRAPHIC. NEWS.
ESPECIAL DISPATCHES TO TIE GAzETTE.]
Surrender of the Virsinius Captives.

W Inv -. sAAsAS ~eSPOAs ~
New York, Dec. pa special dispatch
from Key West, dated the 22d, says the United
States ship Pinta arrived tonight from Sautl-
ago de Cuba with official reports for Admiral
Scott 10 regard to the surrender OF the rgn.
JUS prisoners 1t appears that the Spanish au-
thoriiies to the last moment kept the poor
wretcIes in ignorance Of their prospective re-
lease, and led them to suppose that they We're
to BE- executed. Priests were with thcm taking
their confessions and dying declarations, aud
imporing them to look to God for pardon.
They were taken out of prison in dispair, but
Oh their way to the slaughter pen. as they SUP
posed, their eyes fell upon the Juuata flying
the flag Of the United States, and when they
T realized the truth, a scene occurred winch beg
CARS description, and their enthusiasm knew no
bounds They were speedily transferred TO the
deck of the Juniata and gave vent to the most
extravagant, but touching demonstrations OF
Joy, embracing each other, some crying, some
kissing and others audibiy offering thanks TO
| the Almighty for their dcllverauce from the
horrors Of :hcir dungeons and the prospect Of
| an lgnDmniuus death. On the night before
the surrender the officers and crew Of the Juni-
ate we're stationed at quarters aud her guns
were turned ON the city, the Spanish volunteers
| having been excited to open riot by the rumor
| that the surrender was to take place. A large
number Of volunteers went III body to the
| Governors palace and begged permission tie
| attempt the capture of the unlla saying that
they could do it with knives alone, but tho
Governor refused to grant permission. Our
| officers believed the application was made III
| earnest, and not few regret II was not favor
ably entertained, as the Junlata alone, not to
spcakc Of the Kansas and the Pinta, would
| have been more thana match Tor the assallauts.
| On the arrival of the Pinta at Santiago dc Cuba
orders Game to the ship from Commander
Blaine for the payma>ter to issue all blankets
and peal ckcls in his department to the prlso-
ners, who were hardly fit to be Seen 10 their
rags This was speedily done, but as there
was still great dcstitution orders came for every
mau on board to give their own blankets and
wearing apparel in the good cause, the promise
being made that all would be replaced on the
arrival of the ship at Key West. The officers
and meu checrtuy complied with this order,
only preferred that it should be issued as re-
quest, 10 which case they would have obeyed
with Just as much aacrity. Every heart was
touched by the pitable condition Of the prlso-
ners. The poor fellows report that they
were barbar"u>y treated. Tlfcy say that
| when the officers from the Tornado board
ed the Virguius one Of them i'll hauling
down the flag Of the United States tore it into
ribbous and trampled on it ASSERTING with an
OATH This is what have wanted"
The situation in Santiago de Cuba is report
ed still very serious. u large minority of the
| population is in sympathey with the Cuban
cause, but the volunteers coulrol everything
with high hand Only a week ago twenty
| five citizens of Santiago were arrested and after
sonc mock trial had been gone through with,
withsut any evidence being adduced against
them, they were told to go home.
GA the way they were cruelty waylald and
killed, only one escaping. lie was ridded with
bullets and dangerously wounded. Americans
are continually in fear Tor their lives, aud Bit
,yrly complain that nothing has been done to
| redress their wrongs 1t is not safe for au
American officer to 90 ashore alone at Santiago.
All along the river line The Spaniards are erect
ing new batteries