The New York herald., 1873-11-23
THE CAPTURE OF The vrRGINTUS.

Further Particulars OF the Outrage ON
tho American Elag-How II Is Under
stood i'm Jamn ica-Aettcn or tae Peru
vian Consui-TnterestingD Details.
The following correspondence, embracing further
details OF the VIrginius Tragedy, has been
received In this city by Dr. Manuel Gown, and
was yesterday made public at the rooms
OF the Amigos de Cuba, in Exchange place.
The letters from Jamaica, and the
first is transcript or an article published in the
Colonial Standard, OF Kingston. Among the
members OF the Society OF Amigos present al the
dinner yesterday were Seniors Nogrul, Aldarna
Cesneros, Gown and Arteaga, and General Fran
cisco V. Aguilera.
DR.. Gown stated that he had seen letter, ad-
dressed to Mrs. General Quesada, from General
Bernabe de Varona, in which the General used the
following language:-'I am about to die. could
live longer. but | cannot do 50 without losing my
honor Proposals ito betray my comrades have
been made to me, but cannot accept them. pre-
fer to die rather tnan to live without honor.n
The other communications are as follows:-
The American steamer virginius left TINS port
OctoDer ~ having been duly cleared by the Gus
tom house authorities, her papers being quite
order. she proceeded to Port au Prince where
she only remained twenIy-four hours, after which
she was compelled to leave, and did so on the 2Sth
twelve noon She was soon chased by three Spanish
war steamers but managed to get away There
were several other spanish war steamers along the
Cuban and Haytien coasts, awaiting her appear
ance, while other war vessels were cruising In the
passage between Hayti and Cuba.
On the night OF the 10Th she was again chased,
but the brave hutle vessel once more succeeded IN
ending the enemy.
The CAPTURE OF THE vIRGINIUs.
On the following morning, the 3Cth, she was
again chased, and again succeeded in giving them
spanish s iur vessels. a''0 Supplies "'e OF porS
and hams burned. The virGinius still
All munitions OF war were then thrown
overheard After twenty hours chase she was
captured near Port Autonrd by Ell Tornado. Shell
were thrown at her, two OF the balls striking her
hull and smokestack. The Vlrginius then hove 10,
still nying the American colOrs. Varona advocated
the blowing up OF the powder magazine so that they
should not fall into the hands Of the Spanards.
Captain Fry said they were in neutral waters and
seemed satisfied. An officer from the Tornado
boarded the VlrginiuS and demanded her papers.
The officer after inspection said they were correct,
but they must consider themselves his prisoners.
Varona replied he considered himself prisoner
because there was no English or American ves-
sci present to witness this scandal. The Amer
ican flag he considered their protection and he had
surrendered under that protection; but he knew
he would be victim, since the Spanish govern
ment all along had hated him. They were taken
aboard the Tornado and put IN irons.
ARRIVAL AT SANTIAGO.
The Vlrginius taken in tow and the two
vessels arrived at Santiago on October 81 at six
O'Clock r. M. Varona ana Ryan's behavior won the
admiration OF the Spanish officers. The news of
the arrival spread rapidly through the city, and the
effects OF the news were most brutal. Tne span
''Death to the piratesin They demanded that the
troops from the neighhoring garrison should be
midnight the captlves were paraded through the
streets, and two and two handcuiled, marched to
jail amid u yelling and shouting crowd.
THE EXECUTIONS.
On the morning OF the 5th Cespedes, Del Sol,
Ryan and Varona were taken TO the place OF
execution, about one mile distant. The four
victims were surrounded by strong escort
of Spanish soldiers. Varona, calm and col
lected, marched amidst the jesrs and vocifera-
execution Cespedes and Del Sol were forced to
knee in which position they were shot in the back.
Ryan aud VarOna were next directed 10 Kneel, but
refused, and were seized and thrown to the ground
handcuned all the time. The two victims begged
their tormentors to let them die standing, and
having offered further resistance were murdered
standing. Ryan was not immediately killed, and
q Spanish officer thrust sword through his heart.
Varona died easily Then down upon the corpses
yet warm, came the boodshrsty mob and, sever
ing the heads OF the victims from the bodies,
placed them on pixies and carried them through
the city.