New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-11-14
BY LEGRAPH.
CUBA.

Particulars OF the Capture OF the vir.
&inius.
NEW YORK, November 13.-A Havana
letter, nnder date OF the eighth, gives the
following particulars Of the capture of the
Virginius:
The Virginius, shortly after the departure
OF the French steamer for Santiago de
Cuba, left Jamaica on the twenty fourth
ultimo.
1t was the intention of the expeditionists
on board to sail direct for the shores of
Cuba. but slight damage to the machinery
Obliged Them to enter the port Of Hayti
This they lett, touching at Port au- Prince,
Hayti, and another part of the same island.
concluded to sail for Cuba and attempt a
landing. On this day the Spanish consul at
Kingston advised the Governor at Santiago
dc Cuba that the Vrgnius was in the
vicinity of Maral + Bay, Jamaica.
AS It happened tho Spanish man Of war
Tornado had that morning arrived at San
tiago de Cuba, aud Governor Burriel imme-
dlataly communicated to her commander,
Costello, bis information, which caused her
to leave four hours afterwards. The fol-
lowing day, the thirty-frst, the Tornado,
under full sail and but little steam on, as
some slight repairs were being made to her
machinery, came in sight of the Virginius,
which probably supposed the Tornado to be
sailing vessel, as her course was not
changed. On the Tornado every effort was
made to hasten the repairs they were en-
gagged in. and at two O'Clock the chief enyi-
neer pronounced them completed. All
steam possible was Immediately got up.
and the vessel headed for the Virginius,
soon reaching the speed of fourteen knots
and slowly gaining upon her.
The tiryinius had in rho una.p+;,ro l,on%
on her course, but diviniDg the hostile in.
tentions of the Tornado changed it toward
Jamaica, and being out of coal commenced
to burn petroleum, grease, fat and other
cOmbnstibles from the provisions on board,
such as hams, etc. Night closed in and the
vessels were in the same relative positions,
the Tornado, however, gaining upon her
prey. The bright light of the full moon
kept the Virginius in full sight, and her
two masts and the dense clouds OF smoke
on account of the nature of her fuel were
clearly visible to the slowly gaining Tor
nado.
Further to facilitate their fight they
threw overheard horses, cannon and many
cases of arms and ammunition, afterward
stated to be 1000 Remington rifles, mitrail.
1euse, seven horses and a quantity of pow
der and small arms.
As soon as ahe got within gunshot the
Tornado tiled gun, followed by three
other shots and shells. This brought the
Tornado came alongside, took possession of
the vessel and made prisoners of all on
board
At the time of the capture the Virginius
was flying the American flag, but this was
pulled down by the Spanish officer, and the
Spanish ensign boisted in it's place.
The vessel at the time was in British
waters, and within league. as l am posi-.
lively assured. of the coast of Jamaica.
the capture as having been effected twenty
miles from Jamaica, and the otficia account
states twelve miles.
The Di0riO states it at twenty-three miles,
the journals of Santiago de Cuba at eight
miles and twenty miles, and the version of
the Voz de Cuba is twelve miles The com
OF the Tornado publicly stated in
Santiago de Cuba that an hour later and
the Virginius could have saved herself by
entering some port of Jamaica.
After the capture, the next two hours
were employed in transferring some of the
prisoners to the Tornado and putting a
prize crew on the Virginus.
The total number of persons on board
amounted to los, of whom ninety are said
to be natives of Cuba and the remainder
foreigners OF these I65 perhaps sixty
three form the crew.
At midnight that night the two vessels
started for Santiago de Cuba and arrived
the following day at five O'clock in the
afternoon, having been joined by the Span
sh steamer CantaibrO. The fact alone of
seventeen hours steaming would tend to
prove that they were at considerable dis
tance from Cuba and very near Jamaica. as
the dist ance between the two islands is not
much above 100 miles. The following day
November y a courtmartial was held on
board the Tornado, which commenced at
nine and terminated at four o'clock All
we're tried as pirates, and the findings of
,he court and sentences were sent to the
Captain General and Admiral in sealed
packets.
After the court had concluded it's task
ieneral Burriel, it is said, cOOlly asked
hat all the prisoners should be turned over
% him, with the exception OF the captain
md crew. who should be sent TO Havana at
he disposal of Commandant General De-
marina, and declared that within twenty
our hours afterward all should be tried
md executed, in order to avoid any com
,!icatiOn with the exterior-that is, foreign
Intervention.
United States consul desired to forward to
he United States consul at Kingston, re-
porting the capture and inquiring as to the
nationality of the Virginius.
All this news was received in Havana
With great rejOicings by the Spanish. Last
vening the Captain General received
elegram from Burriel, telling him the fate
If the four principal prisoners.
Activity at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
NEW YORK, November l3.-The officers
# the Brooklyn navy yard profeeS igno
ance in regard to the receipt of orders
rom Washington, but at the same time
very man that could be obtained was set
0 work on thu vessels Powhattan, Kansas
nd Juniata. The Kansas received supplies
f stores this evening, and it is thought
he will sail tonight. The Juniata will be
eady to sail to morrow night.
War With Spain Probable.
The Brooklyn Eagle says Executive Off
er Ransom, of the navy yard, IN an inter- |
lew with its reporter this afternoon said |
rders had been received from Washington |
bout fitting out vessels, but he was not at |
here was prospect of war with Spain and |
lat the government would undoubtedly !
roceed by taking Cuba.
The Spanish Frigate.
The Spanish frigata Arapilas, undergoing |
pans ut thO DA''hif navy olu, HOO Hdt
er plates removed, and could not possibly |
e got in trim for service in less than ten
eehs.
Views Of the New York Press.
The Herald charaoteriZes the executions
Cuba as ii crime Outraging humanity aud
yhausting the patience of the civilized
orld. 1t says the instant recognition of
uban bellgerercy Is an impera i've neces.
ty. A feet Of ironclads must at once be
mt to Havana and Santiago de Cuba to
rotect the lives and guard the interests of
merican citizens.
We can no longer trust 10 diplomatic
rotest and Madrid orders. Our safety
ust be in the weight of our metal and the