The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1873-12-17
WINNsBORO. S. c., WEDNESDAY Y MORNING. DEC
A IIERo'S FAREWELL.

A HERo'S FAREWELL.
The New Orleans Times publishe
the following copy of tho letter writ
ten by Capt. Joseph Fry to his wife
On the day before he was murdered
by the Cuban butchcrs'at St. Jago dc
Cuba. The letter was obtained from
Gen. Rafael Qucsada' by Times re.
po ter, who states that the pages oi
the original bore tho empress of the
tears shed hy tho bcroic writer. II
was the last communication ever
madc to the world by Che true Ameri
eau, and the blended expressions Of
Election, Of religious hope. of digni.
lied resignation with which it teens
will cause its words 10 be remember.
cd SO long as virtue and courage are
honored among mon. II may be well
TO state that tho letter necessarily,
omits all reflections on the Spanish
Government, but, before his death,
Fry gave uttcrance very forcibly' to
his opinions on that subject, his silence
only coming with his death :"
SPANISH MAN.or~ WAR Ia TORNADO,
81. JAGo DE- CUBA, Nov. 6, 1873.
Oc0r, Dear Ditu.-When / left you
I had no idea that VIC should nev or
meet again in this world but it
seems strangs TO ME that l should to-
night, and on Anuic's birthday, be
calmly seated, on beautiful moon
light, night, in most beautiful bay
III Cuba, to take my last leave uf you
my own dear, sweet wife, and with
thought Of your bittcr anguish my
only regret at leaving.
have been tried to-day, and the
president Of the court.martial ask ed
the favor OF embracing me at parting,
and clasped me to his heart. l have
shaken hands with each Of my judges,
and the secretary of the court and
interpreter have promised me, es II
special favor, TO attend my execution,
which will, | am told, be i'll very
few hours atter my sentence is pro-
nonncvd. am told my death will be
IHinicss IN short, l have had very
cheerful and pleasant chat about my
ianHral, t. which I ahall 20 in a very
fr = hours from now. How soon
c;,nuot yet say. 1t is curious TO see
how make friends. Poor Bambetta
pronounced ne il gentleman, and he
was the brightest and bravcst crea-
lurc | ever saw.
The priest who gave mo commun-
ion on board this morning put a
double scapular about my neck, and
medal which he intends to wear him.
self. \ young Spanish officer
brought ne Il bright new silk badge
vi;h the blessed Virgin stamped upon
1t 20 wear to my execution for him,
and Il handsome Gloss in some fair
lady's handiwork. These are to be
kept as relies Of me. lie embraced
me ailcctiouotely in my room with
tears in his eyes. Is 3 x 4 Il
Dear sweetheart, you will be abl c
to bear it for my sa Ike for | will be
with you if God permits it. Al
though ] know my hours are shol t
Il few, l am not sad. ] feel shall
alAays be with you right soon. dear
Dita, and yon will not be afraid Of
me. ~ 80 4" !.
-, Pray for me- e, aud will J. pray with
There is to be a fearful sacrifice of
I,:c from the Nirginiua, and; as
think, . needless one, as the poor
people arc unconscious Of crime, aud
even Of their fate up to now. [ hope
God will forgive if | AIN to blame for
fyou write to President Grant, lie
will probably order my pay due when
| resigned paid to you after my
death. & II People will be
kinder to you now, dear Dita, at least
[ hope SO. Do not dread death when
il comes to you it will DO as Gods
angel Of rcst--remembcr this. X X
x u 4; II II X
I hope my children will forget their
fathers harshncss and remember his
love and anxiety for them. May
they practice regularly their religion,
and pray for him always. y \
TeIl--that the last act Of my
life Will be public profession of my
faith and hope IN Him, Of whom VIC
need not be ashmed, and it is not
honest to withhold that public ac"
acknowledgement from any false modcsty
or timiiity. May God bioss and save
US all. =" " ~ II n
Sweet, dear, dear Dlta, wo will
soon meet again. Till then, adiou,
for the last time.
Your devoted husband, :
JOSEPH FRY.
Nti nj n i1ufS