Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-11-18
Stauntun Spettator,
Tuesday, Novems6er IS, 1878.
re of the Steamer Virginius.

ing pursuit, the Sleauor v ugluluS was CdpOui
ed off the coast Of Jamaica by the Spanish
man-ofwar Tornado, the particulars of which
we publish in another column. It seems that
the Virginius, though sailing under the U. ..
flag, was engaged in the military service OF the
Cuban insurgents, and that she was carrying
soldiers and munitions of war at the time OF her
capture, and was endeavoring to reach the Is
land of Cuba to deliver them when she was
detected, pursued and captured.
The prisoners were taken at once to Santiago
de Cuba where they arrived the next day, Nov.
LIST, at o'clock, 2. nj. The next day, the End
inst. court martial was held on board the
Tornado which commenced at o'clock and
terminated at o'clock. They were tried as
pirates and condemned to be executed. The
trial and execution seem to have been FASTENED
that the bloody deed, which has so justly sent
a thrill of horror throughout the civilized world
and excited storm of wrathful Indignation,
might be effected before the Spanish Govern
ment could forbid it. The Cuban volunteers
were too bloody-thirsty o.wait-they feared the
feast of blood would be denied them, so that
with the ferocity of the tiger of the jungle, they
proceeded to the feast Of human blood.
Ga the 4th, the following four Generals were
shot. Bernable Varona alias Bambetta, gen.
eral of division; Pedro Cespedes, command
ing general of Cienfuegos; General Jesus de
Sol, and Brigadier- General Washington Ryan.
The executions took place in the presence OF
the entire corps of volunteers, the force Of re-
gulsr infantry, and sailors from the feet.
s On the 5th, five other Cubans were shot On
the 7th, Capt. Joseph Frey, commanding the
Virginius, with thirty six of the crew were shot
The following are their names Capt. Joseph
FREY first mate, VIM. Barnes; second mate,
James Flood seamen. J. G. Harris, ohm Boa,
B.P. Chamberlain, VIM. Koso, Ignacio Duon-
as, Antonio Deloyo, Jose Manuel Tran, Ray
moud Larramend, Enstebio Gracia, Edward
Day, J. S. Trujilio, Jack Williamson, Porfrio
Corvison, P. ,Alfaro. Thomas Crigg, Frank
Good, Paul Kuhnrer, Barney Herald, Samuel
Card John Brown, Alfred Harriet, W. j. Price,
Geo. Thomas Ezekiel Durham, Thos. Walter
Williams. Simon Broyeur, Leopold Laroze, A.
Arci, John Stewart, Henry Bond, Geo. Thomp-
son, Jas. Samuel, Henry Frank, and James
Read
Ga the Sh, twelve more of the Cubans were
shot Ga the 10th, according to the Dlario. OF
Cienfuegos, ffty-seven more Of the captlVes
were shot, One account says that all were kill
ed, and another that ali but Is were condemn
ed to death 1t is too early to get the facts
With certainty,
Captain Joseph Frey, the commander OF the
Virginius, vas native of Florida, and was
forty-six years Of age. He entered the Naval
Academy at Annapolis in 1874, and remained
in the navy until 1861, when he resigned, and
entered the Confederate service. He leaves
wife and seven children, the oldest cripple,
and the youngest only four years OF age.
It seems that these ''acts of savsgery, in the
language of the Baltimore Gazette, were done
in defiance Of Spanish authority, and at the
iustigation Of the bloodthirsty Spanish volun-
teers who profess to be loyasts, but who only
yield obedience to the home government when
it suits their purposes, and whose atrocities
neither the Captain General at Havana nor the
commanders in tee field have the power to sup
press-stil! less to punish. They have conduct
ed the war like savages; they have put to death
innocent Cubans, as in the case OF the students
at Havana falsely accused of mutllating a
tomb. They have shot every Cuban prisoner
OF note that fell into their hands. They have
hunted, harassed, and imprisoned the peace
full relatives Of the insurgents, sparing neither
age Nor sex, and have confiScated, often on the
shallowest Of pretexts, property valued at many
millions of dollars. So long as these sanguinary
excuses we're committed within the island, and
the native Cubans were the only victims, other
Governments, though shocked at the inhu-
man way in which the war was conducted felt
bound to refrain from active interference. Now
the case is different. If the capture Of the Vir-
giniuS took place in Cuban waters that fact
might be urged as an excuse for the passionate
killing Of the captiges. But after orders for a
stay of proceedings were received from the
Home Government, the men who killed them
in defiance of those orders were as much insur-
gents as the men whom they shot, and should
be dealt with accordingly. The plea that Spain
cannot control these volunteers, and therefore
ought not to be held answerable for their acts,
has no validity whatever. If she claims pos
session Of the island, and recognizes these men
asin her service, it is her duty to control them.
Otherwise her claim is sham
Great Indignation prevails throughout the
country, and the sound Of warlike preparation
is now heard. The advicas from Washington
indicate considerable activity 10 naval prepare
tons, various ships Of war in different North
Atlantic ports being ordered to sail for different
ports in Cuba, and others being got ready for
sea. Some vessels are said to be already on
their way to the gulf, while others will be fitted
out as soon as possible. 1t is stated that the
Sangus iron-clad is now at Key West in perfect
condition. 1t is alsostated that dispatches have
been sent to all the navy yards to ascertain what
force will be necessary to fit out every vessel now
in ordinary, and what was the shortest time in
which it could be done. 1t is also mentioned
that large quantities of coal have been ordered
to Key West, and precautionary steps to have
everything in readiness in the event of the gov
eminent being obliged to act promptly and firm
ly.
a strong effort is made by many to induce
our Government to precepitate a war with
Spain. 1t will require caImness and frmness
on the part of the President and Cabinet to
avoid precipitate action. As is well known thew