The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-12-06
A Cuban Account of the Capture of
the Yirginius.

The New York Times special CORES
pondent at Havana, on Nov. II tele-
eraphed to that paper the following ac-
count of the capture of the Virglnius, and
the subsequent trial and execution of her
officers and crew:
1.-The Tornado, which made the capture,
was cruising on the 31st of October, under
sail, about eighteen miles from the Cuban
coast, when she sighted a steamer about
six miles distant heading toward her. The
captain at once ordered steam to be got
up, and soon observed that the strange
steamer had altered her course and headed
for the coast of Jamaica, distant about one
hundred miles. The Spanish captain at
once suspected from this unusual pro-
ceeding that the steamer was the VIZ
ginius, and he ordered steam got up on
all the engines, and to drive them at their
utmost speed. The Tornado, under full
headway, showed such speed that it was
clear, in long chase, she would certainly
overhaul the stranger. She gained steadl-
ly, but as night was coming the Spanish
captain feared he would lose sight of the
vessel. The moon rising, however, he
was enabled by keeping all hands Oh deck,
at the masthead and in the rigging to
keep a sharp lookout The steamer was
kept in sight until the corvette had neared
sufficiently to bring her guns TO bea1
on her. The scene on deck among the
Spaniards was one of intense excite
ment, the fugitive steamer-for II
was now quite evident that, for what
ever reason, she was very anxious to es-
cape--was observed to throw her cargo
overheard, and empty boxes and other ma
terial fioated past the Spaniard. A shot
was fired, but the stranger made no reply
and four Others were fired in succession
The last shot was fired at 10 p. M, and inn
mediately the steamer. which had led the
corvette a chase of nearly eight hours
hove to. Two boats were lowered anC
manned and pulled alongside. They me
no resistanaa.ainA boarding the steamer
which they had now discovered beyont
| doubt to be the Nirginius. They tool
possession of her by hauling down tht
American flag which the Virginiu
had displayed throughout the chase
and hoisted the Spanish flag in
stead. Captain Fry Of the Virginius
| in the usual manner handed over th'
steamers papers for the examination OF th'
officer in command of the boarding party
and that officer at once took charge OF then
and both vessels headed for Santiago d'
Cuba. On the first of November at
| O'CLOCK p. III. tHey dIT1Veu dG\ tiidU poIl
Proceedings were Immediately begun
against the captives as pirates and not
withstanding the protest of the Unite'
| States Vfce-Consul at that port, they wer
condemned, and ON the morning of the 4tl
of November four were shot. A nava
court-mattia was then organized for tn
| trial of Captain Fry and the crew of tn
Virginius, and they We're of cours
condemned after a most expedition
trial, and on the 9TH, the captain, frs
mate, second mate. and thirtyfour seamel
were shot. On the sth twelve of thos
called "expeditionists" were shot, an! o
the 10th fifty-seven more We're put t
death. The latest report from Santiago d
Cuba is that eighteen only OF the entir
ships company, consisting originally
1863, will be saved. Some of these are Ell
gineers.. and it is assumed they were nc
aware of the nature of the voyage, an
others are sailors. Only four. it is no.
stated, will escape without suffering som
form of punishment, and the remainder {
those not shot will be condemned to tn
| chain-pan9,