The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1873-12-07
CAPTAIN FRY.
HIS LAST LETTER TO HIS WIFE

(From the New orleans Times
Gen. Qlesada has been SO Kind IS t.
permit tLo writer to make u transcript OF
the letter written 10y the gallant Fry 10
his wife. The pages Of tho original bore
the impress Vt The tears shed by the he
roic writer. 1t WAS tho last communica
ton ever made to the world by the true
American, and the blended expretsions OF
affection, OF Religious hope, of dignifed
resignation with which II teems, will cAuS,
its words - 10 remembered IA long as
virtue and courage are honored
among men. 1t may be we'll to state
that the letter necessarily omits all reflec
tions on the Spanish govern msnt, but be-
fore his death, Fry gave uttsrance very
forcibly to his opinions on that subject
his silence only coming by death. The al
lusions to family matters are, of course
not reproduced herein below.
ON BOARD THE SPANISH MAS-oB
WAR LA TogcAro, ST.. JAoo De CUBA
November 6, ls73.-DEAR, DEAR DITA;
When l left you had no idea that ",
should never meet again in this world, but
1t seems strange to me that l should TO-
night, and on Annie's birthday, be calmly
seated, on a beautiful moonlight night, In
q mos, beautiful bay in Cuba, to tsxe my
lstt leave Of you, my own, dear, sweet
wife, and with the thought Of your bitter
anguish my only regret OF leaving.
have been tried to-day and the presi-
dent OF the court-martisl asked the favor
OF embracing me At parting, and clssped
me to his heart. have shsk0n hands
with each of my judges; and the secre.
tary of the court and interpreter have
promised me as a special favor TO sttend
my execution which will, am told, be in
very few hours after my sentence 10 pro-
Dounced. am told that my doAth will
be painless in short l have had Q very
cheerful and pleasant chat about my iu n
efal 70 which shall go in very feV
hours from now. How soon I can not ye,
say. 1t il curious TO SEQ how ! mako
friends. Poor Bsmtetta pronounced me
q gentleman, and he was tho brightest and
bravest creature l ever saw.
The priest who gave me communion on
board this morning put q double scnpular
about my neck and + medal which he in
tends 70 wear himself. A young Spanish
officer brought me bright now silk badge
with the Blessed Virgin stamped upon it
70 wear TO my execution for him, and n
handsome cross in some fair lady's handi.
work. These are to be kept ~ relics Of
pe. He embraced me adectionstsly in
my room with tears in his eyes. . .
Dear sweetheart, you will DO able to
bear it for my sake, for will be with you
IL God permits IT, Although l know my
hours are shor, and few, / an not sad. l
feel shsll slways be with you right soon
dear Dita, and you will not be afraid Of
me.
Pray for lac and l will pray for you,
There 10 10 be . fearful sacri fee
Of life from the Virginius, and, as | think,
q needless ono, ss the poor people are un-
conscious Of crime and even Of their fate
up to now hope God will forgive II
am TO blame for il.
II you write 70 President Grant he will
probably order my pay due, whom re-
signed, paid to you after my death.
People will DO kinder TO you now, dear
Di.a, at least l hope so. DO not dread
death whsa 1t comes to you; il will DO a.
Gods angel OF rest-remembsr this.
hope my children will forget their
fathers harshness. and remember his love
and anxiety for them. May they
practice regularly their religion, and
pray for him always. .
Tell----,hat the last act Of my life will be
public confession Of my faith and hope
In Him Of whom We neod not be ashs med
and II 10 not honest to withhold that pub
lie acknowledgment from any fslso mod.
es'y or timidty. May God bles. and
save us all.
Sweet, dear, dear Dita, We will soon
meet again. Till then, adieu, for the las,
time. Your devoted husband.
JosEPH II. FRY.