The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-11-29
THE vIRGINIUs.
A Chapter Of her History -ouesada's connee
ton with one Of her Expeditions.


The Virgnius, come so much into prom
inence under that name, was known as the
Virgin up 10 October, 1870, when she as
sumed the latter name under circumstances
which recent events have rendered doubly
interesting. Her last exploit is by no
means her only one in the service of Cuba
Libre and under the insurgent flag. In
September, 1870, there were rumors
in New York of an expedition.
There were always these rumors then
as there are to-day. This time they had
some foundation. A British schooner OF
about 1870 tons burden, and named Billy
Butts, lay in the latter part Of that month
at AN East River pier, There was good
deal ct questioning as to her errand, and
It was noticed that the landSmen interested
in her or possessing authority over her
lading were dark complexioned and talked
Spanish. Cubuns, of course. However,
the schooner, with cargo set down a.
general, cleared for Curacao on the 23d
Of the month, reaching that port October
is. Here she met another vessel, a
steamer with the build Of a blockade run.
uer. The Virgin, f. +. Shepard master,
with n crew shipped for a voyage 10 the
Florida coast, the Caribbean Sea, and the
NAuAlf lIAN wow lDNh OtNDDtI =. out
cruised awhile apparently waiting for
something or somebody, just off Sandy
Hook. In the dusk Of the first evening
came out tO her the steamer Virginia Sey-
mour Signals were interchanged, the two
vessels met, and twenty Cubans boarded
the Virgin, among whom we're General
Manual Quesada and his private secretary
one Narona Some mysterious boxes were
i
and the former disappeared, carrying with
her the pilot of the Virgin who was in.
structed to say nothing Of the mission of
the tug, because certain of the mysterious
boxes had been broken open by accident
and their conteuts-revolvers, ammunition
and military stores Of various kinds-ex-
posed. Up to this point the crew Of the
Virgin had no suspicious Of an 'expedi-
ton. An unlucky chance having reveal
ed the mission to them they were quoted
bY assurances that their destination was
Venezuela. The Virgin went down the coast
to Curacao, and hay three or four days
awaiting the Billy Butts. There the
schoOner's cargo was transferred 10 the
steamer. The crew became again alarm
ed for that cargo consisted of 500 cases of
shot, shell, and ammunition, one hundred
and more cases of arms, twelve boxes Of
caps, four brass cannon, six gun carriages,
four dozen boxes Of leather belts and seven
or eight cars of hardware, the total value
being $3O,OOO. There came a mutiny.
Steamers managed by Cubans do not as
a rule carry arms 10 Venezuela, and the
crew had been hired for peace and not for
war. IL assembled on deck and demand
an explanation. Captain Shepard said the
vessel was bound for Laguayra. The crew
asked guarantee Of the fact, and the Gu
bans on board deposited with them for
felt of about $1,000 The Virgin did 60 to
Laguayra, and thence to Venezuela, leav-
ing Ouesada and two or three of his com
rades at the former port Soon after the
arrival Of the Virgin at Venezuela a
Venezuelan gunboat, the Oriental,
left Venezuela sdon after for Laguay
ra, and soon returned with Quesadi
aboard. This chief, after various myster
ious movements aud several parleys witt
the commander of the insurgent feet theI
cruising in those waters, finally openly dis
played the Cuban flag, tying it with hi
own hands TO the staff of a boat he USED
for his visits The sailors who pulled tn,
boat we're astonished, but gave way a
the command and left an astonished crew
aboard the Virgin TO pull their chief TO al
interview with the Admiral upon anislandi il
the harbor This consultation was private
sentries being duly posted and lasted tw,
hours Next day the Virgin unloaded al
her cargo except two twelvepoupd how
itzers. Such men land there were only
few as would not go TO Cuba we're paid Of
and sent home. Captain Shepard did no
go, and the supercargo, c. H. Smith, VIII
took charge Of the arms for c. II. Pond 4
Co, Of No. I79 Broadway, the firm tina
shipped them, also left the steamer. Tn
Virgin took the Oriental in tow and head
ed for Laguayra On the way the Virpi
took in tow five sclooners of the fleet, tn
Oriental getting up steam took the othC
two, and the feet headed for Laguayrs
Hence the Virgin went alone TO Curaco
under Quesada's command, with her tw
guns on deck and ready for action,