Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1873-11-21
Details of the Capture of the Yirginius.

NEW YORK, November 13.
A letter from Havana gives an account
of the capture of the steamer Virginius,
from which it appears that on the 30th of
October the Spanish Consul at Kingston,
Jamaica, advised the Governor at Santiago
de Cuba that the Virginius was in the
vicinity Of Morrant Bay. The Spanish
war steamer Tornado had that morning
arrived at Santiago de Cuba, and four
hours after the Governor had received in
formation of the Virginius, went in search
of her. On the following day the Tornado,
under full sail and but little steam, as
some slight repairs were being made to
her machinery, came in sight of the Vir-
ginius, which probably supposed the
Tornado to be sailing vessel, as her
course was not changed. On the Tornado
every effort was made to hasten the re-
pairs which they were engaged in, and at
two o'clock the chief engineer pronounced
Immediately got up and the vessel headed
for the Virginius, soon reaching speed
of fourteen knots and slowly gaining up
on her. The Virginius, had, in the mean
time, kept on her course, but divining the
hostile intentions of the Tornado, changed
it toward jamaica and being out of coal
commenced to burn petroleum, grease,
fat, and other combustibles from
the provisions on board, such as
hams, etc. Night closed in, and
the vessels were in the same
relative positions, the Tornado, however,
gaining. AS soon as they got within gun
shot the Tornado fired gun, followed by
three other shots and shell. This
brought to the Virginius, and two armed
boats from the Tornado came alongside,
took possession of the vessel, and made
prisoners of all on board.
At the time of the capture the Virginius
was flying the American flag, but this was
pulled down by Spanish officer, and a
Spanish ensign hoisted in its place,
although the papers Of the vessel, duly
dispatched for Colon, were handed to
hours were employed in transferring some
of the prisoners to the Tornado, and put
ing prize crew on the Virginius.
At midnight the two vessels started for
Santiago de Cuba, and arrived there on
the following afternoon at five o'clock,
having been joined by the Spanish
port the intelligence spread like lightning,
and attracted an immense crowd of people.
The Government Palace and other public
buildings were Illuminated, and all the
authorities, civil and military, went to
felicitate Governor Burriel upon the news,
who, in the evening, gave brilliant re-
ception. The vessels were surrounded in
the bay by number of boats filled with
bands of music and cheering volunteers.
The festivities were kept up late in the
night.
On the following day (the 2d) court
martial was held on board the Tornado,
which commenced at O'Clock, and ter
minated at four All the prisoners were
tried as pirates, and the findings of the
court and the sentences were sent to the
Captain General and the Admiral in sealed
packets. After the court had concluded
its task, all the prisoners, with the excep-
ton of Bembetta, Jesus del Sol, General
Ryan and Pedro Cespedes, were transfer
red to the Jail of the city, escorted by a
force of one hundred volunteers and
number of marines. General Burriel, it
is said, coolly asked that all the prisoners
should be turned over to him, with the
exception of the Captain and crew, who
should be sent to Havana, at the disposal
of the Commandant, General de Marinats,
and declared within twenty-four hours af-
terward that all should be tried and exc
cuted, in order to avoid any complication
WlU1l tllC lu0Cl-
vention He also detained a telegram
which the United States Consul had de-
eided to forward to the United States
Consul at Kingston, reporting the capture
and inquiring as to the nationality of the
Virginius.
The Virginius had her papers in order,
and was dispatched for Colon, all of her
passengers appearing on the papers as
laborers for railroad that is building
there.
s All accounts differ as to the position of
the Virginius at the time of her capture.
One gives the capture as having been eff
fccted at twenty miles from Jamaica, and
the official account says that it was twelve
miles. The Didrio states it at twenty
three miles, the journals Of Santiago de
Cuba at eight miles and twenty miles, and
the version of the Voce de Cuba at twelve
miles. 4
The commander of the Tornado public
ly stated in Santiago de Cuba that one
hour later, and the Virginius could have
saved herself by entering some port of ia
maica.
1t seems thst the Virginius, shortly af-
ter the departure Of the French steamer