The New York herald., 1873-11-22
THE SPANISH ACCOUNT OF TEE CAPTURE
from E, cronista OF to-day.1


The extraordinary accounts which are now
being given in the island concerning the afair at
Santiago de Cuba have brought TO us corre-
spondence OF the greatest interest, with docu-
ments SO original and important that we insert it
in our present number with dificulty. or Its au-
thoritative origin we can speak with the greatest
solemnity and, although we do not mention 1t,
our readers viii be able to divine 1t by the charac
ter OF truth which it manifests:-
SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Nov. 4, 1873
MY VERY DEAR SIR-YOu, who, from time to time,
with a constancy worthy OF all euogy, have lol-
lowed the course or the insurrecton in this islands
Spaniard, have sustained in foreign land and
everywhere those unquestionable rights which
assist us in this struggle; YOU VINO are always dis,
defend our glorious banner, have learned through
the periodicals the capture OF the nhbuster
ginus, and have referred to 1t in El C,ontsta,
which yon do worthily conduct giving. notice
o. the movements h G our enemies for ;n the
has been frustrated; and although You have re-
ceived an account OF the capture in general terms,
desire to have the pleasure OF making known the
details, so as to make the matter understood
clearly, as they give much evidence OF the great
Importance o. me expedu1n @ ana, though lar from
you, in your good judgment, will verify how our
enemies, the same as the prisoners have been
suffered from it's falling into our hands.
You will appreciate. these details without
as YOU think best, II you desire to publish them.
Commencing with signalizng the cOwardly flight
OF our enemies, who, with an indescribabe panic,
seeing that the power of the steamer could not
preserve them from the pursuit OF our brave ma
rines, threw their arms to the bottom OF the sea,
as speedy surrender, In place OF doing with them
as they had Overwhelmingly, conquer or die. But
we know that whatever is heroic docs not find a
place in the hearts or our enemies. Bernabe Va
r0na or Bembeta, who from the moment of the
capture presented himself as the fgurehead OF
the expedition, Notwithstanding his well known
as well before the Commander Of the Tornado as
before the officers OF the same, with sagacious dis
stimulation, that he sought clemency, exerting
himself in making seen that he did not desire to
be traitor TO the unjust cause ne had embraced ;
but he did omit means to elude the blow Of the
law, whica he knew very well had fallen on his
head. basing his arguments chiefly on de-
sire to send telegram to CASTELAR,, in which,
he said. he would ask nothing for himself. But
the submarine cable was not working and
the land line wassutfering constant interruptions
and 1t was not permitted that The speedy and
layed. He gave also the names OF the brother OF
Cespedes and oI son OF Quesada, and gave the
prize was OF more importance than would appear
at frst view OIL the personnel which composed the
expedition. Nevertheless, IN forming list Q! the
nothing appeared to attract attention thereto
until day permitted an examination OF the
physioenomies, which, although dirty. were not
in harmony with their clothes. Soon was made
known the individuals whO as a second cOwardly
act, and with a view OF procuring their safety,
purchased quickly. Tor $40, $40 and $50, shirts,
pantaloons and blouses grimy ana dirty, until
there were no more, IRON the hremen OF the Vir-
gnlus, and, habited IN this manner, they were
TIED one TO another and placed in the hold OF the
Tornado amid such disagreeable lumber. Not SO
with varOna Cespedes and Quesada, who were
treated by the Commander OF the Tornado with all
manner OF consideration in the cabin, only being
under the constant vigilance Of one officer and q
sentinel III sight.
The hours passed and Bembeta continued to i'm.
prove every occasion to place in relief the. hard
blow which the ihsurrecti0n had suffered and with
the already mentioned dissimuation continuing to
speak OF persons whom he IN no manner desired
to discover or compromise; but always tending to
He said much truth concerning the dsap-
pointment that had resulted TO the voyage OF
the vessel Notwithstanding the care taken
in Jamaica before putting TO sea, and in
many other things, though insisting that his
t ana n1' m h ne
they arrived in the bay they were boarded by
General Burriel, the Commanding General OF the
department., who called Bemoeta into his pres
ence, and in answering the few questions which
were directed to him he spoke in the same man.
ner he had done to the commander Of the Tornado,
what sacrifice IS that which Cespedes as well
as Quesada wonld not make to save the
lives-rhe first OF his bother and the second OF hts
son. Always the same tendency little noble, al
though disguised with pretended heroism and a
false constancy. The prisoners In number 1o2,
who came figuring as passengers, but were in
truth insurgents were placed at the disposition OF
the civil and military authority OF this place,
prison. leaving on BOARD the crew to be judged by
the marine, as is the custom in such cases.
those on shore, and soon through the intelligence
or the Judges, were made known the names OF the
ryan Ss ce 9y ms %
he gave the name OF Smith; Oscar Varon3, Augustin
varona, a certain Boitel, Henry Castellanos, sal.
aboard Aliaro, Arce y Bosa Juan Nep omuceno)
and others ID great pail N2@ prsgelpel but not
Sembs;a nm sA' sS:s:; s to maintain serenity q
hic ha "A n
conuuerabIe decision not to abjure his profession
OF faith. But waiting the coming OF the forces he
solicited an interview with the commander oi the
Tornado, in which he sought the road 10 obtain
pardon, gong contrary TO his own efforts; Tor,
without complaining for himself & ne iamented the ne
doubt, all his hopes of triumph, and, on the Other
hand, coniessing that the insurrection had suf
Of afsp POSITION U Under dinerent points Of view
and altogether a greater blow tnan could be re-
celved among the ldborantes Of New York, with
the last efiort which to-day they can hope Ior. A,
the time the brother OF Cespedes sought an au
dence, saying that he desired to make important
revelations TO the Commanding General, aud
although this gentleman was persuaded that the
only object was to test his weil-known astuJeness
was admitted to his presence. For what
Like q vile reptile dragging himself along
saying the same as varona that the insurrectioI
died with the present prize, that his brother was
seeking to save himself that he never Joined
clearly In the insurrection, and that he had nine
little ones who were to remain in misery. But
more vet Tnen Bcmbcta, growing weaker frou
| the trial as the extreme moment approached
! seeking to continue his gentlemanly role, but
feeble in the presence OF the scaold which already
| seemed horrible to him, inquired II NJ
! was to be executed on the garrote, o.
! the idea OF such form OF deatl
| was terrible to him. He called to his fiscal, and
| with superhuman effort TO show himself robust IL
his iaitf lie said that although he was resigned tt
| death and would die without faltering IN hi
| fidelity, he could not forget that he was only 2
years OF age, and gave way for a conference with
/ Ryan. Convenient fraad, preconcerted before
hand Ryan could do nothing more than fepea
| vain promises, STOPPING at any means, no matce
| how low, as our enemies are always ready 10 do
At his side was Jesus del Sol, heretofore nobll
| freed and pardoncd his many evll deeds, VINO nat
| proposed TO march to the Peninsula, ana to take
up the torch rather than the sword to convert Int
| ashes the privileged soil OF spain. Wen, then
| Ryan repeated that II their lives were spared INT
| tnsurrcction would terminate IN snort ume-
ready to sacrifice the cause II they ooniu saw saw
| themselves. Excuse me or saying that tue Gcn
era did not give ear TO these speclous deceptions
Tor he understood tho question and tho people, an'
so was on his guard. Enough OF this. The righ
| I'm the other. Ou