Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-11-13


NEw YORK, November IA Havans Ief-er
under date OF the sth, gives the fOnoNing par.
ticHiars OF the capture OF the Nirginius. The
Nirginius shortly after the departure o. he
French steamer tor Santiago de Cuba len
Jamaica on the oath ult. IL was the Intention
OF the eNpeditiouistS on board to sail direct for
the shores Of CuOa. but a slight damage 10 The
machinery obliged them TO enter the port OF
Hayu. This thew left, touching at Porrau-
Prince, Hayti, and another port on the same
island, nntll the 3Uth, upon which day they con
ClUGed TO
SAIL FoR CUBA AND ArTENPr LANDING.
ON this day the Spanish consul ~ Kingston
advised the governor OF Ssntiag Cuba that
the NirginiUs was in the vicinity of Norrauf
bay, Jamaica. As il happened the Spanish
man Of-man Tornado had that morning arrived
Immediately communicated 10 her commander,
Costllla, his information. which caused her 20
leave four hours after wards. On the following
day, the Slst, the Tornado, under full san but
little steam on, as some slight repairs were
selng made TO her machinery, came in sight Of
the Nlrginius, which probably supposed the
Iornado 70 be sailing vessel, as her course
was not changed.
HOT PURSUIT.
On the Tornado every effort was made 20 has
ten the repairs they were engaged in, and AZ
O'Clock the chief engineer pronounced them
completed. All steam possible WAS then imme-
diately got up, and the vessel headed toward
and gradually gained upon her. The Eirginius.
in the meantime, had kept on her course, hut
diviniug the hostile intention OF the TornaIo
changed II towards Jamsica, and being out OF
coal, commenced burning petroleum, grease,
lat, and other combustibles from our provisions.
such as hams, sc.
A NIGHT CHASE.
Night closed in. and the vessels were In the
same relative positions; the Torn ado, however.
gaining upon her rapidly. The bright light o.
the fun moon kept the NTginius in fuIl view.
and her masts and dense clouds OF smoke caused
by the nature OF her fuel, were CLEARLY visible
on board the slowly gaining Tornado. Further
TO facilitate their hight, they threw overheard
horses, cannon, anu many cases OF arms and
ammunition, afterwards stated TO be 2,Oo1 Rem
mington rides, mitrslleuse, seven horses. a
quality Of powder and small arms.
THE CAPTURE.
As soon as she got within gun shot. the Tor
nado fired gun, followed by three other shot
and shell. This brought the Nirginius TO, ami
two armed boats from the Tornado came along
side took possession of the vessel, and made
prisoners all on board.
TIE AMERICAN FLAG HAULED DOWN.
At the time Of the capture the NirgiuiuS was
Tying the American nag; but this was pulled
down by Spanish officer and the spanish en-
sign hoisted in its stead. although the papers OF
the vessel duly dispatched for Colon we're handed
THE vIReINIUs IN BRITISH WATERS.
The vessel at the time was In British waters
formed, of the coast OF Jamaica. On this point
all accounts differ; one giving the capture twenty
miles from Panama. After the capture the next
two hours were employed in Transferring som
of the prisoners 10 the Torn ado and puttisg .
prize crew in the Nirginus.
ONE HUNDRED AND sTXTT-FIvE PRISONERS.
The total number Of persons on board amolGt-
ed TO lbjs Of whom 30 are said to be natives -
the island, and the remainder foreigners. O.
these LOO persons 50 are thoIgbt 10 form IN,
crew. At midnight that night the two ve>s IL
started for Santiago de Cuba, ami arrived tn
following day, at O'Clock in the afternoon.
having been joined by the Spanish steamer
Cantsbro. This fact alone, OF seventeen hours
stesming, would tend to prove that they were
at considerable distance from Cuba and very
near Jamaica, as the distance between the two
islands is not much above 100 miles.
SEWN HOURS TRIAL OF THE PRISONERS.
on the following day (the second) q court
martial was held on board the Tornado. which
commenced at o'clock and terminated at
O'Clock. All were tried as pirates, and the ind
Ings of the court and the sentences were sent %
the captain general and the admiral in sealed
packets. After the court had concluded its task
all the prisoners were transferred 10 jail. Gen.
Burrill cooy asked, it Is said, that all the pris-
oners should be turned over TO him, with the
exception OF the capt sin and crew, who should
be sent to Havana at the disposal OF the com
mandante, Gen. DE Marina. and decl ared that
within tWenty-folr hours Afterwards
ALL SHOULD BE EXECUTED,
in order TO avoid any complication with the ex-
terior-that is, foreign intervention. He also
detained the telegram which the United States
consul desired 10 forward 10 the United States
consul at Kingston, reporting the capture, ami
inquirng as to the nations Atty of the Virginius.
All this news received in Havana with
great rejoicing by the Spanish. Last evening
the recelNeQ a telegram from
Burrill, telling the fate Of four OF the principal
prisoners at Santiago de Cuba.
The letter Of the third gives the following &C
count of the
LANDING OF TIE PRISONERS OF THE NIR-
GINIUs:
Yesterday aftarnOon, about ) O'Clock, the
whole of the members of the yirginius eKpedi-
ton were brought on shore. Forces from the
men oi-war guarded them to the shore, and.
aided by volunteers, conducted them TO prison.
The prisoners walked four in a row, with their
tied. and mOstiy ALI in their shirt
and had generally dirty appearance. Nearly
all walked firmly, With their heads up and with
reckless look on their faces. Many were
smiling. None appeared to be much affected
by their situation. Bembeta was landed b.
himself about half an hour after. He also ha1
his arms tied, and WAS escorted by four marines,
a corporal and an officer. He marched nrm,y
up the street to jail. The wharf and neighbOr-
hood were crowded by curious throng, a no
ticeable feature being large company OF ne
groes, with their hsgs flying and drums beat
ing.'
REJoICINGs AT HAVANA.
In the evening there was, on the previous
one an Illumination of a square ami two hand.
discoursed music till IL O'Clock. The EncuIO
Espanol, in union with the club st. Charles
gave receptions TO the officers of the Tornado.
The invitation stated that the reception wa
given for the brilliant capture OF the insurgent
steamer Nirginius, and the herosm of the cap
ture of the Cowith. The attendance at the Cir
culo soiree was good, guests enthusiastic
speeches patriotic and refreshments abundant
On the Plaza all WAS music, light and anima-
tiout anu aito&ttucE QUO mlkuI nave passed.
very pleasant evening had Il been possible to
diyest ones self of theremembrance that within
few PAGES we're 165human beings sentenced 70
death. The captain, engineers aud crew OF the
NIginius are detained on board the Tornado
and will be tried by marine authorities a. pi-
rates.
COMMENTS
are numerous and various. Doubts are ex-
pressed about the probable action of the L nited
States, and pretty general desire ma nifested 60
have at all events little quiet shooting as soon
as possible, before Uncle Sam can interfere,
even n ne has mind 30 DO so.
~ Is stated that after being taken by the Tor
made. Bambette addressed her commands 70
the following effect: Congratulating him upon
the capture he had made, and stating % him
that he Gid not rs yet comprehend its import
ance; that he was not aware what elements
there were on board, nor the effect they would
produce when disseminated through the island, |
and that possibly the capture Of the lirgiaius
might bring about the Termination OF the insur- |
raction as Il was the Last effort OF the Junta of
New York, which had expended seoo 900 on the |
expedition; and further, that he had ever con- |
fded In the fast sailing qualities OF the Virgin
ius-as he did not believe there was any vessel |
of war that could match her speed-16 knots per l
hour.
II must be doubted, as it cannst be denied, a |
General yarona has since been executed that |
he made any remarks resembling the foregoing,
a. 49, < - -. -