Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-12-19
CAPTAIN FIR
His LAST letter To His wife.

The New Orleans Times publishes
tho following extracts from the gallant
Fry's last letter to his wife, 1t bIeathes
Tenderness and purity in keeping
with such soul. The writer who
made the transcript says the pages Of
the original bore the impress OF tears.
His reflections upon the Spanish GOV
ernmont, to which he gave utterancc
very inTcibly, and his allusiona to
family matters. are omitted:
o. BOARD THE SPANISH MAN-or-NARi
L. TORNADO.
ST. Jaao DE CUBA, Nov. G, 1873. !
Deer, Dear Difa {: When I loft rou
I had no idea that re should never
meet again in this world, but it seems
strange to me that I should tonight,
and on Annie's birthday, DO calmly
seated, On beautiful moonlight night,
in most beautiful bay in Cuba, to
take my last leave Of You, my own dear,
sweet wife, and with the thought Of
your bitter anguish my only regret at
leaving.
I have been tried to-day and the
president of tue court-martial asked
tho favor of embracing me at parting,
and clasped ME to his heart | have
and the secretary of tho court and in
terpreter have promised me as special
favor to attend my execution, which
will, am told, be III very few hours
after my sentence is pronounced. l
am told my death will be painless; in
short, have had a very cheerful and
pleasant chat about my funeral, to
which 1 shall go in few hours from
now. How soon I cannot yet say. l
is curious to see how [ make friends.
Poor Bambetta pronounced me a gen
tleman, and he was the brightest and
bravest creature I ever saw.
The priest who gave me- communion
on board this morning put a double
scapular about my neck and q medal
which he intends to wear himself. \
young Spanish officer brought me a
bright new silk badge with the Blessed
Virgin stamped upon it to wear to my
execution, for him, aud handsom}
cross in some fair lady's haudiwor,.
These are to be kept as relics of me.
He embraced me afectionately Ill my
room with tears in his eyes.
Dear sweetheart, you will be able t
bear it for my sake, for I will BE- with
you if God permits it. Although l
know my hours are short and few, l
am not sad, feel I shall al. avs be
with you right soon, dear Dita, and
you will not be afr, id of me. =
Pray for me, and l will pray for yJu.
There is to be a fearful sac
rifice of life from the Virginius and,
as think, needless one, as the poor
people are unconscious of crime, and
even of their fate up to row. hope
God will forgive if I am to blame for it.
If you write to President Grant he
will probably order my pay due when
resigned paid to you after my death
X X People will be kind to you now,
dear Dita, at least hope so. Do not
dread death when it comes to you; it
will be as Gods angel Of 1est-rsmeln-
hope my children will forget their
fathers harshness and remember his
love and anxiety for them. May they
practice regularly their relig on, and
pray for him always. Tell
- that the last act of my life will be
public profession of my faith and
hope in Him, of Whom we need not
be ashamed, and it is not honest to
withhold that public acknowledgement
from any false modestv or tin1idity.
May God bless and save Us all. K =
Sweet, dear, dear Dita, we VII soon
meet again. Till then, ndieu, for the
lasc time.
Your devoted husband,
JOSEPH FRY.