Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-11-08
The LATE BrTCRERY AT SANTIAGO De CUBA
The Late General Ryan-Hts Resi-
denee I'm washing ton-How He
Looked and ntked-Hts Cuban Ser
vtces-The 'sFnnnte'' Expedition a
Letter from Ny an-The Steamers
10 the President-Wha hat General
Quesada Says About the Massacre,
Ac., &c.


order of Spanish military tribunal at Santiago
de Cuba on Tuesday morning last the hes,
known in Washington was Gen. W. A. c. Ryan.
For over a year past he had made washin stou
his headquarters and could be seen almost any
day after II O'Clock IN the morning at, or in the
vicinity OF the Metropolitan hotel. His peculis,
attire never failed TO attract the attention OF
passers by, and strangers invariably inquired
"what man belonged to that big hat and stick,
referring to the tall SLOUGH hat with n wide
rim, rakishly turned down on one side, which
he wore, and small-sized sapling of Cubsn
growth, which he carried. Another popularity
OF the Generals get up and surroundings was
the presence of
MONSTER SPOTTED BLOODHOUND,
which generally accompanied him in his prom
enades on the avenue. He was very fond of the
huge brute, and a few weeks ago inserted an
one had stolen him, and Offering $50 reward for
his return. We believe the big dog never turned
up. Ryan dressed handsomely though rather
Hastily, and In cold weather wore large mill,
good figure, and was youthful in appearance
being in fact but wenty-eight years of age
when executed. He wore no beard or mus
tache. His nose was large, but TO compensate
he had a small mouth. He had an easy gentle
manly address, talked rapidly and earnestly
when interested, and in conversation used un
exeeptionable English, IL occasional forcible
explosives were not taken into account. He was
born OF Irish parents, in New York, and, ac-
coruing 10 MS own account, served In the Union
army, and was wounded several times during
the war. After the rebellion he Joined an expe
citizen to Montana, and claims that he estab-
lshed and for some time conducted the Montana
Herald, at Helena. Subsequently he made A
fortune at mining, which he los. in speculation,
and
IN 1868 CANE TO WASHINGTON
TO accept a commission offered him by Senior
Romero, then Mexican Minister to the United
States, in the Mexican army. The Cuban re-
volt had just un and he changed his mind
and went TO Cuba. He served some time in the
patriot army, in the capacity, as he claimed, OF
Chief Of cavalry. He then came to the United
States by order of Cespedes TO organize expedi-
tons, and accompanied several TO the island.
He was with the "Fanpie" expedition, aud was
charged by many with cowardice in returning
10 the United States and in causing the vessel
to be reeted. This latter charge he Indignantly
denied, placing the entire blame on Captain
Brown, OF the Fannie. He gave as a reason for
not accompanying the troops TO the interior OF
the island that he was dangerously sick with
black vomit and wholly unable % leave his
berth during the voyage. He also alleged that
an attempt was made on his life while on board
the Fannie, and showed dent in a Grand Army
medal which he wore where the point of the
assassin's dagger struck. He was in bad odor
after this with many Cubans in New York, but
WAS RECOGNIZED AS A FRIEND OF CUBA
by Madame Vile Verde, the president of 1.-THE
Daughters of Cuba" Ramon Cespedes, minis
ter from Cuba, and later by Gen. Quesada. He
was arrested a number of times by the New
York authorities for violating the neutrality
laws, but generally managed TO secure his re-
lease after brief Imprisonment just before
sailing from New York, a few weeks ago, he
was again arrested, but was released in time to
sail for Cuba with Gen. Verona and others.
Ryan was a pleasant social person to meet
but many o. his statements were always taken
by those who knew him cum grdao sails. He
got into a number of personal diff culties while
in Washington, one Of his last occurring on
street car, In consequence, as Ryan alleged, of
the conductor demanding fare twice. The
case, which came before the Police Court was
reported in THE STAR, and it will be remem
bered that Ryan was fined SO for assault and
battery. He always seemed to have plenty OF
money, which he spent freely. He drank, blu
seldom to excess, and was q man of considers
BILE education and general intelligence. He
spoke the Spanish language quite fuently
having acquired it while in Cuba.
LITTER FROM GEN. RYAN.
The following letter, written by him to gen
tleman in this city, about a year since, will be
-ead with interest in view Of his tragic death.
The letter is written in an easy business hand:
WASHINGTON, d. c., Nov. 4, 1872
Dear Sir: As you requested the letter of Col.
Earle for publication, enclose the original,
and you can make use Of II if you feel so in.
elined. Gel. Earle Is an American and gen
man. and his statements can be fully relied on.
For-his soldierly bearing, strict attention to
duty, and prominently conspicuous bravery,
he was promoted to the rank Of lieutenant colo
mel, and made chief of the scouts of the Island.
Jordan, and was my chief of scouts 1 per
fectly agree with him that the 2eo, 900 negroes
that have been set free by the Cubans will never
consent to return to their former condition.
They can only only be vanquished by being ester-
on the despotic and tyranical rule of Spain, and
rid their country OF human bondage. There are
two parties to the conhict-one for tyranny,
oppression and wrong; the other for freedom,
Cuba will sooner or later be free; her cause is
Just; 1t is only q Question OF time-loss of more
life and more sacrifices.
Respectfully, W. A. Q. RYAN.
THE CAPTURED vIReINIUs,
formerly the Virgin, was built on the Clyde in
1864 as q confederate blockade runner, in which
capacity she did good service. She is a schooner,
has one deck, very handsome mess and state
rooms aft, and Is q fast sailer. She was captured
by the United States forces at Mobile, when the
Union forces took that city. Subsequently the
Virgin was brought to the navy yard, and was
transferred by the Navy department to that OF
the revenue, but after she had entered the SER
vice of Uncle Sam she was found unsuited for
her work, and ii was resolved to put her up at
public auction, and she was sold at the Wash
ington navy yard in 1868 to Mr.. Isaac Roberts a
sonof Marshall Q: Roberts, of New York city,
for $40, 900 (?). She is now owned by Mr.. John
F. Patterson, of New York In 1851 she was
chartered by the Cubans and left New York.
going south, and flying the stars and stripes
the Goth day of July, 1871, Brigadier General
Rafael Quesda, having left Puerto Csbello a
few days previously, landed an expedition near
santiago de Cuba. Rafael is a brother of the
celebrated General Manuel de Quesada. The
second Virainius expedition, also commanded
by the gallant young Quessda, left Aspinwall on
the LIST OF last July, and landed on the southern
coast Of Cuba on the eth of that month. The
bold attitude taken by the commander Of the
United Safes war vessel Kansas and likewise
that Of the United States consul at that port
when Spanish war vessel threatened, in in
suiting correspondence to those officers, to cap
ture the Virginius at that spot, are well remem-
bered. The commander Of the expedition was
Varona, and Pedro Alfaro had charge of the
operations of embarkation and Decentralization.
The commander Of the yirginius IS Captain
Fry, native Of Louisiana, and q graduate of
the Annapolis naval academy, but who served
in the confederate navy during our late un-
pleasantness with the south. Captain Fry is
we'll known south a. an excellent seaman and a
fearless man. He left New York about four
months ago on the steamer Atlas, for Kingstoa,
Jamaica, to take charge Of the virginius. He
has recently been living at Albany, New York
THE SCREW srIAMRR TORNADO
was alse built in Great Britain during the rebel
lion for q conferSte privsteer. She was subse
quently sold to the Peruvian government, but
in 1865 was enlarged BY the Spanish Minister
q the court Of St. james, and the British au-
thorities, dreading another Alabama, refused 70
let her Tn A.