The New York herald., 1873-12-11
NEW YORK HERALD THURSDAY DECEMBER H. SsTRIPLE
why rehearse the story with whIch the world is


now familiars
NUMBERING rHE CAPTAIN AND CREW.
Ihave already intmated that whatever show OF
formality was exhibited towards the victims who
pershed first, but little time was spent in dealing
with Captain Fry and his crew. His protestatons
were as chan in the wind. He was pirate, they
said, and that was enough. The accusers were on
hand again. and the crew, ignorant OF what was
going on, were condemned. Fry was popular man
and honest withal and when the members OF the
crew were arraigned in his presence he, In re-
sponse to inquiries, identified the individuals
belonging to his vessel That was sufficient. To
the number OF 81. including the Captain, they were
taken from the Tornado and marched to jail,
where
THE SENTENCE OF DEATH
was read to them by order OF Ramon Branderis,
Commandant OF the Marine. This was on the 9th
OF November, and the day Of execution was set
down for the Sth. On the following morning
telegram was received here from Kingston,
Jamaica, notifying the English Consul that the
war vessel Niobe would leave that port for
Santiago The evening previous, and apprehen-
sive lest, with Characteristic pluck. her CON-
mander would interfere in the cause OF hu-
manity, the time OF the execution was
changed, so that instead OF allowing the
prisoners time for preparation until the morning
originally fixed Tor the execution, they were hur
ried to their doom, marching In rows OF four from
the jail. Almost the same heartrending scenes
marked the brutal exhibition, which rendered its
predecessor so sickening to behold. The manacles
from the 81 men were removed, after which they
were ordered 10 face the dead wall in kneelng
posture. This time
THE FRIGHTFuL TASK OF SHOOTING
was entrusted to the sailors OF the Tornado, who,
to their credit be il said ut first declined the office.
They were. however, finally compelled to perform
the dreadful duty assigned them, though am told
when the fatal shots were fred they averted their
heads that they might not the results OF their
ghastly work.
ALFARO,
about whom so much has been said upon receiv.
ing the first wound In the back. sprung from
the ground, and turning to his executioners,
exclaimed in tone OF anguish, with hands up
lifted. "Barbar0s por que no me neatar0n de una
rez ?' (s'Barbarians, why do you not kill me at
once ~ and, staggering back. ne fell upon the
ground dead. The sailors, who did their brutal
work so reluctantly, took little or no aim, and in
several instances several volleys were required to
finish the irightful job. The result can hardly be
imagined. Human beings writhed In every pos
ture, and the fearful cries Of pain which rent the
air sent thrill all through the spellbOund specta
tors. My pen cannot describe the havoc that was
the very recollection OF which caused my narrator
to pause TOR breath.
THE LAST BATCH.
Was Burriei now appeaseds Not at sill. for the
Niobe had not yet arrived. and, there being no ap-
pearance OF her on the evening OF the 7th, II
more victims we're ordered to the slaughter
house" on the following morning Poor fellows
they were mostly Cubans by birth, and like the
others met their fate herOically. They spoke to
those surrounding them In cheerful tones, and
even when pierced with bullets shouted aloud
sCuba Libre," dying like martyrs. This was the
last batch disposed of-in all So persons. AS in the
case OF the four first mentioned the bodies were
carted or 10 the graveyard where pits were dug,
SIX corpses, clothes and ALL being huddled together
in every hole. l have good reason for believing
that about as many more would have followed in
their wake, nearly all having been sentenced to
death or the changing but 10r
THE TIMELY ARRIVAL OF THE NIOBE
whose commander promptly protested in person
against the execution of any persons taken from
the virginius and claiming the protection of the
British government. This checked the appetites
OF the butchers, who, however. declined TO give
any information bearing upon the capture OF the
vessel or touching the nationality. Following this
came q manly and dignided protest from COmmo-
dore De Horsey, OF the English war steamer Danae,
in which he emphatically denounced the outrage in
unqualified terms
BURRIEL IN FEAR OF JUDGMENT
But nov the tide OF public opinion began TO low
towards the shores or Cuba Let 1t be known that
Burrel had never received the sanction OF his su-
periors for the commission OF the crime with which
he stands charged. AS the horror Of the deed be-
gan to unfold tself, now that the excite rent had
temporarily subsidized he saw that justice was on
his track, and, fearing more immediate vengeance
than he was, perhaps, prepared for, Burrel ned
to Havana. 1t Is the custom in this
ancient spot for the troops 10 turn
out in full force whenever the chief
official either comes or goes. In this
instance the withered warriors did not appear,
but rumor was abroad that Burriel was about to
run, whittier no one knew. Inquiries were set on
loot, but the report was promptly and audaciously
denied. 1t now appears that, at two O'Clock on
the morning OF the 18th inst, his bombastc Excel
lency sneaked on board the steamer bound or
Havana. Whether he has yet been elevated to the
yard arm OF an American man-ofwar have not
been advised; but have little doubt that, once in
the hempen moose, he will be hoisted with COM
mendaDle promptness. Thus the situation remains.
Fifty-three souls have already been sent to their
last account through the wanton barbarity OF a
cruel monster bereft OF every element OF manhood
and decency.
subJoin the following letters, which may, per.
haps, be read with interest in connection with the
sad affair -
CAPTAIN FRY TO PRESIDENT GRANT.
U. s. GRANT, President OF the United states OF
America
Mr.. PREsDENT-My resignation as lieutenant in
the United states Navy, dated January 70. 1881,
was accepted by the Navy Department; but no APP
pllcation Tor the pay due me has ever even replied
to. Unable to find employment in my native land
was forced to accept the first ofhce and what
leads to my death. The money due me, am In
clIned 10 believe, Will be paid to my family when 1t
Is known am dead. Will you see to itS ask 1t
OF you brother oflcer. II the questions OF the
had been lett TO the old officers OF the army
and navy there would have been no war; Cherish
both arms OF the service. for they are most free
from the taint that corrupts the land. My field of
usefulness TO the country has been abridged by
prescription. The carpet-bag policy Is runous TO
the land. Let Louisiana govern herself Her pros
perity Is that Of the whole country. 1t Is treason
TO do otherwise, Respectfully,
JOSEPH PRY.
Confederate states Navy.