Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-11-17
LATEST TELEGRAMS.
AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION. VIA s. P. AND A.
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Specials 20 the Ledger.
NEW YORK.

NEW DIRK, november ia AihSo
special from Havana the 10th gives the
following account Of the capture OF the
Virginius: The Tornado, which made
the capture, was cruising on the Slst OF
October under sail, about eighteen miles
from the Cuban coast. In the afternoon
she sighted steamer about SIX miles
distant, heading towards her. Her cap
tain at once ordered steam to be got up,
and soon observed that the strange
steamer had altered her course and
headed for the coast of Jamaica, distant
about one hundred miles. The Spanish
captain at once suspected, from this
unusual movement, that the steamer was
the Virginius. He ordered the engineer
to get up all steam possible, even if they
burst the boilers, and to drive the en-
gines to their utmost speed. The Tor
nado under full Roadway showed such
speed that it was clear in a long chase
she would certainly overhaul the
stranger. She gained steadily, but as
night was coming on, the Spanish captain
feared he would lose sight of the vessel.
The moon, rising, however, he was ena.
bled by keeping hands on the masthead
and rigging, to keep a sharp lookout.
The steamer was kept in sight until she
had recovered sufficiently to bring her
guns to bear on her. The scene on
board was one of great excitement, for
it was evident that, for whatever reason,
she was anxious to escape. 1t was OBJ
served the cargo was thrown overheard,
and empty boxes and other material
hoated past the Spaniards. A shot was
fred, but she made no reply. -Four 9TH
ers were fred in succession. The last shot
was fred at ten pm, and Immediately
the steamer which had led the corvette
a chase of nearly eight hours hove to.
Two boats were lowered and pulled
alongside. They met no'resistance on
boarding the steamer, which they had
now discovered beyond a doubt to be
the Virginius. They took possession Of
her by pulling down the American flag,
which the Virginius had displayed
throughout the chase, and hoisted the
Spanish flag instead. Captain
Fry, commander of the Virginius, in
the usual manner, handed over the
steamers papers for examination by the
officer in command Of the boarding
party, and that officer at once took
charge, and both vessels headed for
Santiago de Cuba. On the first Of No
vember, at five o'clock in the afternoon,
they arrived at Santiago de Cuba. Pro
ceedings we're Immediately began
against the captains and pilots, and
Notwithstanding the protest Of the Uni
ted States Vice Consul at that port, they
were condemned, and on the morning Of
the 4ih Of November four we're shot. A
naval court martial was then organized
for the trial Of Captain Fry aud crew Of
the Virginius. They we're, Of course,
condemned after the most expeditions
trial, and on the It'll the captain, first
and second mates and four seamen we're
shot. On the sih twelve Of the So
called expeditionisis we're shot, and on
the 10th fty-seven more we're put 10
death.
The latest reports from Santiago de
Cuba is that only eighteen Of the entire
ships company, consisting Of one hun
bred and sixiy-nine. viii be saved. Some
Of these are TIE engineers. and, il is
assumed, were not aware Of the nature
Of the voyage. and the others are sailors.
Oniy four. it is nov stated, viii escape,
and The remainder of those not shes sin
be condemned 10 the chain-EauE.
There vas an unusual large attend
ance % the Plymouth Church. Brook.