Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-12-24
SAFE AT LAST.
The Prisoners from the Virginius Sur
rendered TO Comma ndsr Braine of
the United States Ship Juanita
Scenes on Board.
and Thanksgiving Of the
Poor FellOws-Their SufFeriugs I'm
PriSOn-Excitemeut Among the
Volunteers, Etc.

New YORK, December 23.-The TIi6une's
/ Key West telegram gives an account of the
| surrender OF the Nirginius prisoners to Lieu
tenant-COmmander Braine of the Juniata
/ II appears that the Spanish authorities, 10 the
last moment, kept the poor wretches in ig-
norance OF their prospective release, and with
base inhumanity, led them to suppose that
they were TO be executed. Priests were with
them, taking their confessions and dying
declarations, and impioring them to look to
God for pardon. They were taken out of
prison In despair, but on their way to the
slaughter-pen, as they supposed, their
EYES fell upon the Juniata, flying the
nag OF the United States. When they realized
the truth, a scene occurred which beggarS de-.
scripuOn. The enthusiasm knew no bounds.
They were speedily transferred % the deck Of
The J uniata, and gave vent to th ? most extrav-
agant but touching demonstT ltiOns Of Joy,
embracing each other, some cTyang, some kiss
ing, and Others audibly Offering thanks TO the
rOrs Of tneir dungeon and the prospect of an
tgnOminOus death. On the night before the
surrender, the Officers and crew OF the Juniata
were stationed at their quarters, and
her guns turned on the city, the
spanish volunteers having been ex-
cited TO an open riot by the rumOr
that the surrender was TO take place. A large
number Of volunteers went IN body TO tue
governors palace and begged permission to
altempt the capture OF the Juniata, saying
that they could DO IL with knives alone. The
governor refused T. grant permission. Our
officers believe tn8t the application was made
IN earnest, and not q few regret that IL was
not favOTably entertained, as the Juniata
alone, not 10 speak Of the Kansas and Pinta,
would have been more than match for their
sSsailsnts On the arrival of the Pint2 at
santiago, orders came TO the ship
nom Commander Braine for the pay
m 5ster to issue all the blankets
and pea-j jackets In his department 10 the pris
oners, who were hardly it to be seen in their
rags. This was speedily cone, but, as there
wss still great deStitutiOn, orders came for
every man on board tOgive their own blank
cts ana wearing appasei TO the good cause,
promise being made that all would be re-
turned ON the arrival OF the ship at Key West.
. ue officers and men cheeTfully complied
with this order, only prefeTring that IL shou
be issued as a request, in which case they
would have obeyed with just as much alacrity.
Every heart was touched by the pitiable con
dition OF tue prisoners. The poor fellows re-
port that they were barGarousiy treated. The
surrender took place at Moro Castle, six miles
below Santiago. A receipt was given for the
prisoners. 1t was reported in Santiago that
when II was found that the NirginiuS had
been towed out of the haIbOr OF Havana, q
rendered their designations to the home gov
eminent by telegraph.
OUTRAGE TO THE FLAG.
NEW York, December pa dispatch 10 the
Tribune from Key West contains the follow
ing: The NlrgiEtus prisoners, surrendered
at Santiago, say that when the officers from
the Tornado boarded the Nirginus one OF
lhem, in hauling down the flag Of the United
states, tore il lntO ribbons ana Jrampled on it,
asserting, with an oath: This is what ! have
anted. The situation il Santiago de Cuba
is reported to be very serious. only a week
ago twenty-five citizens were arrested, and,
gfter mock trial, without any evidence be
ing adduced against them, they were told TO
20 home. On the way they were cruelty way
la.d and killed, only one escaping. He was
rlddled with bullets. The Americans are con-
jiDualiy Ia fear for their lives, and bitterly
com plain thai nothing has been done TO re-
dress their wrongs. II IS not safe for an
American officer to 60 ashore alone at Sanu-
ago. All along the river is a line of Spaniards
erecting new Latteries.