The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-12-11

The New Orleans Times publishes t.
following extracts Of the last letter of thu
brave and fearless Captain Fry, addressed t
to his wife q few hours only before his exc
cution. :. The portions omitted are his refiec
tons upon the action of the late Spanish gov
eminent, and his illusions to family matters
i On Board THE SPANISH MANOR ]
i WAR LA TORNADO, ST. JAao DE I
i CUBA, Nov. 6.
Dear, Dear Dita-When I left you had
no idea that we should never meet again IN
this world, but it seams strange to me that
should tonight, aud on Armies birthday, be
calmly seated, on beautiful moonlight night,
in a most beautiful bay in Cuba. to take my
last leave of you, nv own dear, sweet wife,
and with the thought of your bitter anguish
my only regret Of leaving.
l have been tried to-da and the president
Of the court marshal asked the favor of en-
bracing me at parting, and clasped me to his
heart. I have shaken hands with each Of
my judges and the secretary Of the court
and Interpreter have promised ME as spe-
cial favor to attend TO my execution, which
will, | am told, be in very few hours after
my sentence is pronounced. 1 am told my
death will be painless; in short | have very
cheerful and pleasant chat about my funeral,
to wkich shall 60 in few hours from now.
How soon I cannot yet say. It is curious
to see how make friends Poor Bamhetta
pronounced me gentleman, and he was the
brightest and bravest creature ever saw.
The priest who gave me communion on
board this morning put double scapular a.
bout my neck and medal which he intends
to wear himself A young Spanish officer
brought me bright new silk badge with the
Blessed Virgin stamped upon it to wear to
my execution, for him. and a handsome cross
in some fair lady's handiwork. These arc to
be kept as relics Of me. He embraced me
aaectionately in my room with tears in his
eyes. s%.
Dear sweetheart, you will be able to bear it
for my sake, for I will be with you if God
permits it, Although know my hours are.
short and few, am not sad. / feel l shall
always be with you right soon, dear. Dite, and
you will pot be afraid Of me,
Pray for me, and will pray with you
x x There is to be fearful sacrifice Of
life from the Virginius, and. as | think, a
needless one, as the poor people are uncon-
scious of crime, and even of their fate up to
now. l hope God will forgive if 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. 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 rest
remember this. *
I hope my children will forget their "a
theirs harshness and remember his love and
anxiety for them. May they practice regu
larly their religion, 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 acknowledgment from any false
modesty or timidity. May God bless and
save us all x y
Sweet, dear. Dita, we will soon meet again.
TIL then adieu. for the last time.
Your devoted husband,
JOSEPH Fry
An eye. witness to the butchery of the
thirty. seven. states that Captain Fly was the
only one killed at the first volley, and that
the others were dispatched, after being
wounded, by the marines placing the muzzles
of their muskets in their eyes, mouths, ears,
and literally blowing their heads off,