Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-12-09
CAPT FRY'S LETTER TO HIS WIFE.

The New Orleans Tunes publishes tho fol-
loving extracts from the gallant Fry's last let
ter to his wife. 1t breathes tenderness and
purity in keeping with such SOUL The writ
er who made the transcript says the pages Of
the original bore the impress of tears His re-
hectious upon the Spanish government, to
which he gave utterance very forclbly, and his
illusions to family matters, are omitted
On BOARD SPANISH MAN.oF-wAR LA
TORNADO, ST JAGo DE CUBA, Nov. 6
Deor Dear Dta. left you | had
no idea that we should never meet again in
this world, but it seems strange to me that |
should to- uight, and on Aunie's birthday, be
calmly seated, on beautiful moonlight night,
in a most beautiful bay in Cuba. to take my
last leave OF you, my uwa dear, sweet wife, and
with the thought Of your bitter anguish my on
ly regret az leaving.
| have been tried to day and the president OF
the court martial asked the favor of embracing
me at parting, aud clasped me to his heart. |
have shaken hands with each of my judges;
aud the secretary of the court and Interpreter
have promised me as special favor to attend
my execution, which will am told, be in a
very few hours after my sentence is pronounce
ed. am told my death will be painless: in
short, have had a very cheerful and pleasant
chat abnut my funeral, to which shall go in
few hours from now. How soon cannot yet
say. Ii is curious to see how [ make friends.
Poor BamGetta pronounced me gentleman,
aud lie was the brightcs, aud bravcst creature
| ever saw.
The priest who gave me communion on board
this morning put double scapuar about my
neck and a medal which he Intends to wear
himself \ young Spanish officer brought me
bright new silk badge with the Blessed Vir
gin stamped upon 1t to wear to my eXecut0u,
for him, and a handsome cross 10 some fair
lady's handiwork These are to be kept as re-
lies of me. He embraced me afect!onately in
my room with tears in his eyes.
Dear sweetheart, you will be able to bear it
for my sake, for will be with you if God per-
mits it. Although know my hours are short
and few, am not sad. feel shall always
be with you right soon, dear Dita, aud you will
not be afraid of me.
Pray for me, and will pray with you
There is to be a fearful sacrifice OF life
one. as the poor people are UNCONSCIOUS of crime
and even of their fate up to now | hope God
will forgive if au to blame for it.
If you write to President Grant he will pro-
badly order my pay due, when | resigned, paid
TO YOU after niy death. People will be
kind TO you uow, 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
l hope my children will forget their fathers
harshness and remember his love and anxiety
for them. May they practice regularl y their
religion, and pray for him always.
Tel.-hat the last act of my life will be
public profession OF my faith and hope in Him,
of whom VIC need not be ashamed, and it is not
honest to withhold that public acknowledge
mept from any false modesty or timldity: May
God bless and save us all.
Sweet, dear, dear Dita, we will soon meet
again Till then adieu, for the last time.
Your devoted husband, JOSEPH Fry.
An eye witoess to the butchery OF the thirty
seven states that Captain Fry was the only one
killed at the first voIley, and that the others
We're dispatched, after being wounded, by the
marines placing ihe muzzes Of their muskets
in their eyes. mouths, and ears, aud literally
blowing their heads off