Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1873-12-16
BLOODY CUBA,
Captain Fry's Last Letter to His
Wife.
Philip. the King :"

The New Orleans Times publishes
the following extracts from the gallant
Fry's last letter TO his WIFE, 1t hreathes
n tenderness and purity in keeping
with such 4 soul. The writer who
made the transcript says the pages of
the original bore the impress of tears.
His reflections upon the Spanish gov
ernment, TO which he gave utterance
very forcibly, aud lis illusions 70 fdmi-
ly matters are omitted:
On BOARD THE SPANISH MAN-oF-l
WAR La TORNADO. ST. JAGo
DE- CUBA, Nov. =.
Deer, Dear Dita-When I left you
had no idea that we should lever meet
again in this world, but it seems strange
10 me that | should tonight. and Oh
Annie's birthday, be calmly seated, OH
a beautiful moonlight night, i'll u most
beautiful bay in Cuba, t0 take my last
leave OF you, my own dear. sweet wife,
and with the thought of your bitter
anguish my only regret at leaving.
] have been tried to-day and tie
president of the court martial asked
the favor of embracing me at parting,
aud clasped me To his heart. | have
shaken lIands with each of my judges;
and the secretary uf the court and in
terpreter have promised me as special
favor to attend my execution, which
will, | am told; he in "A very few hours
after my sentence Is pronounced. l
am told my death will be painless, in
short | have Lad very cheerful and
pleasant chat about my funeral. To
which | shall 20 in q few hours from
now, How soon | cannot say. 1t Is
curious 10 see how | make friends.
Poor Bambetta pronounced me gen
tlemau. and he WAS the brightest and
bravest creature [ ever saw.
The priest who gave me communion
on board this morning put double
scapular about my neck and a medal
which he intends 10 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 hum, and handsome
cross iu some fair ladys handiwurk.
These are to be kept rs relics o: me-
He embraced me atfectionately i'll my
room with tears in his eyes.
Dear sweetheart, you will be able TO
bear it for my sake, for Will be With
Vou if God permits it, Although |
know my hours are short and few, l
am not sad | feel i shall always be
with you right soon, dear Dita. and
YOU will not he afraid of me.
Pray for me, and l will pray with
YOU. There is to be a fearful
sacrifice of life from the Virginius, and,
as | think, a needless oIe, az the poor
neople are unconscious of crime and
even of their fate up to now. l hope
God will forgive If / am TO blame Tor
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; 1t will be as Gods angel of rest
this
/ hope my children will forget their |
fathers hnrshness and remember his /
anx. .ely for them. May they practice |
their religion. and pray for /
him ALWAYS. Tell-Lhat the |
last act of my life will be a profession
of NV tope and faith in Him, of whom
we need not be ashamed, and IL is not
honest 10 withhold that public ac-
k knowledgement from any false modes
ty or timidity. May God bless aud
save us all.
Sweet, dear, dear, Dita, we will soon
meet again. Till then auieu, for the
last time, Your devoted husband.
10 EIH FRY.
An eyewitness to the butcheFy Of
the thirty-seven states that Captain
vyy wee the only o-e sNled 81 re N~s'