National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-11-28
The Capture OF the virglnins.
OfnciaI Report OF the Capture by tn
Commander OF the Tornado.

Commander Of the Tornado
Costilla, the COMMANDER OF the Toi
made, has made the following repor
OF the chase, capture and boarding o
the Virginius to the naval authorities a
Havana. II is dated from Santiago d.
Cuba
In conformity with orders received
by me, ms commander Of the corvette
Tornado, 10 carefully watch the coas
between Cape Cruz and Santiago d.
Cubn, ! left the latter port on the 2otl
OF October On that night | cruised IL
close proximity to the land between tn,
points indicated, being led to believe
by certain calculations that, whatever
might be the manmuvres OF the Virgin
JUS during the night, it was evident that
during the day she must lilo well of,
partly to avoid being seen and partly to
reserve her resources until the proper
moment for landing should arrive. Dur.
ing the night of the 30th inst. we con.
tinued our cruise without Incl
dent, and had started on new
course at daybreak, the next
morning, when the man on the lookout
reported seeing the smoke of n steamer,
proceeding in the direction of Jamaica.
With the view OF ascertaining what she
was, and at the same time to save as
much fuel as possible, we followed her,
hugging the coast for about Is miles,
when she changed her course to south
east by south.
From the first moment that we saw
her there was great activity on board,
the whole of the steam power from all
the boilers being brought into requisi-
ton, and at about half-past two o'clock
in the afternoon we commenced to give
chase.
The position and course of the yes
sci principally, if for not other reasons,
led me to believe that this craft was
none other than the filibuster Vir-
ginius, for imagined that she was pro-
ceeding from Jamaica to Cuba when we
saw her, but failing, under the circum-
stances, to land on the island of Cuba,
she had turned about again for Jamaica.
These suspicious were confirmed by her
sudden change of course and the evil
dent activity on board to make all the
speed possible, as flames could be seen
emanating with the smoke from her
tunnels. In addition to this we now
saw, by the light of the moon, when
she changed her tack, her two smoke
stacks and paddle-boxes. ] instructed
the engineer to carry on all steam pos.
sible and drive our vessel through the
water as quickly as he could. Owing to
the darkness, We thought she was about
five miles ahead, and hoped to overhaul
her befole she made Point Movante.
AT half-past nine, while in her i'm.
mediate neighborhood, we fred five
shots, and shortly afterwards sent out
two boats, under the command of Don
Enrique Pardo and Don Angel Ortiz,
with orders to take possession of the
Virginius in the name of the Spanish
nation. The report of these officers has
already been made, and | content my
self with informing you that, at eleven
o'clock at night, the Virginius, flying
The Spanish flag, was headed towards
Cuba, having on board prize crew,
after we had removed the bulk of the
prisoners on board our vessel. |
The cargo of arms and war munition
was thrown overheard during the chase,
but the empty cases fell into our pos
session, including cartridges and othor
which are included in the in
7entory which | have already handed
II to the authorities.
The enthusiasm of the crew simply
,aflies description, when success crown
I'd our efforts. The prisoners were
reated with such consideration as their
character deserved and the necessity of |
heir safe keeping demanded. The
'lrglnlus, under our convoy, reached
santiago de Cuba on November |. at
i've o'clock in the evening, when our
rival was made the signal of a genuine
of patriotic enthusiasm.
The Importance of this expedition,
7hen the number and rank of the pris-
ners are considered, cannot be over
ated. In addition to the severe lesson
hat we have given to the enemies of
pain, the capture has made the IN
abitants of Santiago deli1ious with
Enthusiasm. / make no reference to
he conduct of our men, but will simply
ay that their conduct, from the highest
the lowest, is worthy of all praise,
nd when l say that the men were
paniards, working for Spanish inter
SITS, you will understand ALL Upon my
rival in port here gave official in
'rmation of the capture to the author
les, and what must now follow has to
e dictated by the officers of Justice.
4 conclusion 1 have only to add that /
congratulate all the officers of the Tor
ado, from the highest to the lowest, for
he severe lesson that they have given
, the enemies of our country.
nTnNJCIn