Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-11-21
The Cuban Slaughter.

The whole country North and South is
in a war fever on account of the Spanish
butcheries in Cuba. Of the 1913 persons
on the Virginius, all but IS were executed,
and of the eighteen all except three were
sentenced to the galleys for terms varying
from three years to a lifetime. Among
the crew were many American citizens
and British subjects who the consuls ofthe
two nations tried to save but the Spanish
authorities closed the telegraph lines to
them and would not permit the life messa-
ges to pass over them. We gather from
newspaper accounts the following addition
al interesting facts:
THE MASSACRE OF THE CREW.
A telegram from Havana, viG Key West,
gives the following particulars respecting
the slaughter of the crew OF the VirginiuS
at Santiago de Cuba:
''On Friday morning, the 18th, thirty
seven of the crew of the VirginiuS were
brought on shore and taken to prison to
remain there until their execution which
was ordered for that afternoon. Captain
Fry, a noble looking old man, fully a head
taller than the rest of the crew. when he
lllCu lid lllCll Oll UllO WHO'LL, w ullO
march to the prison, saluted them ALL
The salute was returned with affection.
At 4:45 P. NJ. Captain Fry and thirty-six
men were publicly shot, despite the protest
Of all competent foreign authorities. The
marines were seven minutes killing the
wretched prisoners. 1t seemed as if they
would never finish.
At last the sailors marched off, and the
troops filed past the long row of corpses
then the dead-carts were hurried up and
loaded Unfortunately with the mangled
remains. The American consul has done
all that could have been done; indeed it
was threatened that his eXequator would
be withdrawn for his eXertions in behalf
Of the prisoners, In an interview with
General Burrill, this officer yelled at him
and otherwise treated him disrespectfully.
The British Consul also made an ineffectll-
al protest against the executions. 1t is
reported that sixteen of the victims were
British subjects.
A vIRGINIAN sLAIN.-LETTER FROM HIM.
Among those of the Virginius' crew was
Mai. Jack Harris, Of Louisa county, Va
He was brave man with restless spirit
of adventure, and enlisted in the Cuban
expedition. The following is copy of his
ldSU lGUUGI w ~ lIloIlu ILL w dSulllSS GOu
BLENDED HALL, JAMAICA,
October %, 1878. !
My Dear Colonel After a lively trip,
hig winds, fearful rains and hurricane,
we landed here safely on the 18th. Asone
gigantic wave swept over the bow another
took us aft and cleared the decks Of pro-
visions, chickens, baggage, &c. Such a
lively time / have not had the pleasure Of
seeing before. Since our arrival, times
have been quite lively. Generals Ryan
and Verona are the heroes Of the hour
have had balls and receptions every even
ing, and gay time in general. All the
elite were present Wine flowed freely and
many happy toasts were given.
'SThe expedition leaves tonight, and I
am confident Of its success. The prospects
are good, and probably ere this reaches you
we will be fighting in Cuba. Much de-
ponds upon the success of this expedition
and the combination abroad We take
only 800 men from this port, but we will
be joined by two other parties, and [ am
confident of success. General Ryan has
appointed me chief-of-scouts,w with the rank
of lieutenant-colonel. | am sure that Gen
eral Ryan has his heart in the cause Cuba s
freedom. The people seem to regard him
with great respect, and seem to regard his
going back as very important matter.
'Truly your friend,
"JACK G. HARRIS.
p. S. General Ryan was made Mason
last night"