The New York herald., 1873-12-30
THE VIRGINIUS PRISONERS.
Their Arrival in the City-A Mys-
teriouS Order and Fail
ure to Communicate.
Examination by District Attorney Bliss-A Lot
Of Innocents-The Men on Board the Ship
The Decentralization and March to
the City-Scenes and Incidents.

Iuo OAty-cCcuCS huu AuCluOuks,
On Wednesday last a steam tug moved out from
the Brooklyn Navy Yard, bound for Sandy Hook,
commissioned to bear orders ron Vice Admiral
Rowan TO the Commander OF tho man-ofwar
Junata, tnen hourly expected. with the Vlrginius
prisoners on board, directing that no one. incud-
ing members OF the press. should be allowed TO
communicate with the vessel or the people on
board without especial permission from headquar-
ters. An investigation, involving an examination
oi the prisoners, has been determined on by the
authorities at Washington, and It was not thought
proper that the situation OF such prisoners and the
stories they had to tell should be made public until
1t was completed The tug proceeded TO che ac-
compishment OF the task assigned 1t, and, 1t is to
be presumed, crulsed about the entrance OF the
harbor with as much comfort to those on board as
the tnclement weather would permit. II so hap
pened, however, that the Juniata, with her inter-
esting freight, passed Sandy Hook upon Sunday
WITHOUT BEING SIGHTED
by the expectant tug, and, all unconscious OF the
important orders awaiting her, moved up to Quar-
antine, and was there boarded not only by the
Doctor, but by certain ubiquitous individuals
ycept reporters, who were permitted free access
co the ship and the people on board, ana VINO
spread the story they there learned before the
world the following morning. OF the complete
ness OF the HERALD account the world Is aware.
At Quarantine it was ascertained that there were
no infectious diseases board but as two or
three OF the passengers were suffering severely
from dysentery IL was thought prudent TO send
them ashore there. The ship then proceeded to
point OF the Battery. where she anchored. About
three O'Clock she was boarded by United States
District Attorney Bliss, Hon. Lyman Tremain and
Othprs Official Sem-Of1icia character
from that moment
AN lawful CIRCLE"
was drawn around the vessel impenetrabe save
to those furnished with passes from the Admiral.
An examination OF the prisoners was at once
commenced and continued up to halfpast eight
O'Clock, when 1t was adjourned until this morning.
Meanwhile the Juniata moved up to the Navy Yard
and cast anchor there. The examination of the
prisoners was resumed this morning about ten
O'Clock and was continued until three O'CLOCK
when District Attorney Bliss came on shore, with
his assistant stenographers, and at once pro-
ceeded TO the quarters OF the Admiral, with whom
he was closeted for half an hour. Meanwhile the
Navy Yard mad become thick with the representa-
tives Of the press, delegation from Los Amigos de
Cuba, men and women having friends among those
so fortunately saved from spanish vengeance, or
hoping to find such, while trembling lest
the loved ones should be found to be among those
massacred against the slaughter house wall IN
detested Santiago. Anxious and eager were the
applications made by all parties for permission to
go on board the Juniata. The same chilling
response met every one, mo permits are glven,'i
and even poor washerwoman, known in the yard
for more than 20 years, though rowed of IN the
ships boat, was compelled to return without lul-
filing her mission OF cleanliness. The District
Attorney finally appeared from his interview with
the Admiral and was at once surrounded by the
waiting crowd. "Gentfemen." he said, "the pris-
oners are all TO be released Immediately. Such
desire will be sent to the receiving ship; tine
shnyc af tn pO WI hay n Won
can all go on board II you choose" The satisfied
listeners at once moved toward the wharf. headed
by ocer stationed in the yard, who escorted two
ladies in deep mourning and profoundly agitated.
After some little delay tug was obtained and the
PTy on 70 ta ne +
ship the prisoners, who had been anxiousy
pecting their friends and sympathizers, crowded
TO the side and were eagerly scanned by those on
the tug. Mutual recognitions soon began with
electrical effect. From both sides arose
WAS AND HURRAHS
which were more than half sobs. A gentleman
who recognized his two brothers among the
prisoners waved his hat in the most frantic man
slty OF his emotion and terminating in a dreary
wall. In the pilot house meanwhile were seated
the women IN black, with no heart to look over
tion Of the sorrowful news before them. The tug
soon attached 70 the side OF the vessel and the
Cubans were the first on board Sprnging to the
deck they rushed in among the crowd OF prison.
ers seizing one after the other in their arms and,
with the fervent embrace Of that people, poured
out broken words Of congratulatfon. There were
many negroes among the passengers, and these
were treated with an impartiality which would
have satisfied the most ardent supporter OF the
Civil Rights bill, being hugged and congT Tatuated
intensely as the Others. The ladies In mourning
were quietly escorted to the captains cabin and
Mr.. Charles A. knight, one OF the engineers OF the
Vrginius, was sent to tell them Of the late or their
relative. As the excitement consequent on our
arrival quieted down somewhat, and the men were
enabled TO talk nationally they became extremely
communicative aud ready TO
RECIIE THEIR EXPERIENCES
m Woud listpn hovn olraa
appeared in the columns OF the HERALD, and need
not be repeated here. Several OF them stated that
lsh soldiers and officers who were guarding them
that they were to be taken out and shot at an
early hour with threats and taunts calculated to
excite their fears, there were others among the
officers who denied these statements ana told them
that the Juniata had arrived to take them to the
United States They greeted the announcement
that rney were at liberty and were to be taken in
charge by the Cubans with cheers, and at once
oDeyed the order to fall into line. Haversacks blan
kets and soap were then distributed to them,
during which was an excellent opportunity to
study their appearance and condition. The
misiakable Cuban type, with angular fea-
lures and swarthy complexion. There was
however, occasionally an Anglo-Saxon face, and
more often the darker lIneaments or the negro.
Though very thin in flesh, they seemed, with one
or two EXCEPTIONS very healthy, and were all in
such spirits as men snatched from the jaws OF
death naturally would be. Though warmly clad
in sailors clothing, including thick overcoat.
many or them shuddered with the severity OF cll-
triDution over, Lieutenant DE Long, who was In
command OF the snip, in the absence OF Comman-
der Braine- called away by the death or his child
took his station at the gangway, list In hand and
as he called the names the men stepped, one alter
the other. upon the tug IN waiting. AS the last
man left the vessel there emerged from the cabin
the two women in mourning and plunged
in the profouDdest grief. Their worst fears
had been reaIzed-the near relative they
had with fear and trembling. hoped to greet, was
among the murdered and ouried in far on Cuba
Inquiry showed tney were the sister ana aunt OF
John Williamson, VINO had shipped as an oiier and
was subsequently promoted 70 be assistant en-
gineer. The universal testimony or those who
knew him was that he was ignorant OF the destina-
ton the virgnius and guiltless Of offence against
his murderers. The men dlsembarked at the Navy
Yard. Here Garage was provided for one or
two sick ones and the balance formed In line and
headed by the Cubans, marched 10 Fulton Ferry
cad III sailors uniform and with their white navre
sacks thrown over their shoulders, they attracted
ted much attention as they passed along, and the
magic words the "vrglnins prisoners,n were
heard on every side. Crossing the Jerry they were
taken to the restaurant OF J. Trujnlo, In Pine
where a sill larger number their friends