The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-29
THE PRISONER OF war.
A Voice from the Dungeon Of
Fort Corona.
0XELLY IN THE TOLLS OF THE SPANlARDS
Details Of Our Cuban Commissioners
Adventures and Arrest.
-71 -------.. 100 i 1fi
MISTAKEN TRUST In SPANISH HONOR.
An Audience with the Governor
r-1 of Manzanillo.
nct ST -->------- OH lNeeLHa
COCKTAILS BEFORE CONFINEMENT.
Seizure Of the Notes and Letters of
Our Correspondent. sar
a9A 9c.-l0
How a Prisoner is Treated by
Spanish Officials. y,
O'Kelly's Arrangement Before a
Secret Military Tribunal.
He Refuses to Recognize
the Court. mg
An Attempt to Secure Perjured Evidence
@e Against the Prisoner. ~'
HE PLEADS TO THE CHARGES.
He Refuses to Recognize
the Court. s0 mus as
An Attempt to Secure Perjured Evidence
a~, Against the Prisoner. ~a
HE PLEADS TO THE CHARGES.
Prospect Of q PrOtracted Inn
prisOnment. 0
CALABozO, FORT. GERoNA,

There is no need OF apology for Understanding
address in beginning this letter. When last had
the pleasure OF sending few hurried lines to the
HERALD was seated in one OF the eaf-covered
huts which made up the residence OF the Repub-
ic.n Humble as my shelter was on that occasion
1t had one attraction which is never thoroughly
appreciated until we have ceased to enjoy it-lib-
erty. In the midst OF the so-called bandits and
escaped negroes' my person and my profession
were sacred, and was as free as the circumstances
would permit. Indeed, the only restraint Of which
could complain was imposed by nature. On all
sides the luxuriant forests tempted the en-
terprsing spirit to wander amid tropical
gl0rIes but the amusement could only be enjoyed
by those who had the benefit OF forest education,
and was therefore beyond my poor requirements.
Although had the feeling Of liberty in its widest
sense the physical obstacles kept me In some sort
. prisoner during my stay in Cuba Iibre, but at
least the moral atmosphere which / breathed was
redolent Of freedom. All that Is now changed and
for the blue skies, and the ever changing shadows
among the trees, the soft forest twilights, and the
gorgeous MONDAY glories, must needs content
myself with gazing on four white walls, and con-
sole myself with an occasional glimpse OF Heavens
vault caught through the bars Of my cell window.
This unpleasant transformation is due to the
Vaccinations OF the wicked spanish fairy who
rules over these parts, and to the condding sim
plicity Of the HERALD Special Commissioner. In
order to my friends the trouble OF discovering
the latter fact think 1t better to confess my
at once and plead with public opinion for pardon.
Nv fault was the fault OF generous, II somewhat
unsophisticated mind Notwithstanding all had
heard-and heard enough to make the hair stand
on timorous PERSONS head, and to freeze the
very currents OF the heart-I trusted the Spanish
authorities. Following the system have univers-
ally adopted since my arrival in this country re-
fused to believe the word Of Others and wished to
test every statement by my personal experience.
CONFIDING IN SPANISH CHIvALRY AND HONOR.
When my intention to return to the Spanish
lines was nrst announced to the insurgent leaders,
and declined to accept their offer to place me
safely in Jamaica, they looked at me IN amazement,
as one whom the gods had driven mad. "What,
trust yourself In the hands Of the Spaniards :"
they said; you will certainly be assassinated."
'That,"I replied, is exactly what people said in
New York before lett, and yet no one has inter-
Fered with me during my stay In the island. ! do
not entertain the same opinion OF the Spaniards
that you do II did would accept your offer and
go to Jamaica, but as do not will return to the
Spanish lines" This resolution fmine was received
with q general shaking Of heads, and until the
moment Iquit the Cuban forces forever the chiefs
we're never tired OF warning me OF the risk that
Spaniards had me In their power. 1t is not every
man that is fool enough to make experiments with
his own person, and whatever merit may be due
to sublime folly oil that nature 1 may fairly claim.
Unfortunately for my own comfort had read
'Don QHixote,n and IL has been one OF the
illusions OF my life that some tincture OF the
chivalry Of that noble ass was handed down
to the spaniards Of the present day. Sac
rifcng prudence, common sense and the
universal experience OF those with whom
had come into contact to this pet theory, left
the Cuban encampments, and at the risk OF my life
penetrated the Spanish lines arriving safely In the
town OF Manzanillo, and presenting myself to the
British Consul without any one In town having the
slightest idea OF the presence of the HERALD cor
respondent
THE PERILs OF THE oUTPosTs.
At this point let me pause to take breath. III
man always understood the full danger OF his acts
how much some lives would be changed II Ia
quite true that had vague feeling that, II
any OF the patrols, or outposts made me prts
oner, ! might be shot But 1t was far from
being conviction. Some lurking belief In the
chiyary theory unconsclously affected my resolu-
ton, and i half pooh-poohed the shooting idea
nnder any circumstances. 1t would be much more
heroic to make the public believe that felt assured
that II taken by the 0utposts would be shot; but
II would not be true, and 1t Is better to be on good
terms with ones conscience than enjoy hollow
reputation for q vaor which has n0exsterce.
Trained In the liberal opinions OF republican En-
rope, ! have an almost indestructble faith
In humanity, and It is almost Impossible
for me to believe in wanton barbarity or that men
viii slaughter for the pleasure Of staying. Notwith-
standing this generous faith It is satisfactory to
me that'the Spanish outposts took no notice OF q
strange looking man that walked by them in the
open day, endeavoring to appear as unconcerned
rs possible, but whose heat, 10 use popuarsm,
was in his mouth, during march OF nearly three
leagues. There was
DANGER or BEING STOPPED AT EVERY YARD
during thatnornings walk, and on one OCCASION
when snddcujy came on a soldier, who I think
was on sentry, Ifelt myself disappear in my boots.
or course this was not at all heroic. The
proper thing would have be;n to examiue