The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1873-11-20
The Virginius.

New YORK, Nov. ia letter from
Havana gives an account of the capture
of the Virgimius, from which it appears
that on October 30th the Spanish con-
sui at Kingston advised the governor
at Santiago dc Cuba that the Virginius
was in the vicinity of MOrrant bay.
The Spanish war steamer Tornado had
that morning arrived at Santiago de
Cuba, and four hours after the gov
ernor received the information Of the
Virginius, she went in search Of the
Virginius. The following day the Tor
nadO, under full sail and with but little
steam, as some repairs were being
made to her machinery, came in sight
of the Virginius, which probably sup
posed the Tornado a sailing vessel, as
her course was not changed. On the
Tornado every effort was made to
hasten the repairs they were engaged
in, and at 2 O'Clock the engineer an
nounced it completc. All the steam
possible was Immediately got up and
and the vessel'beaded for the Virgini-
us, soon reaching speed of fourteen
knots and slowly gaining upon her.
The Virginius had in the meantime
kept on her course, but divining the
hostile intentions of the Tornado, she
changed it toward Jamaica, and being
out OF coal, commenced TO burn Pc
troleum. grease, fat and other combus-
tibles. Night closed in and the vessels
were in the same relative positions, the
Tornado, however gaining. As soon
as they got within gun shot, the Tor
nado fired gnn, followed by three
Il hnn oht
the Virginius to. and two armed boats
from the Tornado came along side,
took position of the vessel and made
prisoners of all on board.
AT the time of capture the Virginius
was flying the American flag, but this
was pulled down by the Spanish Off
GERS, and the Spanish flag was hoistcd
in its place. although papers Of the YES
sci were duly dispatched for Colon
were handed to them after the capture.
The next two hours were employed in
Transporting some of the prisoners to
the Tornado, and putting prize crew
on the NirginiuS. At midnight the
vessels started for Santiago de Cuba.
and arrived the following day at five
o'clock in the afternoon, having been
icined bv the Spanish steamer Contra
band. Upon arrival in port the intel
ligence spread like lightning ,,and at
tracted an immense crowd of people.
The government palace and other pub
lie buildings were Illuminated, and all
the authorities. civil and military, went
to fclicitate Governor Burriel upon the
news, who gave a brilliant reception.
The vessels were surrounded by num-
Der of boats filed with bands of music
and volunteers. The festivities were
kept up late into the night. The fol-
lowing day court martial was held on
board the Tornado, which commenced
at 9 O'Clock and terminated at 4 O'Clock.
All were tried as pirates. and the find
ings of the court and sentences were
sent 10 the captain general and admi-
raj in scaled package. After the
court had concluded its task all the
prisoners, with the exception OF Benz
beta, Jesus del Sol. General Ryan and
Pedro Cespedes, were transferred to
Jail to the number of thirty, aud escort
ed BY n force of one hundred volunteers
and number of mariners.
Governor Burriel. it is said, coolly
asked that all the prisoners should be
tuTIlcu ONcT W MN, WIN tut cACcptioi
of the captain and crew. who should be
sent to Havana at the disposal Of Com
mandant-Gencral Demarinas, and de-
clared that within twenty-four hours
afterwards all should be executed in
order TO avoid any complication with
the exterior: that is, with foreign in
terycntion. He also detained tele-
gram which the United States consul
had decided To forward to the United
States consul at Kingston. reporting
the capture and in4uiring as to the ma
tionality of the Nirginius.
The Virgiaius had its papers in or
der and was dispatched for Colon, all
the passengers appearing on the papers
as .aborers for railroad that 10 build
ing there. Ii seems that the Virginius
shortly after the departure Of the
French steamer for Santiago de Cuba,
left Jamaica on the Path ult. 1t was
the intention of the expedition to sail
for Cuba direct, but slight damage
to her machinery obliged them TO enter
the port of Hayti. This thcylcft, touch
ing at Port All Prince, Hayti, and an
other port of the same island on the
30th. upon which day they concluded
TO sail for Cuba and attempt a landing.
aud upon which day the information
that proved to be so disastrous to those
on board was given the authorities at
Santiago de Cuba.