The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1873-12-13
The Massacre of the Grew of
the YiTginius.
THE sICKENING DETAILS BY AN EYE
WITNESS.


Capt, Pryor, of the brig Azalia, which
arrived at her dock in New York har-
Dor, few days ago, from Santiago de
Cuba, states that he was the only Ame-
rican who witnessed the massacre of
the 81 passengers and crew of the Vir-
ginius, including Capt. Fry, on the
afternoon of November 9th, and that
the accounts previously published were
more or less incorrect. He says
brought the Azalia to anchor in San
tiago de Cuba harbor. outside of the
fort, on the morning of November 5, and
sent for permission from the authorities
to moor the brig alongside the quay or
wharf, which runs out some distance
into the harbOr. There is only one
wharf, and all vessels receive and dis
charge their cargoes on it. The head
of the whaif is left clear for landing.
had been so busy getting the brig
abreast of the the wharf that ! did not
notice anything unusual in the town or
harbOr But after the brig had been
secured, l saw the Virginus.l lying under
the guns of the fort, and the men. of. war
and gunh0ats were anchored in a semi
circle about her was then told by
the masters of the other vessels which
lay at the wharf that three men from
tie Virginius-Gens. Ryan, Del oil and
Varona had been taken ashore and
shot early that morning. The VirgniuS
was tOwed into the harbOr late the pre-.
vi0uS evening, and these three men were
shot without the slightest form of trial
or Investigation of any kind. ..
About noon boats from the Tornad o
landed several officers o. the wharf.
They returned soon afterward accom-
panied by the authorities of the town,
who had BEEN asked to assist in trying
the passengers and crew of the Virgin
ius. The excitement increased in the
town, and at about four o'clock nearly
the entire populace gathered in the
neiGhhOrhood of the wharf
Boats were put off from the Tornado,
and the entire crew and passengers
taken on the Virginus We're landed on
the wharf, where a strong escort of
cavalry and intan'ry had been drawn
up in open order, The prisoners were
marched together in fours.
AS soon as they were landed the body
marched up the wharf to the prison.
whl"h is on the right side of the road, 4,
into the town, and but short distance
from the head of the wharf.
The prisoners expected to be released
Immediately, and were in the best of
spirits, laughing and joking with each
other, wholly unpreplIed for the terri
bIe tragedy that was so soon to be en-
acted.
At the prison 81 were selected, in.
Guiding Capt Fry, who were marched
to one side, closely followed by body
OK men-ot wars men, armed with Spen-
Car rifles. Then these prisoners knew
they were to be shot.
endeavored to speak to some of the
condemned men, but was roughly forced
back by the volunteers who acted as
guards. The other prisoners were lock.
ed up in the prison. All of the con-
demned party were in irons except
Capt. Fry, who bravely marched at the
head of his men with firm step and
his head up.
The party marched up the street and
turned off to the left at the cemetery.
When they reached the "a metery gates,
the prisoners were aligned with their
faces toward the cemetry wall, and the
men-Oi-war's men who made up the
firing party were drawn up behind them.
In a semi-circle behind the firing party
were the volunteers in strong force of
cavalry and infantry, and behind them
dense thTong of the populace. ! stood
on the lett between the lines formed by
The six cats which We're to carry off
the dead bodies were drawn up on the
other side OF the cemetery.
THE BUTCHERY.
The officer in comma nd Of the firing
party, who stationed himself on the
right of his men, ordered the prisoners
to kneel. Capt. Fry took OFF his hat as
he knrlt, and yol.ey from the firing
party at once followed. The victims
fell OH their faces, the shrieks of the
wounded tlled the air, and the SCENE
was the most horrible | ever witnessed.
Nor words or pen can describe it. While
the wounded were writing in their
agony, the firing party advanced and
fired six more vUlleys into th.ir victims.
The last shots were fired with the lnuz-
Zles of the guns almost touching the
bodies. Captain Fry was killed at the
first vOlley.
| then advanced to the ceme terry wall
and walked slowly past the 81 bodies.
When mad reached that of Capt. Fry
saw that he had been shot through the
lead and heart both. | had stood theie
but moment when the carts were
drawn up, ANA the commanding officer
ordered the bodies to be thrown in and
taken away. IN.Hl ..
Captain Fry's body was thrown into
the bottom Uf the irst cart aud six H.
ers were pitched un top of him. Four
OF the mems heads hung over the edge
OF the cart the blu"d dripping from tie
hair anu their eyes wide open, rolling
with every motion ut the cart. .. '.
4 he Utntr carts We're iillrd with six
bosiies zach, and they Nrre all drawn
into II field ,just bry0ud the town, and
duinped in a large hole.
AS | returned " the brig, saw by
the faces OF large part of The populace
that they did not sympathize with the
autilQTitles who had 80 sunmaruy ext