The Louisiana cotton-boll. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], Attakapas, La.) 1872-1883, 1874-01-14
The VTRGINTUS.

The lnYestlgatlOn as to the character
of the VII ruR will be conducted in New
York. ne Government is powerlcss to pro-
oeed against Patterson, to whom the register
for the vessel was issued, on account of the
statute of limitations
The Virginius prisoners surrendered
at Santiago say that when the officers from
the Tornado boarded the Virginiua. one of
them in hauling down the flag of the United
States, tore it into ribbons and trampIed on
it, asserting, with an oath, TINS is what I
have wanted"
The EpocG publishes a letter from
Gen. Sickles declaring that early in the Virgin
ius dispute the Intransigentes of Madrid pro-
posed to make demonstration hostile to the
United States. The Ep0ca denies that there
"was any such intention and regrets that Gen.
sickIes took no pains to contradict the dis
patch from America reporting that such de-
monstration had actually taken place.
As Spain has proven to the satisfac-
ton of the United States, according o the At
tornsy Generals opinion, that the Yirginius
was at the time Of her capture carrying the
United States flag without right and improper
Iy, the salute to the flag will be dispensed
with, as now not necessarily requirable; but
the United States will expect a disclaimer of
any intent of indignity to it's flag in the act
which was committed.
The London Times, alluding to the
report that Spain has made demand upon
the United States for the restoration of the
Vrginius and the survivors surrendered at
Santiago de Cuba, says such action on the part
of Spain would be premature. Despite the
opini, of the Attorney Central of the United
States that the Virginius had no right to carry
the American flag, Spain must wait until the
United States Court has settled the casgof the
vessel, before proceeding further in the mat
ter.
The situation in Santiago de Cuba is
reported as very serious. Only a week ago
twenty-five citizens we're arrested, and after
a mock trial, without any evidence being ad-
duced against them, they were told to go
home. On the way they were cruelty way
laid and killed, only one escaping. He was
riddled with bullets. Americans are continu-
ally in fear for their lives, and bitterly COM
plain that nothing has been done to redress
their wrongs. 1t is not safe for an American
officer to go ashore alone at Santiago. All
along the river line the Spaniards are erecting
new batteries
The Tribune's Key West telegram
gives an account of the surrender of the Vir-
ginius prisoners to Lieutenant Commander
Braine, of the Juniata. 1t appears that the
Spanish authorities to the last moment kept
the poor prisoners in ignorance of their pros
pective release, and with base inhumanity led
them to suppose that they were to be eexecuted.
Priests were with them taking their confess
sions and dying declarations, and imploring
them to look to God for pardon. They were
taken out Of prison in despair, but on their
way to the slaughter-pen, as they supposed,
their eyes fell upon the Juniata flying the flag
Of the United States. When they realized the
truth a scene occurred which beggars descrip-
ton The enthusiasm knew no bounds. They
were speedily transferred to the deck of the
Juniata and gave vent to the most extravagant
but touching demonstrations of joy, embrac-
ing each other, some crying, some kissing, and
others audibly Offering thanks to the Almighty
for their deliverance from the horrors Of their
dungeon and the prospects of an ignominous
death On the night before the surrender the
officers and crew of the Juniata were stationed
at quarters. Her guns being turned on the
city. The Spanish volunteers having been ex-
cited to an open riot by the rumor that the
surrender was to take place, q large number of
volunteers went in body to the governors
palace and begged permission TO attempt the
capture OF the Juniats, saying that they conld
do It with knives alone. The governor refused
to grant permission. Our officers believe that
the application vas made in earnest, and not o
few regret that it was not favorably enter
tanned, as the Juniata sione, not to speak of
the Kansas and Pinta, would have been more
than match for their assailants. On tho
arrival OF the Pinta at Santiago, orders came
to the ship from Commander Braine for the
paynaster to issue al the blankets and pea
jackets in his department to the prisoners,
who were hardly fit to be seen in their rags.
This was speedily done, but as there was still
great destitutioD orders came for every man
ON board to give their own blankets and.wear-
ing apparel in the good cause, the promise be-
ing made that aIl would be replaced on tie ar
rival of the ship at Key West. The officers
and men oh erfully complied with this order,
only preferring that it should be. issued as .
request, in which case they would have obeyed
with as much alaerity. Every heart was
touched By the pitable condition Of the piis-
oners. The poor fellows report that they
were barberoHsly treated The surrender took
place at Moro Castle, seven miles below Santi-
ago. A receipt wGs given for the prisoners
II was reported in Santiago that when II was
found thst the Yirgiaius had been towedo Of
the harbor Of Haysna, . large number OF naval
oifesrs Of high grade rendered their reaigna-
Jon 70 the home government by telegraph,