The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1874-01-02
The VIRGINTUS.


The investigation as to the character
of the Viz. nIs will be conducted in New
York. me Government is powerless to pro-
ceed 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 Virginius, one of
them in hauling down the flag of the United
States, tore it into ribbons and trampled on
il, asserting, with an oath, ''Tnis is what
have wanted"
The EPOco publishes 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 EpOcd denies that there
was any such intention and regrets that Gen.
sickles took no pains to contradict the dis
patch from America reporting that such a de-
monstration had actually taken place.
As Spain has proven to the satisfac-
ton OF the United States, according 10 the At
torney Generals opinion, that the Virginius
was at the time of her capture carrying the
United States flag without right and improper
ly, the salute to the flag will be dispensed
with, as now not necessarily requirable; but
the United States will expect disclaimer of
any intent of indignity to its 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
V.rginius 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 General of the United
States, that the Vrginius had no hight to carry
the American f1g, Spain must wait until the
United States Court has settled the case of the
vessel, before proceeding further in the mat
ter.
The situation in Santiago de Cuba is
reported as very serious. Only week ago
twenty-five citizens were arrested, and after
mock trial, without any evidence being ad-
duced against them, they were told to go
home. On the way they we're cruelty way
laid and killed, only one escaping. He was
riddied 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 so 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 executed.
Priests were with them taking their confes-
sjons 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, aid
others audibly Offering thanks to the Almighty
| for their deliverance from the horrors of then
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, large number OF
volunteers went in body to the governors
palace and begged permission to attempt the
| capture OF the Juniata, saying that they could
! do it with knives alone. The governor refused
| to grant permission. Our officers believe that
| the application vas made in earnest, and not
/ few regret that il was not favorably enter
| tanned. as the Juniata slone, not to speak ot
the Kansas and Pinta, would have been more
than a match for their sssailants. On thC
| arrival Of the Pinta at Santiago, orders came
| to the ship from Commander Braine for the
paymaster to issue all the blankets and pea
/ jackets in his department TO the prisoners
who were hardly fit to be seen in their rags
! This vas speedily done, but as there was stll
great destitutiop, orders came for every maj
on board to give their own blankets AID wear
ing apparel in the good cause the promise be
ing made that all would be replaced ON the AT
rival of the ship at Key West. The officer
and men ch erfully complied with this order
only prefUrring that it should be issued as
request, in which case they would have obeye'
with. as much alacrity Every heart wa
touched by the pitable condition of the pTis
oners. The poor fellows report that the.
werS barberously treated. The surrender tool
place at Moro Castle, seven miles below Sauti
ago. A receipt was given for the prisoners
1t wsa reported in Santiago that when It wa
found th t the Nirgiuius had been to,ged ont o
the harborof Havana, large number OF nava
Officers OF high grade rendered their rssisns
Jon 70 the home government by telegraph,