Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-12-18
GENERAL RYAN.
A chivalric Life Preserved in Me-
dalton and History.

"A 0hAN - - AN~AN = aN-~~
dalton and History.
One OF the Numerous Host oil
Martyrs.
The death of O'Donnell yesterday
according to the forms Of law, put IN
force in cruel haste and in face OF the
request Of our government for a post
ponemeut and in defiance Of the pro-
tests and sentiment Of all Christendom,
brings to mind another martyr whose
death is yet unavenged-a man execu-
ted almost within sight of our shores
By order Of drumhead court martial,
who had fought four years for the
stars and stripes. We allude to Gen
eral Ryan, taken from under the AmerN
can Gag and executed by the Spanish
authorities, together with three other
patriot officers at Santiago de Cuba,
on the 4th Of November, 1873, a
little over ten years ago. ODonnell
struck blow to avenge the wrongs Of
Ireland and Of Irishmen. 1t was
done on the impulse Of the moment,
possibly in self defense. But he did
only what lrishmen throughout the
world we're ready to do deliberately il
opportunity had been presented. The
death Of the informer who led Others
on To death and deserted them in the
hour of supreme peril, was only q
question Of time and opportunity.
Carey was slain as he deserved, and
O'Donnell was sacrificed. In all civ
ilized countries the one will be exc
Grated and the other almost canonized.
General Ryan, an Irishman also, al
though born in Canada, struck many
blows for the cause Of human rights.
We are reminded of his heroic life
and untimely death, not only by the
hasty and CHASTITY spectacle of O'Don-
nell's tragic end, but by tangible SOU
venir from his mother and brother, Of
Chicago, received only a day or two
ago. 1t was intended as private
communication, but owing to its his
toric interest and the pathetic memo
ries it revives, it belongs more prop
erly to the public and we, therefore,
take the liberty Of publishing a note
which accompanies this reminder Of
the Virginius massacre. 1t is as fol-
lows:
ass MILWAUKEE, AVENUE,
CHICAGO, December IL, 1888. !
Major &. Whitmore, Proprietor PUBLIC
LEDGER, Memphis, Tenn;
My DEAR MAJoR.-Please accept
the accompanying medallion as little
token Of the high appreciation in
which you and the LEDGER are held
By my mother and myself. May you
and yours always be happy.
Your indebted friends,
JOHN GEO. RYAN,
MRS. Z dunno.
The medallion is about the size Of a
twenty dollar gold piece, which
it resembles in color, weight and form.
On one side is a raised engraving Of
the Cuban martyr in uniform, and
quite perfect in the smallest details.
Below are the words; "Gen. w. A.
G. Ryan, born March %, l84S;" and
surrounding his likeness the inscrip
ton: Capt. U. s. A. 1923. Cuban
army, 1869 70. Murdered in Santiago,
Cuba, Nov. 4, 1873, by Spanish
authority" On the converse
side clasped within a wreath are the
words, From General Ryan's mother
and Colonel j. G. Ryan, his brother,
to Major Z. Whitmore, as token Of
heartfelt esteem, 1888" 1t
is mounted on a ring and can be worn
as charm. 1t is very artistic and
will ever be cherished for its associa-
tions and the sentiments it conveys.
In this connection it is not out Of
place to give brief sketch, histori,
cal and biographical, Of General
Ryau's life, often referred to in these
columns;
General William Albert Charles
Ryan was born in Toronto, Canada,
March %, 1s43. At an early age he
became resident Of the United
States. During the war Of the Re-
bellion he was on the side Of the
Union, being with the New York
troops. From the ranks he graded up
to Lieutenantcy in the 1920 regi-
ment, and to q Oaptainey in the 1929
New York Veteran volunteers. He
received many serious wounds, and
his promotions came from gallant
and meritorious services" He was
presented with a valuable sword BY
his appreciative comrades. In 1869
he Joined the Oubans fighting 70 free
their island from Spanish control. He
rapidly rose 10 the rank Of General.
He Organized and commanded a fine
body Of cavalry. lie was beloved BY
ell Cuban patriots. His sword did
goodservice for the cause Of liberty.
He organized several expeditions Of
arms and men and successfully landed
them in Cuba. In October, 1873, the
steamer Virginius expedition was or.
gauized under favorable auspices. But
the vessel was captured October 3lst
and toWed into Santiago dc .Cuba.
November 4th, 1873, General RYAN.
with three brother officers, was sho.:
and 10 q few days thereafter fortyl
seven more OF the Inflated l5l pas.
senRers and crew were shot to death
This hurried and horrid bntohery
was enacted because the victims were
Cuban rebels. The United States
government demanded satisfaction for
the outrage becauge the Yirginius
was fying the American fae when
captured BY the Tornado. For the
inhuman act Spain Unidentified this
government with a sum Of money. A
portion Of this was TO 20 to Mrs Il
dunno, Of Chicago, General Ryan's
widowed mother BY second marriage
That She might receive her portion
Congress was petitioned TO pass a Joint
resolution to that effect Hon. W. ri.
Springer, Of Illinois, and Hon. S, s.
Cox, Of New York, Of the House, and
Senators A. II. Garland, and William
Window, Of the Senate, presented
the matter to Congress, and the bill
was unanimously passed, President
Arthur cheerfully signing it January
II, 1888. To perpetuate that event,
fho aooom nanvinu madal waa oirroL