The herald., 1898-07-12
THE PRISONERS
UNLOADED FROM THE SHIPS
INTO QUARTERS
how THEY RFGUARDFD
saATLINa GUMS SWEEP EVERY
PRISON APPROACH
A TOUCHING FAREWELL
Cantafn of the Colon Saws Good Bve to
TOUCHING FAREWELL
Captain Of the Colon Says oood-Bye to
His Men-An outburst Of Grief
That Brought Tears to Eyes

Ills meu-kAu OuCOuTSI VI 0I1e1
That Brought Tears to Eyes
Associated Press Special Wire
PORTSMOUTH, N. H.. July 1.-THE
Spanish prisoners, who were brought to
port in the auxiliary steamer st. Louis
from Santiago, numbering 692 Of the men
who formed part of the crew of Admiral
Cervera's squadron. are tonight sleeping
peacefully and in comparative comfort in
the new barracks erected for them on Sea-
vey's island. Around them is a guard of
LIS marines.
The most interesting part Of the landing
of the men was the duty performed by
Capt. E. Diaz Merou of the Cristobal Co.
lon, the once hearty and jovial officer, the
favorite captain of the Spanish navy,
standing on the height of land near where
the men came ashore clad in a tattered
uniform of white duck trousers and blue
coat, book in hand, the mastering officer of
the Spanish prisoners. His heavy voice
called out the names Of the prisoners and
credited each to the vessel of which the In
dividual was once a member.
The Muster Out
When the muster out, as it seemed to be,
was finished, the men were formed in line
and marched into the temporary barracks
which will serve as a prison for them.
OF the number landed forty have been
taken to the hospital suffering for the most
part from wounds. while~not few have
minor ills.
Among the officers there were ten-four
lieutenants, three serge'Lnts. two ensigns
and one paymaster-and these. through
some misunderstanding over orders from
washington. were returned to the st.
Louis. 1t Is understood tonight, however,
that these same officers will be landed
again tomorrow.
The line officers will be quartered at the
marine barracks.
Comforts They Never Knew
1t was an interesting sight to watch the
way in which the Spanish prisoners accept
ed the fortunes of war. After breaking
ranks they looked about and saw mat
tresses and couches and many other COM
forts which had not been their lot for many
years in the barracks and as they looked
them over they appeared to accept the sit
uation with much cheerfulness. They
walked around with what appeared to be
dignified air and seemed to grow happy as
appetizing odors were waited to them from
the large kitchen.
Merou's Touching Act
One of the most touching incidents Of the
day was the farewell Capt. E. Diaz Merou
of the Cristobal Colon took of his crew just
before he went back to the st. Louis. Few
who saw the tenderness with which he
walked down the line and affectionately
embraced each seaman as if he were his
son, could refrain from tears. When the
muster had been completed Capt Merou
turned to Col. Forney of the American ma
rine corps and asked permission to say a
few parting words to his men. The re-
quest was readily granted, but Capt. Me-
quent address to the line, walked up to
the man at the head Of 1t and, taking him
warmly by the hand. tenderly kissed the
grim sailor on the cheek. When the men
saw the action of the commander they
wept as If their hearts would break, and
as the captain walked down the line shak-
ing each by the hand and kissing each sun
| burned cheek, each man threw his arm
around his commanders neck and gave
him a most hearty embrace.
AS Capt. Merou came to the colonels ma
rine guard, the captains orderly, in an out
| burst of grief. sprang from the ranks and
| threw MS arms ABOUT MS captain neck
| like a child.
How They Will Be Guarded
| When finally the captain reached the
end of the long line he turned, and in a
voice shaking with emotion, said a few
words of farewell to the crew as a whole
AS he finished the half-clad men sur
rounded him, grasping his arms and legs
and trying for one last embrace The
grassy banks Of the rockbound prison is
land faces the entrance of the harbor. The
island has an area Of about 100 acres and is
just across the channel from Fort Consti-
tuition. About five acres of this comprise
J the prison yard Of the captives. The space
will be enclosed with fence eight feet in
height. Outside this fence, seven feet from
it, barbed wire fence is to be constructed,
besides which the sentries will be placed
At commanding points platforms have
been made on which Calling guns will be
mounted, thus making an attempt to .es-
cape Q most hazardous one.