The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-12
CLAD ONLY IN RAGS.
Pathetic Scenes at Landing of the
Spanish Prisoners.

Spanish prisoners VINO were brought TO
port in the auxiliary st. Louis from
Santiago, numbering 692 of the men who
formed part of the crew of Admiral
CerYera's squadron, last night slept
peacefully and in comparative comfort
in the new barracks erected for them
on Seavey's island. Around them was
a guard of 125 marines.
The work of debarkation was accom-
plished in just two hours, under the
direction of Colonel Ferney. The pris-
Oners were marched to the highest
part of the island, where, on a plot of
ground, each man deposited under the
eyes of the marine guard whatever
few belongings he possessed. 1t was
a pathetic sight from beginning to
end, and such as would bring tears to
many eyes. The poor, wretched crea-
lures struggled up the hillside, clad for
the most part in rags, some of the men
being covered only with the fragments
of a table cloth, or blanket, While
others had on portions of what was
once a uniform. When the men landed
some of them were SO weak that they
could not stand and lay on the ground
until stretchers were brought and were
carried by their comrades to the main
road, where they were placed on the
grass.
Here the rays of sunshine and the
cool, refreshing breezes from across the
Piscataqua seemed to strengthen them,
and most of them were later able to
follow the others to the place where
they were mustered. Many of the
prisoners had wounds that were still
unhealed and their heads and arms
showed the effects of the terrible bat
tie in which they fought. The crew
of the CristobaI Colon were landed in
a body. They were better clad and
evidently better fed than the other men,
for they bore resemblance to the
Spanish sailor in make up. They
brought ashore with them bags filled
with clothing.
Thirty members of the CoIon's crew
were however, severely wounded, and
had to be carried on stretchers.
The unloading of the crowd was wit
messed by thousands of people on shore
and in boats and it may be said with
all sincerity that during the two hours
occupied with the task not a. sneer or a
jeer was heard nor an act performed
which might have given offense to the
prisoners.
The most interesting part of the land
ing of the men was the duty performed
by Captain E. Diaz MerOu, of the Girls
tobaI Colon, the once hearty and jOvial
officer and 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 to which
the individual was once a member.
When the muster out, as 1t seemed
to be was finished, the men were form
ed in line and marched into the tenn
porary 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 a rev
have minor ills.
Among the officers there were ten
four lieutenants, three Sergeants, two
ensigns and one paymaster-and these
through some misunderstanding OF or
ders from Washington were returned
- =
ever. that these same officers Will be
landed again.
The line officers will be quartered at
the marine barracks.
It was an interesting sight to Watch
the way in which the Spanish prisoners
accepted the fortunes of war. After
breaking ranks they looked about and
saw mattresses and couches ana many
other comforts which had not peen
their lots for many years in the par
racks and as they looked the more tney
appeared to accept the situation with
much cheerfulness. They Walkeu
aro11nd with what appeared to be dig
nffied air and seemed to grow happy
os appetizing odOrs were waited 10
them from the large kitchen.
One of the most touching incidents OF
+ba dav was the farewell Captain E.
Diaz Merou, of the CristObal Colon,
took of his crew just before he went
back to the St. Louis Few VINO saw
the tenderness with which he walked
down the line and effectiOnately en-
braced each seaman as If he was ms
own son could refrain from tears. w neu
the muster had been competed "a pldll an
Merou turned to Colonel Forney OF the
American marine corps and asked per
mission to say few parting WordS 10
his men. The request was reaqlIy
Granted but Captain MerOU, instead OF
making a formal and eloquent address
to the long line, walked up to the man
at the head of it, and, taking nm
warmly bv the hand tenderly kissed the
men saw the action of the commander
they wept as if their hearts would
break and as the captain walked down
the line, shaking each by the hand and
kissing each sunburned cheek, each
man threw his arms around his com
mander's neck and gave him most
A. canaan Merou came to the Col
on's marine guard, one of the men, the
captains orderly, in an outburst OF
grief, spang from the ranks and threw
his arms about the captains neck like
n child. When finaly the captain
reached the end of the long line, he
turned, and in a voice shaking with
emotion said few words of farewell
to the crew as whole. As he finished
the half clad men surrounded him
grasping his arms and legs, all trying
for one last embrace.
The grassy banks of the rock bound
prison island face the entrance of the
harbOr The island has an area Of
about one hundred acres. and is just
across the channel from Ft. ConSt1tu-
ton. About five acres of this comprise
the prison yard of the captives. The
space will be enclosed with a fence
eight feet in height. Outside this fence
seven feet from it a barbed wire fence
is to be constructed, besides which the
sentrieS will be placed. At command
ing points platforms have been made
on which gatling guns will be mounted.
thus making an attempt to escape a
most hazardous proceeding.
In the southeastern end of the en-
closure and close to the water are the
newly erected buildings that are to be
the living quarters for the men.
There are ten of them, long, low and