The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-12
THEY SLEPT
in BARRACKS
Crowd Of Spanish Prison
III erALanded.
NOW ON SEAvEYS ISLAND.
Poorly Clad Creatures Present a
Pathetic Spectale.
NOW ON SEAvEY'S ISLAND.
FORTY MEN TAKEN TO HOSPITAL

silent i'm comparative comfort last night
In the new barracks erected for them on
Seavey's island They are guarded oy
125 marines, the pick OF the corps OF the
marine barracks on the Atlantic coast.
The work of debarkation was accom-
plished In Just two hours under the d.
rection OF Colonel Forney, who VIII not
only have charge OF all the prisoners
brought here at the present time. put
will be hels responsible for their sate-
keeping. The Spanish were marched
10 the highest part of the island, where
each man deposited under the eyes OF
the marine guard whatever few belong
ings he possessed. 1t was q pathetic
sight from beginning TO end, ana such
as would bring tears to many eyes, Inc
poor. wretched creatures straggied up
the hillside clad for the most part IN
rags, some OF the men being covered
only with the fragment OF a tabiecioth'
or a blanket, while others had on por-
tions of what was once uniform. Wheh
the men landed some OF them were so
weak that they could not stand ana lay
on the ground until stretchers were
brought and by the aid OF their COM
rades were carried to the main roac,
where they were placed on the grass.
/, Here the rays OF sunshine and the cool
breezes from across the Piscataqua
seemed TO strengthen them, and most
of the exhausted ones q little later were
| able to follow the others TO the place
I, 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 battle
| In which they fought.
| The crew of the Christobal Colon were
landed in body. They were better clad
and evidently better fed than the other
men. for they bore resemblance Of the
Spanish sailor in makeup. They brought
ashore with them bags filled with cloth
ing and many articles which go to make
up the outfit OF a sailor. Thirty men,
bers of the Colon's crew were severely
wounded and had to be carried on
stretchers.
The most interesting part OF the land
ing of the men was the duty performed
by Captain f. Diaz Moreu of the Chris
tobaI Colon, the once hearty and jovial
officer the favorite captain OF the Span
ish 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 q member. When
the muster-out, as II seemed to be, was
finished the men were formed in line
and marched into the temporary bar
; racks which will serve as a prison for
! them.
OF the number landed. 40 have been
taken TO the hospital, suffering from the
. most part from wounds, while not few
are victims OF minor Ills. OF the Of
, ficers. there were 10 first leutenants
l three surgeons. two ensigns and one
/ paymaster-and these through some
: misunderstanding over orders from
: Washington, were returned to the st
1 Louis Aoofo Nuircy and Gabme
Monsesnos. both surgeons of the Colon
E will be quartered at the naval hospita
I and will assist the regular staff in charg'
e of DR.. Derr. All the petty officers VIII
Z are with the prisoners will remain 4
s assist in maintaining discipline. Th
( line officers will be quartered at TIL
4 | marine barracks.
( II was truly an interesting sight 4
I watch the way In which the prisoner
d accepted as q fortune of war their i'm
prisonment on Seavey's island Afte
breaking ranks they looked about an
saw mattresses and couches. and man
other comforts which had not been thei
a lot for many years. in the barracks, an
/" as they looked them over they appeare
. to accept the situation with much cheer
fulness. They walked around wit
= what appeared to be a dignified air an
y seemed TO grow happy as appetizin
y pdors were waited TO them from tn
/" large kitchen. After their evening mes
- they seemed TO have settled down 10 Ell
- JOY their enforced imprisonment.
{. The first meal served to the prisoner
- showed the measure of hospitality {
. Uncle Sam towards his unfortuna,
- enemies. IL was far more generous
quantity and more substantial In qualit
than many q hard working man in OF
cities secures for his principal NEE
N The prisoners were drawn up in line I
"a detachments, and eight cooks went pa
J. and served them roast beef potatoe
l. onions. bread and coffee in utensils pr
p xided for them. AS a supply for tn
n first supper OF the men on American so
:. there were 1000 loaves of bread, 6
pounds OF beef and 80 gallons OF coffe
besides sufficient quantities of onioi
: and potatoes.
After supper each man was given
mattress and n pair OF blankets. al
most OF then NJ once turned In for &
\ night. In addition TO the 40 men TAX
y TO the naval hospital. enough others a
indlsposed to make the sick list ia.
increase of about 20 cases. The prime
pal cause Of illness Is exposure. for
many OF the men were utterly destltu
a. OF raiment that they have felt I
A. change In climate and show IL In
10 clpient lung trouble. The first da,
ri experience In handling the prisoners h
Mt brought out the necessity OF an additi
- 90 the naval hospital inside the stocka
20 accommodate the sick prisoners.
" About i've acres Of tho island v