The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-07-20
Kissed Sailors Cheeks.
Pathetic Action of the Cristobal
Colon's Commander.

COnQltlOn-DelDG CaIeu vi.
Portsmouth, N. H., July 1.-THE
Spanish prisoners who were brought
to this port in the auxiliary cruiser
st. Louis from Santiago, numbering
692 of the men who formed part Of
the crew of Admiral Cervera's squad
ron, are tonight sleeping peacefully
and in comparative comfort in the
new barracks erected for them on
Seavy's island. Around them is
guard of 125 marines, the pick of the
corps Of the marine barracks on the
Atlantic coast.
1t was pathetic sight from be-
ginning to end, and such as would
bring tears to many eyes. The poor
wretched creatures 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 uni
form. When the men landed some
of them were 80 weak that they
could not stand and laid on the
ground until stretchers we're brought
and by the aid Of their comrades
were carried to the main road, where
they we're placed on the grass. 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 Cristobal Colon
were landed in a body. They were
better clad and evidently better fed
than the other men, for they bore
resemblance of the Spanish sailor in
makeup. Thirty members OF the
Colon's crew, however, were severely
wounded and had to be carried on
stretchers.
The unloading of the motley crowd
was witnessed by thousands of people
on shore ard in boats, and it may be
said with all sincerity that during
the two hours occupied with the task
not a sneer or jeer was heard, -ncr
an act performed which might have
given offense to the men.
The most interesting part of the
landing of the men was the duty
performed by Capt. E. Diaz Morrou
of the Cristobal Colon, the once
hearty and jovial sailor, the favolite
captain of the Spanish navy, stand
ing on the height near where the
men came ashore, clad in tattered
uniform of white duck trousers and
blue coat, book in hand, the muster
ing 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 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 10 have
been taken to the hospital suffering
for the most part from wounds,
while not few are victims of minor
ills.
One of the most touching incidents
of the day was the farewell Capt. Nor
rou took of his crew before be went
back to the St. Louis.
Few who saw the tenderness with
which the former bighearted and
ioyial commander walked down the
line and affectionately embraced each
seaman as if he was his only son,
could refrain from tears.
Capt. Morrou turned to the Ameri.
can officer and asked permission to
say few parting words to nis men,
The requst was readily granted, but
Capt. Morrou. instead of making a
formal and eloquent address TO the
long line, walked up to the man at
the head of it, and, taking him
warmly by the hand, tenderly kissed
the grim sailor on the cheek. When
the men saw the action of the com
mander they wept as if their hearts
would break, and as the captain
walked down the line, shaking each
by the hand and kissing each sun
burned cheek, each man threw his
arms around his commanders neck
and gave him hearty embrace.
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