The state herald., 1898-07-15
PRISONERS OF WAR
Touching Scenes Witnessed Mt Portsmouil
When Cervera's Men Wero Landed. -s

Touching Scenes Witnessed MT Portsmouth
When Cervera's Men Wero Landed. ~
Portsmouth, N. H.. July 11.--Thc
| Spanish prisoners. who We're brought
to port in the auxiliary cruiser St
Louis from Santiago, numbering co.
of the men who formed part of the
crew of Admiral Cervcra's squadron,
are tonight sleeping peacefully and
In comparative comfort in the new bar
racks erected for them on Scavey's is
land. Around them is guard of 125
marines.
The work of debarkation was ac-
complished in just two hours under the
direction Of Colonel Ferney. The pris.
oners We're marched to the highest
part of the island, where, on plot of
ground. eacl man deposited under the
eyes of the marine guard whatever be-
longings he POSSESSED.
1t was pathetic sight from begin
ming to end, and such as would bring
tears to many eyes. The poor, wretch
ed creatures struggled up the hillside
clad for the most part in rags, some
of the men being covered with the
fragments of Il tablccloth or n blanket,
while others had OH portions of what
was once Il uniform.
The unloading of the crowd was
witnessed by thousands of people on
shore and in boats, and II may be said
with all sincerity that during the two
hours occupied with the task not n
sneer or II jeer was heard, nor an act
performed which might have given of
fense to the prisoners.
When the muster-out, ns II seemed to
he, was finished, the men We're formed
in line and marched into the temporary
barracks, which will serve as n prison
for them.
or the number landed, forty have
been taken TO the hospital suffering
for the most part from wounds, while
not n few have minor ills.
1t was an Interesting sight to watch
the way in which the Spanish prison
ers accepted the fortunes Of war. AZ
ter breaking ranks, they looked about
and saw mattresses and couches and
many other comforts which had not
been their loi for many years In the
barracks, and as they looked them over
they appeared to accept the situation
with much checrfulness. They walked
around with what appeared to be II
hiSiihtb anu Sttlltu W EEbW
py ms appcilzing odors We're waited to
them from the large kitchen.
One of the most touching incidents
of the day was the farewell Captain T..
Diaz Moru 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 affcctlona,cly en-
braced each seaman MS II he was his
son, could refrain from tears.
When the muster had been com.
pleted Captain Moru turned 10 Colonel
Forncy of the American marine corps
and asked permission 10 say Il few
parting words TO his men. The request
was readily granted, but Captain
ALoru. instead OF making n formal and
eloquent address TO the line. walked
up 10 the man a, the head OF II. and.
taking him warmly by the hand, ten.
derly kissed the grim sailor on the
cheek. When the men saw the action
OF the commander they wept as II
their hearts would break, and as the
| captain walked down the line. shaking
each by the hand and kissing each
sun-burncd cheek. each man threw his
arms around bis commanders neck
and gave him n most hearty embrace.
AS Captain Moru came TO the Colon's
marine guard, the captain orderly, In
an outburst of grief, sprnng from the
ranks and threw his arms about his
captains neck like child.
When. finally, the captain reached
the end OF the long line. he turned. and
In voice shaking with emotion, said
n few words OF farewell TO the crew
ms n whole. As lie finished the half.
clad men surrounded him. grnsping his
arms and legs. all trying for one last
embrace
The grassy banks of the rock-bound
prison island faces the entrance OF the
harbor. The Island has mn area of
about 100 acres. and is Just across the
channel from Fort Constitution. About
five acres OF this comprise the prison
yard OF the cnptlycs The space will
be enclosed with II fence eight feet In
height. OutgIlc this fence, seven feet
from II, n barbed wire fence II 10 be
constructed. besides which these sen.
tries Will he placed. At commanding
points platforms have been construct
ed. thus making mn attempt TO escape