Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-07-14
PRISONERS OF WAR
Touching Scenes Witnessed at Portsmouth
Mhen Carycrn,s Men Wera I.andad

When Cervcra's Men Were Landed.
Portsmouth, n. H., July 11.-Thc
Spanish prisoners, who were brought
to port In the auxiliary cruiser st.
Louis from Santiago, numbering Coz
or the men who formed part of the
crew of Admiral Cervera's squadron,
are tonight sleeping peacefully and
In comparative comfort In the new bar
racks erected for them on Seavey's is
land. Around them Is n guard Of 12J
marines,
The work of deblrkation was nc
complished In just two hours under the
direction Of Colonel Ferney. The prs-
oners were marched to the highest
part of the island, where, on n plot of
ground, each 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 tablecloth or n blanket,
while others had on portions Of what
was once n uniform.
The unloading of the crowd was
witnessed by thousands of people oil
shore and In boats, and 1t may be said
with all sincerity that during the two
hours occupied with the task not IL
sneer or jeer was heard, nor an act
performed which might have given Of
fense to the prisoners.
When the muster-Out, rs It seemed to
be, wns finished. the men were formed
In line and marched Into the temporary
barracks, which will serve us n prison
for them.
or the number landed. forty have
been taken to the hospital suffering
FOR the most part from wounds, while
not 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 couchcs and
many other comforts which had not
been their 10; 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
dignified air. and seemed to grow hnp-
py us appetizlng odors were waited TO
them from the large kitchen.
One Of the most touching Incidents
of the day was the farewell Captain l..
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 md nffectionatcly en-
braced each seaman as II he wns his
son. could refrain from tears.
When the muster had been CON-
pleted Captain Moru turned to Colonel
Forncy OF the American marine corps
and asked permission to say n few
mn ,.t tp,, ,,n,sla N hIy man Tho rCu,,nsf
was readily granted. but Captain
Moru. instead Of making formal and
eloquent address to the line, walked
up to the man ut the head OF II. and.
taking him warmly by the hand, ten
dcrly kissed the grim sailor on the
check. When the men saw the action
Of the commander they wcpt rs II
their hearts would break. and ns the
captain walked down the line. shaking
each by the hand, and kissing each
sun-burned check, each man threw his
arms around his commanders neck
and gave him n most hearty embrace.
As Captain Moru came to the Colon's
marine guard. the captain orderly. In
IN outburst of grief. sprang from the
ranks and threw his arms about his
captains neck like child.
When, finally, the captain reached
IIle Gnu VI tuc iohS he
in n voice shaking with emotion, said
n few words OF farewell to the crew
rs n whole. As hc 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 faces the entrance of the
hnrbor. The island has an area of
about 100 acres. and Is just across the
channel from Fort Constitution. About
five ncrcs Of this comprise the prison
yard OF the cnptivcs. The space will
he enclosed with n fence eight feet In
height. Outside this fence. seven feet
from II, n barbcd wire fence Is to be
constructed. besides which these SEN
tries will be placed. At commanding
points platforms have been construct
ed, thus making nn attempt 10 escape
N most hazardous proceeding.