The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-15
PRISONERS CLAD IN RAGS.
PATHETIC SCENES ON ARRIVAL. OF
ST. LOUIS At PORTSMOUTH,
thousands SEQ IandiuR-Not u Sheer or
Jcer from tho People to Givo OTcnsc
to the Unfortunate Mon who were
Worn Out and Mopt Wretchet In
Appearance.

spanish prisoners, who were brought
10 this port in tho auxiliary cruiser
st. Louis from Santiago, numbering
0o2 OF tho mon who formed part of
the crew Of Admiral Cervora's squad
ron, arc tonight sleeping peacefully
and in comparative COMFORT in tho
new barracks erected for them on
Seavey's island. Around them is
guard Of 12o marines, tho pick of
tho corps of the marine barracks on
the Atlantic coast.
1t was Il pathetic sight from begin
ming to end, and such as would
bring tenrs to many eyes. Tho poor,
wretchod creatures struggled up the
hillside, clad, for tho most part, in
rags, some of tho mon being covered
only with tho fragments of table
cloth, or a blanket, while others had
on positions of what was once uni
form. When the men landed some
Of them were SO weak that they
could not stand and laid on the
grounds until strctchers wore brought
and, by the aid of their comrades,
wore carried to the main road whore
they were placed on the grass.
Many Of tho prisoners had wounds
that were still unhealed and their
heads and arms showed tho effects
of tho terrible battle in which thoy
fought
Tho crew of the Cristobnl Colon
were landed in body. They were
better clad and evidently better fod
than the other mon, for they bore
resemblance of the Spanish sailor in
makeup
Thirty membors of tho Colon's
crew, however, were severely wound
ed and had to be carried on stretch
ers.
The unloading of the motley
crowd was Witnessed by thous-
ands Of people on shore and in
boats, and it may bo said with all
sincereity that during tho two hours
occupied with tho task not n sneer or
a jeer was heard, nor an act per-
formed which might have given Of
fense to tho mon.
The most interesting part of tho
landing Of the men was tho duty
performed by Capt. E. Diaz Morou,
of the Cristobal Col>n, the once
hearty and jovial officer, tho favorito
captain of tho Spanish navy, stand
ing on the hoight noar where the
mon came ashore, clad in tntterod
uniform Of white duck trousers and
blue coat, book in hand, the muster.
ing officer of tho Spanish prisoners
His heavy voice called out tho names
Of tho prisoners and credited each
to the vessel to which tho individual
was once member.
When the muster. out, as it seemed
to be, was finished, tho mon were
formed in line and marched into tho
temporary barracks which will sorvo
as prison for them.
OF the number landed, 10 have
boen taken to the hospital suffering,
for the most part, from wounds,
while not fow arc victims Of minor
ills.
One Of the most touching Incidents
Of tho day WAS tho farewell Captain
Morou took Of his crew before he
went back to the ST. Louis.
Few who saw tho tenderness with
which tho former big hearted and
jovial commander walked down tho
line and affoctionatoly embrace each
seaman M II no was his only son,
could refrain from tears.
Capt. Morou turned to tho Amori-
con officer and asked permission to
say few parting words to his mon.
The request was readily granted, but
Captain Moron, instead Of making Il
formal and eloquent address to tho
long limo, walked up to tho man at
the head Of it, aud taking him warm.
ly by tho hand, tenderly kissed tho
grim sailor on tho cheek. When tho
mon saw tho action Of tho command
OF, they wcpt as if their honrta would
broak, and as the captain walkod
down tho limo, shaking each by the