Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-26

memory the daShtng General Custer.
II spent the entire evening on this first
meeting with these three remarkable men.
1t did not transpire until some weeks after
ward, and then was cautiously divulged to
me little by little, as we met from time to
time, who these men were and what was
the object of their presence in Washington
| and their ultimate purpose and designs.
1T came more explicitly one night when
we were seated on bench in Washington
Circle. 1 was Joined by the corporeally
largest Of my new-found friends. He was
maritime; that l saw, for l had been years
+ at sea myself. He must have been from
New England, that I derived from his &C
cent and behavior He had been presented
to me as Captain Fry.
A Filibustering Expedition.
I'VE engaged in long conversation dur
ing which learned they were engaged in a
f1libustering expedition to free Cuba. Fry
was the navigating officer Of the enterprise
Their vessel was chartered by the Cubans,
and was to land at Santiago, or elsewhere
on the southern coast. The vessel was of
800 tons burden, and had been an old
blockade runner in the civil war. She was
loaded with ammunition and all kinds of
arms. There were 154 men. exclusive of
officers, an dthe intention was to join the
command of Barbetro or Barbetes, the
Cuban insurrectionary, commander of that
province.
Unfortunately, the Virginius, SO called
Jamaica, in the Caribbean sea. She was
discovered and overhauled by the Spanish
steamer Tornado, which. firing shotted
guns across her bows, compelled her to sur
render.
"Barrios was then captain general Of
Cuba, and he ordered an immediate court
martial for the trial of the prisoners to
be held aboard the Tornado. Its result was
foreordalned. They were all sentenced to
be shot to death in squads, at sunrise, the
o1ncers to take precedence.
General William A. c. Ryan, chief in
command, and Captain Fry, the navigator.
with thirty-four men, were executed at
daybreak next morning in the plaza adj
joining the barracks A trench was dug
and there the bodies remain to this day.
THE rest of the prisoners followed ach
succeeding morning by fifteens down to
the cabin boy, and were buried without dis
tinction in the same ditch.
But to return to Washington. The Vir-
ginius set out for Cuba from the navy
yard at daybreak on the morning of the
10th Of October, 1874, and soon, too soon
reached the point in the Caribbean sea. off
Jamaica, where she was no doubt wat ched
for and awaited by the vigilant and re-
vengeful Spaniard. Her capture was speedy
| and inevitable. as the cruiser Tornado was
far swifter and her crew and armament
much heavier and more formidable than
| the little SOO-ton, wornout Virginius.
British Vice Consul's Efforts.
The British vice consul at Santiago, Mr.
Brambett, interposed his best efforts and
afforded his American cousins all the pro-
lection, aid and comfort he possibly dared
under the delicate circumstances He was
especially drawn to love and pity their
gallant and rash comma nder, Gen. Wac"
Ryan. as he was called by friends and fol-
lowers. Mr.. Brambett received all poor
Ryan's last messages to his mother, sister,
brother and fiancee at Sunnyside, N. Y.
and took charge of his clothing. books and
nan md tic W. trh md nhai 10
be given to his associate, Gen. Geo. w.
Cook, in Washington. where Ryan had or
dered him to remain, as likely to be Of
more to him and Cuba.
Cook was anxious and pleaded to go with
them, but Ryan inexorably refused, and
thereby saved Cooks life. The general is
alive today, and I meet him frequently,
and we talk over the merry and mournful
first days Of our 'auld acquaintance Ryan
also sent long, thick, glossy curl of his
brown hair to be divided among his
friends, many of whom he named. He babe
them a CHEEKY CD goodbye, ALL while
every eve around was streaming, and
tear glistened in the dark lashes of his
own bright, fearless eyes.
"They shot him first. When they bade
him kneel, facing the wall and submit to
be bindfolded and handcuffed, he leaped to
his full height and Strengthened himself
proudly as a king of men, and absolutely
and Sternly refused, insisting upon stand
ing and facing the soldiery. Cowed by his
grandeur, they dared not refuse him. He
tore open the bosom of his military coat
and, barring his heart, with flashing eyes
and in the voice of command ordered the
Spaniards to Fire"
"a volley rang out like unto one shot,
and the rash and brilliant young American
flibuster fell to the earth on his face with
out a sigh or groan. Twelve bullets pen
etrated his heart and lungs.
II was surprised that the English vice
consul did not get accorded to the brave
American the honor of a separate resting
place, that his grave might be opened, the
remains identified and a monument erected
to him and his martyr followers by Cuba
some means were so devised by which
Gen. Ryans body may be known, If ever
exhumed.
Everything Confscated.
'"The virginius and her cargo Of ammuni-
ton and arms were, OF course, connscatet.
Whether she was broken up or burned by
order of Spanish Captain General Barrios,
| or utilized by Spain in her desperate and
futile endeavor to secure her ever faithful
| island to Alphonso XIII. know not.
"Ryan had served with distinction on the
| Union side in the civil war and had been
| honora bly, discharged with promotion. This
| mistaken. misdirected, uncontrolled and un-
comfortable spirit doubtless followed out
| his destiny. Intensely liberty loving, he
| could not discriminate. Any tale of suf-
| fering or tyranny he could not hear with
! Indifference. AS I have said he knew not
| fear; there was no craven blood in his Wig
| orous, throbbng heart and veins. He was
struck down. badly wounded. IN the battle
| of the Wilderness; fingered long and suffer-
| ed in the hospital, and ultimately was con-
veyed to New York, where the confederate
bullets were extracted.
He eventually recovered. but the war
| was then over; yet Ryan had not had
| enough. He soon got it. He wore one Of
| the bullets, which had penetrated deepest.
on his watch chain charm and SOU
venir. 1t was removed from his dead body
| at Santiago and sent by the vice consul
| to his friend, General Cook.
Ryan's Effects Brought Here.
''Ryan's effects which were secured by
| the British vice consul and safely trans
mitted to Cook, here in Washington, filled
| two large trunks. There were two fine
| swords. one belt, two pair epaulets, mill
| tary boots, hats and uniform, a lot Of
wearing apparel, package of love letters
| to be delivered to his heart-broken young
L