EXECUTION OF THE VIRGINIUS' CREW.

Waikato Times, Volume V, Issue 288, 17 March 1874, Page 2

EXECUTION OF THE VIRGIN IUS' CREW.

Erom an account given i» the New York Herald by an " Eye-Witnesi" of the execution of the unfortunate captain and crew of the Yirginius at Santiago, it seem* to have been conducted in the following fashion : — \\ half -past three in the afternoon of the sth ult. three regiments of foot Boldiers nambering about 1500, marched through the town, followed by a troop of the mounted guard, and formed in line at the place of execution. This was a piece of waste ground on thaoutskirts of the town, bounded on one side by a stone waf eight feet high. At four o'clock the prisoner* wore taken irbia the prison, having their arms iastened behind their Jbacks, and irons upon, their waists. They formed in lin« four deep. Accompanying each four was a Catholic priest. They were then surrounded by 200 marines, aucl marched 4t a slow step to the place of death, followed by hundreds of people. They were in much better spiri's than might hive been expected, stopping out with a bold and manly step, and expressing a belief that their wrongs would be aveiged by their country. When they arrrved at the place of oxeaution, the condemned men were placed m <<t lmo abonf four feet apart* with their faces to tho wall. Tho marines formed a line two deep, about ten feet from the men they wore about to shoot. The prisoners wero thcu ordered io kneel. Tho signal being given to fire, a volley of 200 rifles was fired at the thirty-ievon men upon thru- bnops tetrfeet off. Ono man onty lay dead : that was the captain. The rest were woundod in tho most horrible manner. Tho marines then rfloaded their rifles, and commenced shooting the woundod moil in the mouth, ears, and eyes, planing the rauzzlo of tho gun close up to the head and blowing it to atoms. Ono man was slightly wounded ; two marines stoppod »p to him ; one ran the muzzle of his gun int.) the man ■ mouth. Tho poor jfellovr graspod the barrel with both hands. The other put his gun at the man ear. lhoy both fired together. Nothing was left of tbo head', live dirt, carte then caroo up with ten men from tho chain gang, and the doml wore thrown into these convojances in all shapes. There wns not a man of tho tbirty-six who wore woundod wboso head was not blown off from the mouth up. Ihey were buried ten in a hole. Tho troops marched ! back to the town to a lively air.'