Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 January 1874 — The Surrender of the Virginius Prisoners. [ARTICLE]

The Surrender of the Virginius Prisoners.

New York, December 22. The New York Tribune'* Key West telegram gives an account of the surrender of the Virginius prisoners to Lieut. Com. Braine of the Juniata. It appears that the authorities to the last momeut kept the poor wretches in ignorance of their prospective release, and with base inhumanity led them to suppose that they were to be executed. Priests were with them, taking their confessions and dying declarations, and imploring them to look to Qiod for pardon. They were taken out of prison in despair, but on their way to the slaughter-pen, as they supposed, their eyes fell upon the Juniata, flying the flag of the United States. When they realized the truth a scene occurred which beggars description. Their enthusiasm knew no bounds. They were speedily transferred to the deck of the Juniata, and gave vent to the most extravagant but touching demonstrations of joy, embracing each other, some crying, some kissing, and others offering thanks to the Almighty for their deliverance from the horrors of their dungeon and the prospect of an ignominious death. On the night before the surrender, the officers and crew of the Juniata were stationed at their quarters, her guns being turned on the city. The Spanish volunteers having been excited to an open riot by the rumor that tne surrender was to take place, a large number of them went in a body to the Governor’s palace and begged permission to attempt the capture of the J uniata,say ing that they could do it with knives alone. The Governor refused to grant permission. Our officers believe that the application Was made in earnest, Bnd not a few regTet that it was not favorably entertained, as the Juniata alone, not to speak of the Kansas and Pinta, would have been more than a match for'their assailants. On the arrival of the Pinta at Santiago orders came to the ship from Commodore Braine for the paymaster to issue all the blankets and pea-jackets in his department to the prisoners, who were hardly lit to bie seen in their rags. This was speedily done, but, as there was still great destitution, orders came for every man on board to give their own blankets and spare wearing apparel in .the good cause, promises being made that all would be replaced on the arrival of the ship at Key West. The officers and men cheerftally complied with the order, only preferring that it should be issued as a request, in which case they would have obeyed with Just as much alacrity. £very heart wss touched by tbe pitiable cod-

dition of the prisoners. The poor fellows report that they were barbarously treated. The surrender took place atMorro Castle, six miles below Santiago. A receipt was g ; ven for the prisoners. It was reported In Santiago that when it was found that the Virginius had been towed out of the harbor of Havana, a large number of officers of high grade tendered thei” resignations to the home government by telegraph.