Book of Ryans - The American Experience
U.S. Relations with Cuba
The United States had always viewed the acquisition of Cuba as inevitable, and early political comments seemed to support a policy of manifest destiny towards her southern neighbor. John Quincy Adams, as early as 1823, made a prophecy that Cuba would be annexed from Spain, and later President Polk sent his American minister to Spain in 1848 with an offer to buy Cuba for $ 100 Million. Spain refused the offer, and in 1851 an invasion force of 500 men, mostly American, landed in Cuba; nevertheless, they were captured by Spanish soldiers with some of their members being executed. A few years later in 1857, President James Buchannon made another offer to Spain to purchase the island, but as with previous offers, it was flatly refused.
America's intentions towards Cuba changed after the Civil War. With the abolition of slavery on the American continent, annexation of Cuba became less important, particularly as the slave trade disappeared. Even though the momentum for annexation relaxed, groups within the United States continued to pursue Cuba's union with the U.S.A., and with help from Cuba's revolutionary armies, invaded this small island before 1870. This band of invaders was small and poorly equipped, and set up their military operations from the Oriente Provine mountains. Eventually this small group of revolutionaries grew to a sizable army of over 1000 men; and were able to capture the interior towns of Bayamo and Holguin. They received the popular support of the local citizens, and while they were successful in the Cuba's central region, they were never able to capture any major port cities.
The war for Cuban independence festered for another ten years, and the United States became the "political conscience" of Cuban resistance. Hundreds of fund raisers to support covert activities inside Cuba grew from this outpouring of support, and one of the major fund-raiser during this period was General W.A.C. Ryan. He spent most of his efforts in the New York City area, and during one of his fund raisers was handed a sword inscribed with the following words in Spanish: "Presented by the patriotic Junta of Cubans in New York." The contributions he obtained for these Cuban resistance groups provided money to support illegal expeditions of munitions and men for the Cuban rebels. The Cuban revolutionary became viewed an a romantic folk hero by many Americans, however, the American newspapers, in describing their obstructionist activities, began calling their illegal activities as filibusters. One of the more notable filibustering attempts was made by the Virginius, commanded by Captain Fry, carrying revolutionaries under the command of Generals William A.C. Ryan and Oscar Varona:[1]
On the afternoon of October 31, 1873, the side wheeler Virginius, flying the American flag, steamed about 20 miles off the Cuban coast. Aboard were more than 100 rebels led by Cuban general Oscar Varona and William A.C. Ryan, a Canadian soldier of fortune who had served in the Union Army during the Civil War.
This was not the first filibustering attempt that General Ryan had undertaken. He faced criminal charges for a similar breach in 1872, but the charges were dropped and Ryan was subsequently released from jail.
General William A.C. Ryan, a confederate veteran, was born in 1843 in Toronto, Canada; and later his family emigrated to the United States. His mother and sister settled in Detroit, and one of his brothers, P.B. Ryan, lived in Joliet and another brother, Col. John G. Ryan, lived in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. General Ryan was a well-known figure during the late 19th century, however, not all of his actions were honorable as this "New York Times" article, dated October 5, 1873, suggested:
ARRESTED THE CUBAN GEN. RYAN
`Deputy Sheriff John Boland, aided by detectives, yesterday arrested the notorious I.E.. Ryan, the man who fought for Cuba within the limits of the United States, on a Sheriff's warrant issues upon a non-justification of a bail bond which Ryan had given to the Sheriff when arrested about a year ago, upon a civil suit brought by J. Taylor to recoup the value of a certain promissory note, the proceeds of which Taylor claimed Ryan had obtained fraudulently upon giving this valueless bond Ryan disappeared, and did not return to this city until a few weeks ago.'[2]
General Ryan had surrendered himself to the Sheriff and was sent to Ludlow Street Jail. Ryan, then Colonel, was initially charged in 1871 for `passing a spurious check'[3] valued at $ 140.00 which was drawn on the Union Square National Bank. He was taken to Jefferson Market Police Court where Judge Cox set bail for $ 1000.00; nevertheless, he was acquitted of these charges. The judge ruled that his infraction was writing a check for insufficient funds, and he justified his action by noting that Ryan had a bank account then listed at $ 65.00. The judicial system was no stranger to Ryan - his earliest known arrest involved subversionary activities resulting from undercover activities for the Southern army. He was arrested for complicity in a conspiracy led by John H. Surratt.[4] William Ryan was eventually released because there was insufficient evidence to associate him with the conspirators. However, his marginal activities would keep him well known to authorities even well past his association with the Cuban exiles.
The Cuban affair would be the climax of his brush with authorities as he prepared to deliver a large amount of ammunition, medicine, and provisions. With war materials on board, the ship steamed to the eastern shores of Cuba, but before she had a chance to reach Cuba, she was sighted by a Spanish warship, the Toronado. After being discovered, the Virginius changed course to Jamaica in an attempt to flee the Toronado commanded by Captain Cotello. Interestingly, both ships were Confederate blockade runners used during the American Civil War, and both vessels were commanded by seasoned military captains such as Captain Fry who was a graduate of Annapolis and ex-Confederate soldier. Ultimately, the Virginius was captured by the swifter Toronado, and although Fry protested his capture in international water, Senor Cotello claimed that since Fry's ship was a pirate ship, his protests made no difference. When the newspapers announced his imprisonment in a Cuban jail, many of Ryan's closest associates were not surprised because of his checkered past.
The crewmen of the Virginius were quickly sentenced to death by a military tribunal headed by General Burriell. The first group of men received their executions on November 4th, including General Verona and William A.C. Ryan. The executions were strikingly morbid as they were shot, decapitated and their heads placed on spikes. A reporter for the wire services described the moments before Ryan's execution:
The four prisoner's were shot at the place made famous by previous executions and, in the usual manner, kneeling close to the slaughter-house wall. All marched to the spot with firmness. Bembetta and Ryan showed marked courage...The two others quite broke down before they were bandaged; but Ryan kept up to the last, never flinched a moment and died without fear or regret. Bembetta and Ryan were killed at the first discharge.[5]
General Ryan never expected the executions to take place. He had confided with Florida's Representative William J. Purman several weeks before this incident, and told him that if a situation arose where he could be tried and executed, he (Purman) was to notify the President of the United States immediately. Purman quoted Ryan's last few words with him:
`I am off for Cuba again, and if you hear that I have fallen into the hands of the Spaniards I want -you to go immediately to the President and get him to intercede for me. If I am captured it will be all day with me unless the President does something to save my life."[6]
The United States protested the Virginius' seizure in open waters, and sent a strong statement to Spain demanding that the crew and passengers on board be released. Once Spanish officials received this demand, they wired to Havana an order to stop further executions; however, because communications were poor, 12 more men were executed the following day.
Major rallies expressing popular support began appearing throughout the country as word of these executions were reported in the newspapers. Rallies, particularly at Tammany Hall and Steinway Hall, demanded immediate military retaliation against Spain, and numerous newspaper articles written about the personal lives of the executed were printed which further enraged the public. Reporters, for example, accompanied Rep. Purman and General Cooke into Ryan's home to inventory his household items, and one of the contents they described was a picture of his sister who died enroute from Ireland to America. Due to the Press' efforts to mobilize popular opinion, Secretary of State Fish was forced to deliver a strong message to the Ambassador to Spain: either obtain an apology or America would pull its diplomatic mission out of Spain. After receiving the ultimatum from United States Ambassador Sikes, Spain's Foreign Minister Carrojal flew into a rage; but he was also aware that the United States was prepared to go to war if no apologies were provided. Consequently, Spain paid $80,000 in damages to the U.S. Government, punished General Burriell for his actions, and provided a public apology to the United States.
Spanish American War
Tensions between Spain and the United States continued throughout the remainder of the century, and by 1897 it had reached a climax when the Cubans began demanding independence from Spain. Revolutionary groups were attacking military and Spanish institutions, and when Spain sent troops to Cuba to quell the rebellions, the United States press published reports of cruel tortures that Spain used against captured insurrectionists. Many of these published reports were probably untrue as the American press sensationalized even trivial news stories, but the American public, who strongly favored intervention, did not really care if the reports were correct. Americans wanted no other superpower in her backyard, and Spain's hold on Cuba represented a potential threat to the U.S.'s security because this small island was only 60 miles from its southern borders.
The United States government, sensing a breakdown in relations between the two countries, sent the U.S.S. Maine to Cuba to protect its U.S. citizens. While in Havana's harbor, a devastating explosion sank the vessel and more than 250 people died. Although the engines or some internal mechanism caused the explosion, the Yellow Press wrote caustic stories of Spanish involvement in the vessel's sinking. Throughout the United States this loss of U.S. life became a rallying point with slogans like "Remember the Maine." The American public had enough and Congress could no longer justify remaining neutral against Spain. War was declared; moreover, it lasted only six months with the USA as victor. In the end, the victory over Spain changed the United States' status among world leaders because for the first time she became recognized as a world power.
Although this war lasted six months, many servicemen fought courageously during this conflict. One of these men was Thomas Ryan who received the Distinguished Service Medal. This award is second only to the Medal of Honor for Army personnel, and was created by executive order in 1918. It is awarded to any person who, while serving in the U.S. army, shall have distinguished himself or herself by extraordinary heroism accompanying military operations against an armed enemy. It is awarded only for combat service. Ryan received his medal retroactive to the Spanish American conflict, and his actions are summarized as follows according to the Adjutant Generals' records:[7]
Thomas Ryan, born Ireland, residence in Baltimore
Maryland. First Sergeant, Troop K, First Cavalry,
U.S. Army. For distinguished service in battle at
Las Guasimas, Cuba, June 24, 1898.
During this six month period, many Irishmen including Ryans, served in the military. The records of the New York enlisted men serving the United States during this war showed 67 Ryans volunteering for active duty in New York's various regiments. The oldest Ryan to volunteer was Andrew Ryan, age 47, serving in the 47th Infantry, and the youngest was John E. Ryan, age 18, serving in the 1st Regiment. Only one New York Ryan, Patrick Ryan from Company F-14th Infantry, died during this conflict as a member of the New York contingent; however, the New York Adjutant’s office records showed that he died from Typhoid fever and not battle wounds.