The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-24


Spaniards and all favorable to the government
cause as t is considered sign of weakness Natu-
rally the Cubans are corespondingly delighted.
II was his intention to return ON the same steamer,
either last night or this morning; but later IN the
day arrived the Cadi2 mail steamer, bringing one
thousand troops and up to this hour he still re-
mains. The troops which have arrived are OF the
flower OF the Spanish army portion OF those
through whom was accomplished the late successful
revolution In SPAIN They win undoubtedly accom-
pany yalmaseda Immediately to the front.
/ learn that the policy determined upon by the
Captain General and his second is defensive one,
and that the seaports and other prominent places
occupied by the government VIII be fortified and de-
velopments awaited.
Our accounts from the east show that nothing was
done by vaimaseda after his arrival In San Miguel.
A passenger who came by the Peayo states that the
fight just previous to the occupancy Of San Miguel
was very desperate one; that IL commenced at sun
rise and ended after sunset and that cannonadlng
with ten pieces was kept up without intermission.
When the troops entered the town was found nearly
deserted and was Immediately sacked by them. 1t
Is calculated that what, with killed and wounded
the troops lost $50 men. The insurgents claim to
have lost but one killed and five wounded, and one
missing, having been captured by the spaniards;
The steamer M0ctezuma, now here and ready TO
sail, will take two battalions OF troops to Nuevias
considerable change has taken place In the teie
q number OF Its members have been acting In the In
terest OF the Instruction Two Of those who accom-
panied valmaseda from Puerto Principe were shot
by his order, and others, at various places along
the line. have been discovered and arrested.
"A gentleman recently arrived from Colon juris-
diction not far from Havana states that insurrec-
tOnary demonstrations have been made at Calmto,
and similar intelligence was momentarily expected
rom Artemisa Guanajay and san Antonio de los
Fourteen whites, one mulatto and one black, all
handcuf1ed, have just been marched through the
" a OrQf from OF
and others from Cardenas.
According to the additional estimates for the
present month the war item alone amounts to
General Lersundi received on the 9th inst an ofi-
cial report from Mr.. Garcia Nuoz, Governor OF San
tago de Cuba In which he says that he was without
any provisions, ammunition and water; that 5000
men dnsurgents) surrounded the city, and that
nothing could come into the cty-not even an egg.
The insurgents had destroyed the bridge OF the Cobre
Railroad, SO that nothing could come that way
either.
The Captain General recently sent for the well
known citizens Don Juan POey and D. Jose r.
Betancourt, with view OF sending them to the
Eastern department to hold an Interview with
Cespedes and Aguilera; but those gentlemen (Poey
and BetancOurt) answered that they diu not know
what propositions they could make to the insurgents
likely to be accepted by them, inasmuch they had
refused the thriceofered pardon rendered by valma
seda. 1t Is stated that General Lersundis view was
to send them without specific instructions for the
interview, but even then they felt assurance Of
success in their mission.
MOVIE IFOm tho scat Oh War-INcLICS OIL the
Insurgents-Policy Of Both Parties with tho
Slaves-No Trade This Year.
NUEvITAs, Dec. IL, 1863.
Since my last, written on the Sd, the troops
have remained quietly at San Miguel, recuperating
after the worry and annoyance Of their three days.
march from Puerto Principe. l have made great
effort to ascertain the losses both SIDES but 1t Is
almost impossible for neither party will tell the
TRUTH From various conversations had with officers
and soldiers, l place the loss OF the troops at up
wards Of 100 killed and wounded. The Spaniards
confess to seventeen killed and forty wounded In
the encounter on the 2Sth on the rairoad while the
Cubans say they buried forty Of the troops and that
there were over fifty wounded. From what hear on
all sides infer that the loss OF the insurgents was
small and this is probable from the character OF the
fighting as they were generally concealed. Persons
who have passed through the lines OF the rebels say
that IN the fight OF the 2sth they had but sixty
engaged and lost but one killed and four wounded.
on the afternoon OF the Sd the gunb0at venidito
brought from Baga, vslmaseda and his star and
about forty wounded OF whom five have since died.
them all and Observed that the great majority
were struck above the waist. valmaseda and mis-
Officers, who have remained here since their arrival
with the exception Of two days. In which they took
trip TO Gibara and returned look very detected and
careworp. Their future movements cannot be sur
missed, but it Is certain they can do nothing without
reinforcements. In short conversation with an
officer who was on the march from Puerto Principe
he informed me that on the LIST inst from ten A.
NJ until dark the attack continued from every side;
every fence, cornfield and bush, for over twelve
Isabel which was destroyed. no defence was made.
The destruction was IN accordance with fnstruc-
tons from headquarters. This, and other acts OF
the character Of operations entirely, and the insur
gents now burning or otherwise destroying, the
arrival or the troops at San Miguel worried, crest
1aen and filled with hate, one OF the corporas was
killed by q chance shot from q concealed rebel,
whereupon they sacked the town, sparing only
few houses belonging to the Spaniards Most Of the
inhabitants had fed, and the soldiers vented their
rage In the destruction Of the houses and furni-
At Guanajay about twenty miles to the west OF
this place, small, force OF soldiers and sailors have
been stationed for some time past On the 7th they
were attacked and two men killed, two wounded
and nine made prisoners; the loss the insurgent
schooner arrived here on the 7th from Manati
after water. In conversation with an Oiilcer learn
that they have had hard time OF It there. 1t has
been necessary TO convoy provisions 10 Las Tunas
with 700 men. The road swarmed with guerillas.
who kept up q continual firing on the troops, who
have In this way suffered severely.
Yesterday morning forty negroes belonging to an
estate twelve miles from here presented themselves
them to fight against the government and that they
had left rather than do No one here acquainted
with the owner OF the estate believes this but II VIII
afford the government an excellent pretext for re-
tanning the negroes and for destroying the property
when opportunity aifords
The negroes on the santa Isabel estate, belonging
TO the Castillo family, were taken away. after ing
informed that the Cuoans were lighting to hold them
Ia slavery and the Spaniards to Tree them.
Two young men, named Padila and Barrosa, were
recently taken prisoners while entering Puerto prin-
cipe, ana on being searched pass safe conduct,
signed by the chiefs OF the Insurgents found
upon the person OF one OF Them permitting them TO
go To town from their encaInpment and return. They
were tried by court martial and shot. They were
seventeen aud eighteen years OF age respect ely and
great efforts were made to save them. but IN vain.
Uf course the insurgents will retaate, and 1t Is n
possible 10 calculate TO what extent IL NAV lead
Whatever may be the result OF this contest. one
thing IA certan-this part OF the island Is doomed 10
destruction. Bands rove around without lei or b n
drance, destroying the property OF Spanards and
carrying of the stock No principles are announced;
no rights demanded no hopes or desires expressed;
no sentiment IL felt on the part OF the CuOans but
one OF burning hare. Their only aim Is the cxtermi-
nation OF the SIanards aud an end TO their rule.