The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-11
The Battle at Nuevitas.

The Ig1bu1e'S special correspondent, writing
on the 30 instant, says:-
Information of highly interesting character
comes to us from Nuevitas. On the 25th ult
the rebels held a council OF war at q halt league
distant from this place. The Governor called
meeting OF citizens at mis- palace, to which he
invited the Consuls. Mr.. Gibbs, American
Consular Agent, accompanied by the Prusslan
English, and French Oonsuls, attended. His
EXcelenCy presided over the meeting; said he
was afraid the town would be attacked, and
he had not force sufficiently strong to defend
it; that twas due to humanity and the interests
of civilization to say that he had received
a3vices from his superior, the Captain-General,
to this effect: that in case of an attack By the
insurgents on Nuevltas, then the commanders
of the two war vessels OFF Nueyitas were
TO lombard the town and reduce it to ashes.
MIR. Gibbs requested the Governor TO suspend
the meeting till he could retire with the other
Consuls for consultation. This was agreed to,
and these gentlemen left the room for few
moments. The result of their deliberations
was:-That being neutrals and the representa-
tives of their separate nationalities, they were
entitled to the protection of the Spanish Gov
ernment, at least in their own houses, over
which floated their respective flags; and, also,
they had right to have protected and to pro-
tect, as far as within their power, the lives
and property of their own citizens; and they
further stated TO his E2cellency their willing
ness to shelter and protect all the non.com-
batants the Governor might assign them. His
EXcellency said he had no control over the mat.
ter, etc. that after making as good a defense as
he could in case of attack, If unsuccessful
he should retire his men and put them on
board the ships OF war, but would place the
Jenny Clark, a sailing vessel, at the disposition
of The Consus and their fellow.ci citizens, and
such others, non com batants, etc., as he might
deem proper. If they preferred, he said, they
could send for vessels OF war of their own gov
e1nments. Beyond this he could neither say
nor do anything. The meeting then appointed
a commission to go out of town and wait on the
rebels. They returned with one of the leaders,
Colonel Lopez under flag of truce. Indepen-
0pncp. IODnZ
less and an unconditional surrender. Further,
he would not be responsible for anything that
might happen, &c. He advised all The Consuls
and non.combatants to Immediately leave,
at any moment The interview
then terminated. MI. Gibbs has written here
asking tnat an American man-oEwar be sent to
Neuvitas, and Admiral Hof has already
despatched the Penobscot to the coast; he sug.
gested that the Admiral take possession of his
(Gibb's) premises, which embrace a dwelling
house and warehouse, to the end that the re-
spective bellieerents may respect his rights and
property. He (Mr. Gibbs) further considers
himself ruined man; has he says, advanced
about $94, 600 on account of sugar, and has
about $40 600 worth of that article in his ware
house. He has determined to send away his
family, and thinks OF remaining himself as long
as possible.
Mr.. Gibbs had, at last accounts, gone on board
the Ocean Bird, an American We .sel with his
family and some twenty others.
Dec. 4.-SeVeral gentlemen lately visited the
tions on the lett at the entrance OF Havana Bay
TLey saw gun carriages being taken down and
others put up; parts of the old wall torn down,
and new breastWorks being built in lieu thereof
considerable number OF new guns were inside
awaiting their being placed IN position. These
were PARROTS and Dahlgren's ordinary mortars,
and 24pound howitzcrs with carriages attached.
There are, as far as could be judged, now in the
fort some 800 pieces OF artillery. The work was
being done 10y negroes of the chain gang, under
surveillance of body of soldiers, Visited the
cookery and general barracks of the soldiers;
found them all In excellent order; the cook
ing appeared to be of the first class,
AID every thing clean aud nice inside the forts.
1t would be impossible tor any one unacquainted
with the subterranean passages to find his
way out of these. The casemates are built in
consecutive sections OF uneven height (tour In
number), the highest one on the outside, and
are very strong. There are some three hundred
prisoners (polticaD in these forts. They saw
some six men inside who came out on NeW
York steamer several weeks ago. These were
arrested in Havana as soon as they landed. Saw
several prisoners who had lately come down
from Nuevitas; others from Puerto Principe;
and there We're others who had been cap
tured at other points. Several of the
prisoners reported an action as having taken
place very recently at tNeuvitas, and that Colonel
Lopez, the commander of the rebels, was taken
prisoner at the same time with them. They say
that Lopez killed both of his guards while being
carried into Neuyitas and, escaping by night
rejoined, as they suppose the insurrectonary
forces. Lopez claims to be an American citizen
was as is reported, ald-de.camp to General
Cadwalader and Franklin respectively durinG
our great war, and is well known in Philadel
phia. Prisoners reported that they were wei
treated, and said they had, for their money
everything that they desired brought to them
They seemed 10 be in good spirits.