The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-31
Q - 3 A
PROGRESS OF THE REVOLUTION.
The Slavery Question Among the
Insurgents.
Movements Against r'W
ertO Principe.

BY the steamship Eagle, Captain Greene, from
Havana we have received our correspondence from
that city to the 26th instant. Purser iuertas has
our thanks for valued favors.
The Revolution in Cuba-The rnsurSents Com
template Liberating the Slaves-Operations
an the Central Department-Local News in
Havana.
HAVANA, Dec. 90, 1858.
The steamship Moctezuma arrived here from Nue.
vitas at an early hour on the morning of the 2lst,
having LEFT on the afternoon OF the 18TH She brings
the Lieutenant Colonel OF the regiment "Espanau
with the officers sergeants and corporals, in order
to form new battalion with the reinforcements ar.
irving from Spain.
Valmaseda arrived there on his return from his
visit 70 Havana on the nth, and Immediately set
about measures for o vigorous campaign. A letter
OF the 18th says:-"There many troops here, and
they are beginning TO move. One column proceeds
against SiDanecol, where the insurgents of this dis
trict are concentrated. Another by different
route viii Join this and the united force OF 1900
men, with ten pieces Of artillery, win proceed against
Bayamo.n
Your correspondent writing under the same date
says:-"0n Valmaseda's arrival movements begun
which show his intention 10 make vigorous CAM
paignn
My last was dated the l1th On the 10Th learned
that meeting Of the principal insurgents was
taking place at Sibanecou to take into consideration
the question Of the slaves The authorities here are
proceeding in such way that all order on the
estates is fast slipping away and for this the
insurgents think they had better stake the bull by
the horns'' at once. have not heard the result Of
the junts but is whispered that emancipation will
be 'decreed. Something must be done, as a COM
plete generalization exists among the negroes on
1lorop noto and thu
laborers also. Many OF both classes are consually
presenting themselves to the authorities and if
something is not shortly the estates Will be left
without labor.
On the last mentioned date the steamer Barcelona
arrived here from Matanzas with battalion of 700
men called "Vounteers Of Order" but 1t was deci-
dedly msnOmer, for never saw more drunken,
dsorderly set. Two hundred had been released from
the military prison on condition Of volunteering;
forty Of them were made up Of Austrians, Germans,
French, English, Greek, and one American. Others
were OF the clerks and shopkeepers Of Matanzas,
who state that they were misled and deceived by
stories told them OF brlgandage and other disorders
which they could easily put down. On the evening
OF the 18th an Englshman named william Nelson,
of st. John, N b. who had enlisted among these
volunteers was shot by the guard at the hospital,
he not understanding Spanish and so not re-
spending to the challenge. He was struck above
the knee, causing an ugly flesh wound and
1racturing the bone. He was sailor, had
gone ashore from his vessel at Matanzas,
got drunk, was placed In jail and was induced to
whittier he was going. He will lose hts leg and per-
maps MS Life. Yesterday disturbance took place
serious wounding OF both they are in the hospital
ana WIZ probably die. Last evening portion OF
TINS battalion OF order were sent aboard the war
ing, and the others have been sent or in coasting
ana the town y now comparatively quiet
On the 18th reports reached here that Gibara was
surrounded ana hard pushed by the insurgents. The
gunboat Africa was Immediately despatched to that
point. ~
BY parties who recently reached here from Puerto
Principe,D coming through the insurgents lines,
learn that there very lew insurgents near here,
they seem to be all gathering at Sbanecol to organize
into some military shape, which from all accounts ia
badly needed, there is at present organization
or regulation each one fighting on his own hook.
Certain statements in some New York papers in
reference to matters here cause much surprise.
am authorized by Mr.. Gibbs, the United States Con.
sui, to saw thathc has not made any arrangement
hOuse,a has been stated knowing well that his flag
Will afford the necessary Protection to all who may
hps storehouse was filed with valuabes belonging to
both Spaniards and Cubans.
Gascon Machn, Spanish cavalry leader, reported
killed, was alive and well three days ago. The Au-
diencia or Supr me Court ID quietly at Puerto Prin-
cipe and has never thought OF coming here. An
American vessel is sadly needed here, and much
complaint liz made that that government does not
afford the requisite protection to the persons and
property OF It's citizens There is still no commun
cation with Puerto Principe, the insurgents holding
the line Of railway.
One OF the parties referred to in the foregoing
communication OF your correspondent at Nuevltas
has arrived here. en- route to the United States. He
states that he left Puerto Principe the 14th inst
that Governor Mena remained there with not
over 500 troops and 400 volunteers. The va
rions public buildings and churches
fortified and every requisite preparation had been
ne met several small parties of insurgents, who
treated him with great courtesy. They expressed
their determination to achieve their independence
nj any cost and asked MIN to represent them they
were in the United states. from whom they expect
ed sympathy and support They we're armed with
every variety OF weapon and were generally wen
mounted. They destroy property nor in any
way interfere with the people, save In taking horses
for which they give receipts.
From other sources learn that Immediately on
ms arrival, on the l7th yamaseda began to con-
centraie his forces at san Miguel, preparatory to
active operations.
letter dated Gibara, the sth appears in the local
papers here, which states that party Of fugitves
had arrived there bringing Information that a body
OF insurgents $500 strong had been encountered by
the troops between that place and Holguin and
routed that IL was afterwards expected to meet
them In the vicinity Of the latter place. but on the
arrival OF the troops they were nowhere to be seen.
No oiical report OF the engagement there has been
made public. The Moctezuma did not touch at
Manau or Gibara, so no news has been received.
lie brig Jenny Clark, detained at Nuevitas, as
noticai IN the HERALD has been released, only the
i've tasks OF rice containing arms and discovered on
board u her beng seized. she sailed for New York
OH tie rtu.
The Mociezuma brought thirteen insurgent priso-
ners among whom was the chief, ID. Gaspar Aguero
betancourt, VINO was captured In the encounter on
the 18th ult. as heretofore reported.
On the 18th arrived h re the Cadlz mail steamer
Antonio Lopez. she brought General Ginoves
Espinar, the newly appointed "Segundo Cabo" or
deputy Captain General, and General SIMON Iatorre,
Military Commandant OF the Eastern Department,
who relieve Munoz with $50 men, having left 100 In
Porto Rico.
on the evening OF the 22d the steamer Cienfuegos,
from santiago de Cuba and Intermediate ports. ar
rived al Batabano. She brings dates from that
place 20 the 18th, and from Mansanio to the GOTH
Through private sources l learn that Santiago is
still Ocseged by the insurgents, numbering 10000
men. There were In the city from $50 TO 800 troops
and about 500 volunteers. OF the latter not
than 1000 can be depended upon the balance will
JON the insurgents whenever an opportunity IL
afforded them to do so, with their arms. The rebels
are In very close proximity and nothing Is allowed
10 come In or 90 out. There Is an abundance OF pro-
visions IN the city except country produce but there
IN work for the aboring class aud much suffering
results and the men are ali secretly leaving the place
and Joining the insurgents. No goods coming In
fha fla nj art-