The New York herald., 1868-12-15
O U 3 A..

Details Of the Insurrection-The Battles he
tween yaIuaseda's Forces and the Insur.
gents near Puerto Principe-The Situation
af Santiago de Cuba. n ,o.s
The Spanish steamer Barcelona-one Of the Cuban
line OF Antilles steamers-arrIved here from Santi-
ago, Nuevitas and other points along the coast on
the afternoon OF Saturday the 5th. The papers here
deriving their information from government sources
publish little nothing concerning AFFAIRS In the
East although 1t is known that important move
ments are gong on.
The Didro de la Marina, the best informed journal
here in that peculiar style OF information which the
government allows to be made public has the follow
ing
The Commanding General OF the Oriental Depart
ment recently sent column OF all arms to Guanta-
namo to meet the rebels, who had rmoved them.
coonel fonn % sH aer rom
leaving it garrisoned and fortified, on his march to
Join the troops Of the Commander-nC Chief who mas
with the rebels, who lost a considerable number OF
killed and wounded. Unable to confront the troops
the sugar houses Of the plantations from which they
were disodged, with Immense loss. Co0ae ,h,e hono
acknowledges loss OF ten Kliled ana tnify
wounded.
Reproduce this valuable information for the read
OF the HERALD in order that it may be seen how
much the government permits the people TO know
OF important operations. details OF which herein
after given
Your correspondent at Nuevitas writing on the 1st
inst, says
Ny last letter closed on the 26th with an account
OF the juuta OF Cubans, which resulted in determn-
alton to prosecute war Of independence. yalme-
sada, learning Of this, left Puerto Principe the
27th at two p. NJ with 1000 men, consisting OF
small body Of cavalry as an advance guard
and the balance infantry. He had with him
fonr mountain howitzers. They marched out
on the line OF the railroad, meeting no obstacles.
About SIX miles from Principe they passed through
thick woods, and encamped that night farm
twelve miles from that city. On the morning OF the
2sth the column formed, the cavalry in advance ar
nllery in the centre, followed by the infantry A
locomotive and some cars, carrying baggage, camp
equipage and ammunition, moved with the troops
After proceeding about four miles they came upon
small piece Of woods between two open fields. A
brook crossed the road at this point, passed by a
small trestle bridge. rail had been displaced here
and the engine, which was going very slowly,
ran OF the track. The insurgents were concealed on
both sides in the woods, armed with rifles, and
poured in severe fire upon the troops. The
latter Immediately opened and light OF about two
hours duration followed and then suddenly ceased
the insurgents retiring The troops then gathered
up their wounded and continued on about three
miles farther to the sugar plantation "Canet which
arrived here about fve p. NJ and encamped. Since
This place is entirely surrounded by large bodies OF
insurgents. and doubtless the only reason the town
has not been already attacked s the presence of two
Spanish men-of-war anchored in port.
My Information OF the movements Of valmesada
Is derived from two Americans, who left Puerto
Principe on the morning OF the 2sth. They came up
with the troops about an hour after the Tight and
were made prisoners by the rear guard, who passed
them along the line until they reached its head,
where was Valmesada surrounded by his stan, As
they passed along they saw lying on the road about
were detained until they came to the sugar estate
mentioned. In conversation with an oficer they
learned the troops lost in killed four officers and ten
men; wounded, one officer and fifty men, They could
learn nothing OF the loss OF the insurgents. 1t was
considered that the number who attacked them was
insurgents that there but sixty men scattered
along the road on both sides and concealed in the
Naturally enough all sorts OF rumors are flying
about to-day. Reports through rebel sources state
that the government troops have abandoned Las
RACES on women II is also stated that the insur-
gents have captured Holgun.
While writing at four O'Clock in the afternoon
pckes have just come in and reported the rebels In
considerable numbers outside, carrying on cattle
horses and all the they can nnd A call to arms
has been made the volunteers citizens are rush.
ing to the government quarters. The steamers have
alarm. The women and children are crowding down
10 the wharves and going on board the small vessels
and lighters and all s confusion.
II is reported that firing be distinctly heard
about six miles from here, and it Is supposed that
yalmesada is lighting his way down. The steamers
broadside on, ana with glass can see that the
decks are cleared and every thing ready for action
rived from Manati, bringing . lieutenant colonel
and two other officers wounded From volunteer |
CAPTAIN learn that after severe struggle the gov
ernment got 500 troops into Las Tunas but the road
between Manat and that place Is overrun with In
surgents who annoy the troops continually He also
reports that Bayamo had been reaken by the troops
but not until after desperate struggle in which the
women Joined in lighting against them.
DEC. 3-The firing mentioned in my letter under |
date OF the lst was on the main cart road from |
Principe TO Baga Valmaseda and his troops started
Of railway, took the old Baga road to |
the right, a due east course. That night they
from the left In the morning. On the lst they
continued their march. and when about nine miles
from san Miguel, small interior town six miles
back from the bay they came TO the estates santa
Isabel and Union. Here the insurgents were partly
and be were ae two
miles further they again came on the insurgents
posted about a farmhouse, where they made a stout
resistance, but were eventually dislodged When
within two miles OF san Miguel the insurgents again
formed in the wood and made q last desperate
effort but again routed and compelled TO Nee
The troops entered the town, since which we have
heard nothing.
In the fights which took place though the insur.
gents were each time driven before the troops yet
the latter have little TO boast Of But poorly armed
and without organization the rebels kept up con-
u
Clpned force armed with Peabody's rifies and with
eight pieces of artillery. They have done much bet
Ter than was anticipated.
The punboat Conde Venidto went over the bay
last night 70 bring back the wounded, consisting Of
some forty men. but has not returned.
Another account written at Nueyitas on the Sd
varies slightly In the details, but agrees IN the main
with tne foregoing. IL places Balrnasedas force at
15OO infantry zoo cavalry and eight pieces OF arti
lery. As he ID known to have had about 5000 men
IN Puerto Principe the latter statement Is probably
the nearest correct. After the locomotive or the
Track as before stated the contents OF the
placed on pack mules The fighting was almost
continuous until the troops reached san Miguel the
insurgents attacking and retreating after the que
riiia mode. The plantations santa Isabel and Union
belonged 10 the castillo family; the buildings
were completely destroyed by the troops. The ex-
tent OF the insurgent forces is unknown also the
number Of killed and wounded. The dead are left
where they fall TO be food for the yuures. aud II 10
said To be impossible 10 move along the road from
Manau to Tunas on account OF the stencil arising
nom the dead bodies.