New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-09-16


induced them to follow him through the woods, going
the right flank, and advancing steadily. The Span
ards ct least 800 strong actually gave way but made
another stand after awhile. Encouraged by our
success made at them again in the same manner,
for it was that or destruction, and we again were
fortunate The Spaniards had breech-loaders pea
body and fred rapidly; possibly they exhausted
their ammunition. At any rate, they gave
way, left their encampment in our posses
sion, and fastened to their boats. Hoping to
take them in the rear. Gen. Jordan procured
guide in one Of the officers, who misled him
from cowardice otherwise would have fallen
upon them in their retreat and have done them great
mischief Neverthelesswe had reason to be delighted
with the result-the escape from supreme disasterl
As Gen. Jordan had directed the place had been ac-
tually occupied by small force of Americans and for
tilted two days before. A Cuban colonel who was
to support them went off, and the enemy
fell upon the Americans the day before ar "a drove
them away, so we had to fight them behind our
own works Excuse this hurried scrawl, for have
no time to be coherent or choice.in my phrases we
here at Bijaru, in the interior organizing what
is named the Army of the East, which Gen. Jordan
commands. 1t consists of three divisions of Holgun
St Jago de Cuba, and Bayamo. There are plenty OF
men here ready and anxious to bear arms. All the
people are in Revolution. Nothing could be better
than the spirit of these people. 1t is a superb
country and worth fighting for tool Here, in the
hills where l write the climate is de-
licious-not warm at all, as approximation
am wearing wooden pants all the while. The land
is rich beyond anything ever saw. have seen a
Spanish account of the affair at Ell Ramon on the
10Th Maya most amusing and transparenty false
account. They beat 200 Americans, they say, with
40 men; captured all put leo to death, and went
away triumphantly. Our losses were IL killed, in
GLIDING four negroes and officer, with two Otfi-
GERS and eight men wounded
THE GENERAL ITUATIoN-PREsIDENT CESPEDEs
DESCRIBED.
From DR.. w. c. Thicker, who has recently
arrived Cuba following facts have been ELECTED
In a conversation with reporter. He reports that
he had seen the Of tho Cuban chiefs-yz Jordan
Msrcano Maxine, Gomez, FigureOla, Hernandez, Per
alta. Perdomo, Marmo. Hail. Vicente Garcia, Rubai'
cslys and others. These officers and their commands
are in the Eastern Department with 10000 armed men
under their orders Besides, IL can safely pc SAID that
there are At least 10000 men who could be put In
the field at a moments notice, and who are anxiousy
awaiting arms In this calculation are inciudeo "hes'
Reporter-What is the present state Of the armed
troops Are they well organized or not
the Cuban Generals consider them sufficiently well.
skilled military tsetiGs but OF course they would not
present state OF military supplies would not be sumclent
TO carry on campaign according 10 the notions OF Euro
y made up OF Napoeons Psrrotts wizards and mountain
howitrer guns number Of the latter having been cap.
spaniards There Slers6iy fair supply Of ammuni
ton for these guns on hand but none 70 be waiteG'
should think there were some 10 pieces (moyaDle) IN
the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
Reporer-Wnl you be so good as 70 give an idea OF
the number OF patriot troops in the Camaguey country
Answer-Quesads, though Genersl-inChief OF the Re.
public operates In person in this Department Nearly
all forces welarmed. He has at least 1000 men
under orders who are equpped for war More thsn TINS
all the firm adherents TO the cause. and serve
the Commander-in Chief In any service he may order
The whole OF this population is really engaged IN sne
while others still do such labor as may be required Dy
the eIisences of the occasion THIS Department in
n.. and s mos sPS e s
counters any others with the Spanish troops They
have done the hardest fighting.
Reporter-What constitute the Cinco Vlllasf
Answer-Remedios, Ctenfuegos, santa Clara, Espirsu
Santo. and Trinidad -,
answer~it is very difficult to form correct estimate
upon point Some OF the leaders claim that all the
people with the insurgents 1t even maintained
that there 5000 armed and ready to take up
arms Constant fighting going on between the CuDans
and sanlsrds and the latter are greatly e ere.
ton get armed ali Spanish interests would be speed
lily ruined This the region where the great sugar es
& ssd IN co %
signed TO tho respective ,ngenos Iee insurgents are
from one estate to another and burn and destroy
thing coming within their reach which pertans
the 70 t Ds,ro eus here woud toos up 5000 mem Il
may DO stated positively that they would not
bes. Judgment there are some 100 armed men Of
the field or this number there are not above
twohrds Of the whole equipped for service as tney
Reporter-what are the Views Of these officers with
reference 20 the best plan or operationsf
Aaswer-It " W harsss and annoy the enemy as much
a. possible For the moment ,hey cannot take rs OFTEN
done In nearly every instance they have surprised and
beaten the Spaniards They are eIpecung otner arms
aach the oyerpmept troops at every point and ami
hate their columns Hitherto for want Of the necessary
arms and equipments the patriot generals nave peen
compelled to husband their resources. =,
Reporter-In what estimation Is Jordan heiu py the
Cuban officers and the,Government leadersi
Answer-As far they have been able to Judge, Jor'
dan Is believed TO be very capable otcer He has dis
played so far tact and high abilities The utmost
Cespedess published orders speak of him in the highest
saies Army ocer IT, OF itself sufficient to
ndenee and the spansrds are by no means pleased at
the idea OF efficient aud weried american soaierseom
ing out TO take q hand IN the struggle:
keporter.-You have seen Cespedesi IA, 81. A..
Answer Have him, and talked with him ne
qusnty. Heisa man about .o years OF age sa mid
ding stout gentleman OF agreeable temper: ana qne
brown hair and eyes. There Is no preense ADont MIN.
He tAksr yet when he speaks II 10 TO tho PURPOSE
He reads English WELL and speaks IT, though not huenu
AZ first view would take him for plain quiet IA
pretending gentlemen but on acquaintance he discovers
World Il may Be said that he Is man of eminentE
praotical deAs He Is unmoved az reverses ana has
high undoubng confidence in the success Of the reyou
ton There 10 no gentleman more amaDe tnen me- ana
one more beloved by everybody. Cespcdes Is q large
property owner at the opening OF the war the rs
lawyer st the Baysmo BAR and has been emnenty sue
ressfu In ali his efforts and undertakings He can en-
dure much for his physique 10 well adapted 10 labor
either mental or physical Perhaps he would weigh ~
pounds. .,.>,.,
result but that thepart Of she United states
Government there should be some direct and efficient
shov OF sympathy The people OF Cuba, from the COM
msncement Of the contest have all the while expected
active Aid from the Government of the Union. and,
though &C times cast down, they have have not been
They confident that the Government at
Washington WILL long. take steps which will render
THAR triumnh speedy and certain.