The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-04-01
The Cuban Rebellion.


Principe and Nuevitus railroad, has just ar
rived in this country after riding on horse
back more than one hundred leagues through
the insurgent and Spanish lines from Puer-
to Principe to the nearest point where he
could take the cars for Havana. He fur
nsEes the following statement to the N ew
y ork Herald
The occupation of the line of railroad
from Puerto Principe to Neuvitas having
left me without employment l determined
to return to the United States. Iprocured
the necessary papers from Colonel Mena,
the Spanish Governor of the city, and start
ed with a companion, on horseback, by land,
for Havana, on the 18th of February last.
AT that time the feeling Of the natives OF
all classes were very decided for the revo-
luton, and young and old, rich and poor
had gone into it. General Dulces procla-
tons Of amnesty and reform at first pro-
duced some effect, and many were in favor
of accepting them. Among these were one,
if not two, of the Arango's, and one of
them had begun negotiations to that effect
For this purpose he had held communlca-
/ ton with Colonel Mena, and appointed a
| dnv when he would come in unarmed under
flag of truce to confer with him. 1t was
stated in Principe that Colonel Mena's Or
ders to the squad sent to meet Arrange were
to bring him the corpse of that rebel. The
fact was that he WAS shot as soon as he ap-
preached the suburbs Of the town, and the
remains were hacked and disfigured after
death. This event stopped entirely the
feeling in favor of accepting the amnesty
and reforms among the Cubans.
The lnsurgent force gathered round Pn-
erto Principe were very enthusiastic in the
cause, but were badly armed, and i'll sup
piled with ammunition. Their only cannon
were q few pieces of iron pipe well plugged
and bound round with banded strips Of the
country. Every available instrument was
applied to the making of weapon for often
| sive purposes, and a lance and nactete-- a
short, heavy sword-were the general ar
mament A few had breech- loading rifles
captured from the Spaniards, but the want
Of the proper ammunition rendered them OF
little service. An old fashioned fintlock
muzzle-loading mnskct was the favorre
arm, as it could always do service whether
| there were patent cartridges, percussion
caps, &C., in camp or not. Whoever had
one of these priced it above all the patent
arms to be had.
There was but little organization among
the forces Of the revolution, although Gen
eral Quesada was recognized as the chief
i'll command. Every leader had raised and
,l,a+ l,,o and no
camp seemed more like gathering of pri-
vate camps than a regular force. General
Quesada was laboring to introduce regi-
mental and brigade organizations. 1t was
this reason, the absence of regular organi-
cation and military rule, which prevented
General Quesada from attacking Puerto
Principe, which he could undoubtedly cap
ture If he could control his force so as to
bring them to act on general plan.
The war is carried on by the Cubans
more as a guerrilla war than by regular op-
erations. Whenever force of Spanish
troops appears anywhere the Cubans scatter
from its front, aud seek by ambuscading
behind trees and in the thick woods, to an
nov the troops and diminish their numbers.
The great object among the insurgents in
these encounters is to get hold of the mus
ket knapsack OF every one they can wound
or kill In this they will run extraordina-
ny risks, three or four running out from the
bush at every Spaniard who falls. The
Spanish troops generally behave well il
these ambuscade encounters, and whenever
forced 10 halt or form during their march
f will roundly abuse their unseen foes, sty-
ling them towards, and calling upon then
, TO come out Of their hiding places and show
themselves.
No regular civil government exists in the
districts held by the insurgents, and nc
formal attempt has yet been made to Or
ganize one. In the Central Department
$ General Quesada's authority is respected
> while in the east Gene raj Cespedes is look
;, ed upon as their leader. There is little
T. communication between the several depart
. ments and no concert of action. The on
c ly aim seems to be war with the Spaniards
$ The insurgents in the Villa Clara distric
1 hold their organization distinct from those
+, of Cespedes and Quesada,
e from the insurgents camp around Puer
:, to Principe we rode through CISCO de Anvil;
d Espiritu Santo, Villa Clara and Macagu;
y to Colon where we sold our horse and tool
: the cars for Havana. Whenever we stop
ped among the country people the SAM
t feeling against the Spaniards and confidence
G that their rule is approaching its end pre-
c vailed, while in the towns the Spanish ira
$ ders, armed and organized by the govern
ment entertain the most violent feelings
e against the Cubans. No attempt to injurt
l. us was made by either party.
sssnsa able success OF the National Htf.
Insurance Co.
!, The National Life Insurance Company of the
q United States of America was chartered in July
I 1865. In the first seven months of it's exis
tence, 1882 policies were issued representa-!
5. insurance to the amount of $40, Cos, $780, ant
e calling for an annual premium Of about $500,
d 900. This is an astonishing success, and give
- emphatic endorsement to the peculiar advanta
d ges offered by this Company, as well as to tn
d confidence felt in those who are prominent II
h the management of the new enterprise. Th
- leading principle of the Company is to avo
Y ell complications of notes or dividends, but
l. in effect, to pay dividends in advance by it's re