The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-11
The Battle near Los Tunas, Cuba-PnrtIculars

Seven letters from Cuba, via Key West, re-
ceived yesterday, give the following account of
the battle near Los Tunas, on the 10th ultimo:-
A reconnoitring party was sent out by General
Quesada, numbering 800 men. On the after
noon of the same day this force was attacked
by largely superior numbers, but succeeded with
loss of So in killed. wounded, and missing. in
regaining the main body. The commanding
general Immediately prepared for an attack,
which did not take place until the 18th.
On the morning of that day General Valma-
seda was reported as approaching with a large
force of cavalry artillery, and infantry, and
preparations were Immediately made to receive
him Shortly after sunrise the Spanish forces
made their appearance, and Immediately COM
menced the fight with artillery. The artillery
made but little impression upon the Cuban army,
when the infantry were brought up and charge
upon the Cuban position was ordered
The Cubans reserved their fire until the
Spaniards came within range, when the order
to fire was giyen and il was so effective that the
Spanish liz was thrown into disorder and COM
PEELED to fall back under the protection of the
artillery. After some three hours the attack
was renewed by Valmasedas entire force, num-
bering, as was reported by deserters, over four
thousand effective men, more than one-half
regular troops The Cuban force was about six
thousand, of all arms, about four thousand being
well armed.
The contest lasted nearly five hours, when
Valmaseda was forced to give way and fall back
on his fortifcations at Los Tunas. The loss OF
the Cubans in killed is ~, among them several
officers whose names are not given; wounded
severely, 107 slightly wounded, $50; missing,
AZ; while that of the Spanish is reported in killed
and wounded over 600 Two hundred of their
dead were left ON the field. There were nearly
four hundred deserters and two hundred and
seventy prisoners captured
The deserters report that General Valmasedo
had all his available force in this engagement
and had thirty-two pieces OF artillery OF the
most approved character, six of which were "A
FOUNDER rfed Parrot guns, with two regiments
of cavalry and six brgadcs Ut infantry. Inc
Cubans had only thirteen pieces OF artillery, OF
small calibre. with no effective ly-equipped cav
airy. The result of this battle, which has beer
the first of importance since the commencement
of the revolution caused great rejoicing IN th'
Cuban army, and among those on the Island WhI
sympathize with the movement.
A letter from Havana states that the Govern
ment exercises the most rigid surveillance oyeI
the telegraph and mails, and that nothing Is per
mitted to be sent by telegraph giving an accoun
of military operations excepting that turmshe!
by the Government Every private despatch
passes through the hands OF Spanish othclal
The same letter says the N tain-General is II
constant dread of the volunteers, and fear
they will drive him out and seize the GOV
eminent, and declare the island independen
of Spain.
General Lesca who has been here for som
time, is known to be in the interest OF the Yolun
teers
The outrages increase fearfully, and are OF {
character too revolving to be believed.