The New York herald., 1869-03-05
@ u B A

Tho March ON Puerto Principe-Nows from
the villa Clara District-Insurgent Order 20
Burn Plantntions-Cavalry Needed-Profes.
sor Agassiz as Havana.
HAVANA Feb. 90, 1s69
The point OF interest and the one to which atten-
tion Is attracted Is Puerto Principe in connec
tion with the march upon that place by the govern
ment forces from Guarala. For many months the
insurgents have been preparing for an attempt
to move by .he direct road from Nuevitas to
Principe, but Lesca, their commander not caring
to throw Mis- men against fortidcations or
to ''move on the enemy's works. when 1t
was unnecessary, has quietly avoided them by taking
another route His movements, however, must be
understood by Quesada, who can easily throw his
whole force in his opponents 'front.' provided he has
an inclination to fight. II not, 1t may safely be set
down that there is no fight the Cuban insurgents,
and that they expect to succeed otherwise than by
hard knocks, If at all.
The movement from Nuevtas to Guanaja was to
be In connection with the force which LETT here in
two small gunboats, towed by the steamer Concrete,
on the 9th inst, mentioned in previous letter Ow
ing to contrary winds and high sea the latter
compelled to put In at Sagua and Key Frances, and
did not arrive at the mouth OF the Carabelas river
until the 18th. From that point to the hamlet OF
Guanaa there is but slight dranght OF water and the
small schooners had joined the expedition at Cal
barien, and it required the most strenuous exer-
tions to reach the other side, and this was not ac-
compshed until the morning OF the 10th. Here the
force waited until three p. NJ for the column from
Nuevitas; but. It not arriving, the movement was
continued toward Guanaja One or two OF the
vessels got aground, and gunshot distance was not
reached until the 18th, and the bombardment at
once commenced. From the first shot the people
were seen to nee and the shells having set fire to
some thatched roofs, the firing was suspended and
force OF $50 men landed, who found the place en-
tirely abandoned. Shortly after o few individuals
came in, stating that the insurgents, anticipating
hostilities, had abandoned their position carrying
away their artillery. Entertainments were found ex-
tending through the town fronting the sea, formed
by old molasses casks half inferred filled with earth
and covered with enormous logs OF mahogany and
cedar. These were Immediately destroyed
The column from Nuevitas arrived on the morning
Of the 18th, landed at ten O'Clock A. NJ, and the
march OF the combined forces commenced on the
Elst, small garrison being left in Guanaja with
munitions and provisions. ,
The troops which recently arrived ere from Spain
have mostly departed for the seat OF insurrectlon
leaving Havana once more at the mercy OF the volun
teers On the Gath column lef for Caibarcn, and
yesterday 1000 chasseurs under command Of Gen.
OSs
While in the extreme east all military operations are
suspended, the government seems determind to re-
store order In the west II possible.
Our news from the insurrection Is meagre Spanish
accounts from Santa Cruz. the 21st say the insur
gents are retiring in bands for the mountains and
seeking the most remote and unapproachable locali.
sea TO Guayaba returning on the 21st. They at
tackled and dispersed several bands OF the enemy
capturing seven horses, plenty or provisions and a
quantity Of wax. Six rebels avaed Of the amnesty
About seventy persons, some OF whom we're women
and old men, wandering about. flying from the
enemy, took refuge with the troops and returned
with them.
Espiritu, Trinidad and Cienfuegos, arrived at Bata
hano last evening. She brings dates from the latter
place to the oath. On that day Colonel Morales de
having, as say the accounts severely beaten the
enemy on the margin OF the river Damuji and recap
already named General Cespedes. In this action
Mexican general was captured and shot. Among
the wounded was q physician. The troops captured
Of money.
A letter from Caibasien dated the Goth says:-oThe
insurgents are reported all around MS and skrmishes
are said to have taken place In other parts OF our
jurisdiction between them and the government
forces, with results not known. So far this place
telegraph with Havanan
Dates from Santiago de Cuba are to the 10TH The
Reddc0r OF that city, In It's issue OF the 10TH con-
tains what Durports to be copy OF an order issued
by the insurgent General Gomez to Colonel Perez,
LrBRRATINs ARMY OF CUuA:-I have Just had an inter.
view with Citizen General Maximo Gomez directs that
coed 10 the desruon Of other sugar Estates in osr b,
the owner. DO no. obtain whsrewth pay
therefore, the forthwith, Respecting the
' I.ssrssd - : ''''' ''' FELIX FiGUEkDo fiij a
Dates from Manzanillo are to the Goth. Colonel
Adrian left with his column on the 18th, escorting
convoy OF munitions and provisions for the troops OF
Valmaseda at BayamO. From Palmas to Yara the
troops were much harassed. The Dtnfo gives two
versions OF the result. The first that on the route
Adrani divided his force into four divisions taking
one course with the three and leaving the fourth
with the convoy Sdrec directing It, attacked, to
It. The rebels soon appeared, and the troops
were not slow to obey the orders they had
convoy the other three divisions OF troops fell upon
them with great impetuoslty. leaving many dead on
version that the troops arrived safely in Yara and
that While there eighty rebels presented themselves
for amnesty ana tine Says ave troops" he mobzed
alive. The column was expected to return to Man
zanillo In fifteen DAYS. A sortie was made from the
latter place on the Goth by q small force which re-
turned the next day without having met a single
enemy.
Tue government seems to be in great need OF cav.
airy and the papers here calling attention to the
fact. The Pre7sa of tho 25th has q communication
which says IL is mperatively necessary repeat In
loud voics and TO print IN large type that which
every boy can discern, yiz-that with an enemy
mounted familiar with the ground and Away ready
III
VIII be OF little TO think Of pursuing with infant
~ and attempt to push him forward IN
the direction or our main forces. 1t Is very
easy for our governors to make requisltion and
obtain more horses than are required for the pur-
pose, especially In the jurisdictions invaded. All
the sugar estates have ample number OF
horses, which, before being passed over 10 tho
insurgents, ought TO be delivered 10 us In order
that the immense estates might be protected. The
horses obtained there are plenty OF infantry to
ride them without requiring instruction in horse
manship. This matter Is urgent-It IL vital-it
even concerns the health OF our infantry,
which would not be compelled 10 make so
many forced marches IN this fearful climate were
they provided with horses. Even when they reach
the enemy the chiefs succeed In baking pursuit."
In the same article the correspondent advises the
placing OF a price on the heads OF the insurgent
chiefs. II says:-''The most liberal governments
have not hesitated TO place price on the heads OF
rObbcr Chiefs which has always yielded the best re-
SUITS Immoral combinations, Instituted for immo.
raj purposes are easily dissolved by means OF cor
ruption. II pardon and reward be offered for these
Chiefs dead or alive those barDarans who, not from
q love OF patrtd (which they are destroylng), but
frnt afto IN nj vif