New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-09-28

ne hau discovered TO be most easily aSSaable with
these insignificant resources, he succeeded in driving
body of about 200 Spanish regulars all well armed
with Peabody rifles to their boats. In the whole of
this exciting affair not a man on our side was
injured while the enemy suffered considerably, in
GLIDING the loss of one or two drowned in the
hasty embarkation. We found IN their encampment,
moreover welcome quantity Of food, clothing and
ammunition.
For several days subsequent to this skiTrnish
time was principally taken up with Reconnaissance,
many of them extending a considerable distance
into the INTERIOR in the course of which we found
frequent traces of recent occupation by hostile par
ties, but came into no direct collision with them 1t
was evident to the best informed among our leaders
that nothing except united and harmonious action,
and the suppression of the wretched jeaouses which
had done so much toward dividing our c0unsels,
were needed to sweep the entire district, and eXpel
with little loss of time every vesige OF Spanish mill
tary authority from this department. Unhapplly,
the lack of efficiency among many of our officers,
with the direct and inevitable consequences of their
untrustwOrthiness upon the men, rendered it for
long time next to impossible to enter upon deter
mined aggressive campaign Repeated attempts
were made in these early days to inspire the troops
with the necessary spirit, but TOO often with most
haTassing results single ncid mt viii serve as
example. During the first week in June, party Of
our scouts headed, | believe by Gen. Jor-
dan himself, discovered camp of about 100 Spanish
troops in position not very distant from Tacajo,
Of considerable strategic Importance, inasmuCh as
its occupation would compel the abandonment of
several others surrounding it, The condition of the
country was extremely favorable for an attack and
it could clearly have been taken with great ease and
probably with little material loss. An assault was
carefully planned, involving the advance OF about
1000 Of our men, Owing to circumstances which l
need not here repeat in detail but which may lie
spoken of as akin to the chief causes of discourage
ment before alluded to- only about half that number
could be gathered together for the occasion, These,
however would have been sufficient to accom-
plish the work in hand, if all parties con-
cerned had been disposed to heartily cooperate and
had shown the necessary prompitude III carrying out
the directions Of the chief officer. The plac'Was
closely invested, and our men were brought to
within 40 or 80 yards of the intrenchments, Gen.
Jordan leading the way, cheering and waving his
hat as an encouragement TO those behind him. From
what subsequently transpired, we learned that the
Spaniards were actually the point of suuendering
and that soldier stood ready to haul down the flag
at the first demand, when suddenly an outcry arose
to the effect that the enemy il 0urrear and in less
than 80 minutes the General was left standing almost
almost alone the bulk of bis entire force having
retIeated breathlessy to the neighbolng woods for
shelter The panic, as it presently turned out, was
caused By the trfng circumstance OF asmaH group
of lanc.rs - III number, who had ridden over from
Eoigrin to overlook our movements. Every en-
.', =, rro ,rc,arotiors copId Le made
" .Io ,o.itinn had becn STRENGTH
- s4 rcrl,d5ing = fresh atteuipt. No
-, -, i., boo,, more ,-evatious since TO
- ., ,,. ,-,,1l hove enable d ,,s to ruencoo
md prgl,.p. O. advance upon HOlgu with every
chance Of success. The works were virtually ours,
the Spanish trn having been almost entirely silenced,
and p,cpM ions for formal surrender beng III
progress % ti.e very instant Of the stampede.
About the s,'1g of June series OF rapid eXDedl-
tor5 was ,ltau.1yH possibiy with the purpose OF
IA "rsllr ac.UstnuIrs he men to the chances and
iez.rls OF Cuban aarlsrc which from time TO time
swept through Tire cote, plantations III the northern
mart q Inc groy.uce O. santiago gatEcring much
valuable information IN regard 70 til condition o.
the country and irHICiug considerable injury upon
the Spanish outposts thoug. corrG into s,rf-
Gus collision with their forces III" GOOD results were
soon apparent in the increased a'dcIty ana sleaui
ness Of the men, but were not so distinctly OBJ
vious among the officers. At one time we
had runIOrs of an intended attack III force
uron a fortified position Of strength and
importance among the mountains, and, az well as
can judge with chc limited geographical intelligence
at hand, within the borders OF the Holguin district
A demonstration was certainly made and with dam
aging results TO the enemy but rs the movement
was arranged With unusual secrecy and caution did
not reach the ground until the affair was over and
orr troops were preparing to withdraw. We had
suffered no sufficient injury to render retreat neccs-
sary and it is therefore probable that the design
was simply to convey the idea that our time
for taking the field in earnest and boldly
assuming the aggressive had arrived For