The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-11
CUBA.

Further Particulars Of tho Battle of Inns
Tunas-The Defeat Of tho spaninrds--
Chivalrous Conduct Of tho Cubuns-Number
Killed and Wounded Both sides.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 10. 1859.
Letters from Cuba, via Key West received yester-
day give the following account Of the battle near
Las Tunas:-On the 10th ult. accommodating party
was sent out BY General Quesada numbering 800
men. On the afternoon OF the same day this force
was attacked by largely superior numbers, but sue
ceeded. with loss OF ffty-fve In killed, wounded
and missing, in regaining the main body. The COM
handing general Immediately prepared for an
attack, which did not take place until the 18th. On
the morning Of that day General valmaseda was
reported as approaching with 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 commenced
the fight with artillery The artillery made
but little impression on 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 given. ana
1t was 30 effective that the Spanish line was thrown
into disorder and compelled to fall back under pro-
lection OF the artillery After three hours the
attack was renewed by valmaseda's entire force,
numbering as was reported by deserters, over 1000
enective men, more than one-half regular troops
The Cuban force was about 5000, Of whom 1000
were well armed.
The contest lasted 1--WE hours, when vamaseda
was forced to give way and fall back on his FORTH
cations at Las Tunas. The loss Of the Cubans was
In killed seventytwo, among them several offlcers,
whose names are not given wounded severely 107.
slightly wounded 150 missing fortyseve while that
Of the Spaniards Is reported IN killed and wounded
over 900. Two hundred Of their dead and wounded
were left on the field There were nearly 400 deserters
and 270 prisoners captured. The deserters report
that General vamaseda had all his available force
in this engagement and had thirty-two pieces Of
artillery Of the most approved character, six Of
which were M-pounder rined PARROT guns, with
two regiments Of cavalry and six brigades OF in
fantry. The Cubans had only thirteen pieces Of
artillery Of small calibre, with no effectively
equipped cavalry. The result Of this battle which
has been the first Of importance since the COM
mencement Of the revolution, causes great rejoic.
ing in the Cuban army and among those on the
island who sympathize with their movement.
A letter from Havana states that the government
exercises the most rigid surveillance over the tele-
graph and mails SO that nothing is permitted to
be sent by telegraph giving accounts Of military
operations excepting that furnished by the govern
ment. Every private despatch passes through the
hands Of q Spanish oficial.
The same letter says:-
The CAPTAIN General is In constant dread Of the
volunteers, and fears they Will drive MIN out and
seize the government and declare the island 1nde
pendent lof Spain. General Lesca, who has been
here for time is known to be In the interest OF
the volunteers. The outrages increase fearfully,
aud are Of character too revolving to be belleved
- - s--.' Z
Colonel Udalta's Trial-The Spanish Tactics.
HAVANA, Sept. 10, 1869.
court martial Ia now in session in this city en-
gagged in trying Colonel Udalta, who was Lieutenant
Governor at the beginning Of the rebellion.
La Fr'ensa thinks the best plan ia to say less re-
garding the sailing OF contraband steamers from