The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-08-27

rent bc an located at Savanilla, and why was
| that town selected as temporary capitals
Colonel Ouesada. President Cespedes and
Cabinet have been there since the 18th OF June.
The place was selected for Its convenience OF
location, and because it is considered impreR-
nable. small army could defend it against q
large force. :
.. The CURANs CASTING THEM owH oANNoN.
Reporter. What was the situation Of affairs
in the immediate neighborhood of the seat OF
government when you left ,. .-
Colonel Quesada. The government has
foundry in the Sierras, near by. which is now
turning ont frst-clsss cannon OF BIZ, ten, Six
teen, aud twenty four pounds calibre. There
is well.appointed printing establishment
there, at which are printed the Boletin official
Of the government and a,political paper called
the Cubano Libre. There are from 5000 to
10, 600 troops IN the town and the immediate
neghborhood. The number OF the command
ia sometimes varied according to the opera
tious going on at surrounding points.
THE PATRIOTS WELL ARMED AND EQUIPPED.
Reporter. What is the condition of the COM
mand and their disciplined
Colonel Quesada. must tell you frankly
that our troops are we'll armed and disciplined,
those OF that department I mean who are
under my brothers command. OF them only
can speak from personal observation. The
men have good arms, abundance of ammuni-
ton, but are much IN need of clothing and
shoes.
SCARCITY OF CLOTHING.
Reporter. You do not mean to say that Gene
raj Quesada's command is in absolute need of
clothing and shoes, do you, Colonel?
Colonel Quesada. must say that no people
ever needed those articles more. What can
tell u is that there are camps OF our brave
troops which ladies cannot visit because the
men are so scantily dressed, and also there
arc near Sayanilla full twenty-five hundred
Cuban ladies who are as naked as some OF our
men. They are there with their children;
preFerring to share ever, privation in the field
to remaining in heir elegant town homes away
from their husbands fathers. sons and brothers
and be subjected to the insults and oppression
OF t5e officers and men OF the army OF Spain.
They have pleanty to eat, and money also, but
there is great want OF clothing since our
men, as well as their families, have in most
Instances had to flee their homes with the
single suit on their backs.
Reporter. Is tbs same scarcity prevalent
in General Quesada's aud General Jordan's de-
psrtment?
Colonel Quesada. No, it is not. It was
expected that Holguin would fall into our pos
session by the 25th ultimo, from where sup
plies of clothing and shoes could be obtained.
iHclguin has since been taken.-ED.] The
men bear it cheerfully, and are ever on the
alert and anxious to meet their Spanish foes.
TUE PATRIOT FORCE.
Reporter. About what number OF patriots
are now under arms ?
Colonel Quesada. There are from 10000
to As 600 men who are regularly supplied with
noderu arms, mostly from the United States.
These belong to our regular army. Then
there are about 5000 men in separate COM
mands Of various sizes, who are but inditfer::
emily armed with shot guns, revolyers, and
mqcIe.es, sort OF knife between q butchers
meat axe and huge bowie knife.
ARMS LANDED IN SAFETY.
Reporter. Have any arms been landed on
the islsndrecently
Colonel Quesada. Two schoouers made a
landing near Tuna River, on or about the 18th
ult. They brought the arms now in the hands
OF General Cayads's force near Villa Clara.
They also brought twelve pieces OF artillery.
A vessel was daily expected when left with
dozen siege pieces. which we're more needed
than any other arm.
pHsHRTIoNs FROM TIE SPANISH RANKS.
Reporter. Are there many desertions from
the enemy's ranks?
Colonel Quesada. assure yoa that at the
rate deserters come into our clmps and lay
down their arms, we will be able to drive
Spanish authority from the island within Blk
months. They come singly, by squads. and
BY companies. Two colonels and several cap.
was nc Savania. I refer to Spanish officers.
There is not q day but what We re ,eive desert
ers from the volunteer forces at Nuevitas,
Puerto Principe and Trinidad. The same re-
port is made from all other commanders.
PLENTY OF PRovIsIoNs-SECURITY FOB CUBAN
BONDS.
| Reporter. And provisions for your troops.
have you abundance
Colonel Quesada. Yes, and in great excess
| Of all our wants.
| Reporter. Have you any products OF the is-
land in store in the interior
Colonel Quesada. There are millions Of dol
lars worth Of sugar, tobacco and wax ready
for expectation and exchange, which Will be
sent abroad for supplies at the first opportu-
nifty.
Reporter. Are your means of communica-
lion with General Jordan aud other generals
kept open 2
| Colonel Quesada. President Cespedes. as
also my brother, have daily reports from both
General Jordan and General Cavada, the two
department commanders.
SUCCESS OF THE CUBAN PLAN OF CAMPAIGN.
Reporter. Was there any engagement Of
note between your forces AMI the Spanlards
while you were on the island?
Colonel Quesada. There were engagements
without number, but the only battle OF especial
note was that Of Guaimaro on the 1th Of last
|
Trinidad TO pursue body Of our men who were
on a reconnoitering expedition. We took his
whole command prisoners. he saved himself
| by fight aud the superiority Of his Arabian
horse over our animals. Goyenche was four
dIys reaching Trinidad after the defeat.
Our plan has been systematic torment OF the
enemy without risking any general engage
ment. We hold some eight hundred prisoners,
or did when I left. It was proposed to begin a
system Of retaliation on our shameless enemy.
Ilearn since my arrival here that President
Cespedes had finally declared his intention to
retaliate.
FREE CUBA.
Reporter. What about slavery?
Colonel Quesada. Slavery ID dead in Cuba.
There are thousands Of negroes who have been
voluntarily freed by our people and govern.
ment, and other thousands who have escaped
| from Spanish masters on different parts OF the
island. If we had arms for them all, there
would not be vestige Of Spanish authority
forty. eight hours after they had the use OF
| them.
THE PATRIOT RESERVE.
Reporter. Then, Colonel, counting your freed
slaves and all, bow many men could you depend
| upon at an early date if you had the arms?
I Colonel Quesada. think 10000 men at