The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-06

CUBA.

| The Patriot Forces Near Principe-Flags of
characterization for Transportatfon-
Affairs in Princfpe-vaImaseda's March
The Cuban Idea Annexati0n-Hatred BE.
tween Natives and Spaniards.
NUEvITAs, Jan. Is, 1862
In my last, dated the 14th, informed you that
Quesada concentrating his forces for an attack
| on Puerto Principe. His plans were changed by
the arrival OF reinforcements at this point OF which
he obtained knowledge through his scouts and spies,
and his forces sent back to this Vicinity From
persons who came in through the insurgent lines on
the 18th learn that their forces collected within
radius Of ten miles from this port, number over
5000 men, well armed and far better organized than
heretofore. The troops here. numbering about 1000
men. are dong nothing, being stationed ut the
railroad barracks. This inaction is supposed
to be partly the result OF prudence, await
ing further reinforcements, and partly on
account OF the efforts Of the commissioners
to hold conference with the rebels. On the 2st two
OF these commissioners, Messrs. Tamayo and Correa
arrived here from the principal camp of the insur-
gents Nothing has transpred yet OF the result OF
their mission, but it is whispered that they have not
made any Roadway In the direction Of peace Mr..
De Armas, the third commissioner left here the 10th
on the gunboat Africa for Glbara for the purpose OF
having an interview with Cespedes, who Is between
| that place and Holguin.
Flags OF truce have been the order OF late On the
10th one came to the edge OF the town. accompanied
by about sixteen well mounted men and headed
by the guerilla chief A. Castillo. 1t appears that
either through ignorance or fear the pckets fired on
them-a compliment which they were not slow to
return-and for few moments the balls whistled
through the place thick and fast. On the 10th con-
siderable excitement caused by the appearance
Of another nag. which was carried to the Governors
house. The bearer was Senior van, accompanied
by guide From the Governors they went together
with his Excelency. to the headquarters OF the
| colonel commanding, where, after being closeted
| for while, they returned to dine, to the great
disgust Of the bgoted spaniards. At ten O'Clock
In the evening the Governor in person
vsn ncSsa
| rumored that the flag was from General Quesada,
VINO demanded that the property OF the farmers and
as had been the case when the troops out for
| forage. and threatened retaliation In case such
| destruction did not cease For some time past the
authorities here have been sending out carts for
forage to small sugar estate about mile distant
squadron OF cavalry and from 200 70 infantry on
which occasions the depredations referred TO have
The Governor recently made a requ,sition on the
citizens for 100 OK CARTS with two yoke OF oxen ut
| tached to each, and for 400 horses. This was a
severe demand, as the whole town and district now
| under Spanish dominion does not contain the num-
Der required The police went through the streets,
and the poor charcoal burners and others who had
brought produce to town were quickly relieved OF
their animals. II Is thus the poor people suffer. The
insurgents seize on their cattle and everything else
| they may need, without satisfaction, and
| the government seizes what IL left. What
operations be forwarded through the supplies
| and materials thus obtained does not yet appear
On the 2lst the few families living at San Miguel
abandoned the place and came here, as the insur
gents were . continually svTms ,n around and
wounded soldiers, hit on the GOTH On the night Of
the I'D small party attacked the pickets stationed
mn Ia nj tha fnxsn and Hru Eutxf
for about fifteen minutes One soldier was mortaly
| wounded. None OF the troops went out. on exam
iards ascertained the dsagreeable fact that their
enemies were supplied with Peabody rlnes as they
around Another ssrsh tooR place On e na ,as
| OF the I'D, but without result
| From n gentleman who left Puerto Principe on
the 10th learn that the condition Of affairs there
/ very bad. The government has now only about go
| troops, and the insurgents pick OF the sentlnels
every night Mena barrIcadln4 the centre OF the
city over 200 OF the colored volunteers had left the
/ place, taking their arms with them. Provisions
were getting very scarce p1 IN nag peen ccncocted
where all tho powder IL stored, and which also the
headquarters OF the government Everything. In.
volunteer who was to fire y informed his half
| brother who was on duty at the place, and the
whole airsir was discovered. The mulatto Is to be
i garroted.
Through young Englishman of much Intelli-
gence recently rom tns m,efor Learn ans follow,
viii be recollected that valmaseda lefs San Miguel
on the 22d OF December. He started towards Las
Tunas leaving SIbancu to his right, harassed con.
| tinualy by tho guerlas. lie destroyed every hut
and habitation on his route ON entering L8s 1unas
| he brought with him over 100 wounded. Here he
joined forces with Colonel L0n0 and started towards
| Bayamo. Five leagues from thence runs he river
| Cauto, narrow, deep, rapid stream. Bdween IL
| and Las Tu1as there ~ q stretch OF l0wwooded
country, about ten leagues In extent caedthe Sa-
lado. Through this vaimaseda had to pass annoyed
all the way. At the river the insurgents made
| desperate resistance. The troops were compelled
10 attack, sometimes with great loss OF lie, and
finally succeeded In carrying the works, wien Sc
we're contest took place. the troops with the ayonet
and the rebels with mdchetes. The insurgpDt loss
was about nifty, that OF the troops much heavier,
and, among Others, Colonel Lono, cut down by
negro with q mdchetc. No further resistance was
made and valmaseda arrived ut Bayamo
on the 10th TO ind 1t abandoned and de-
stroyed-not q house left. HIS losses amounted to
over 500 men, and the sunerings OF himself and men
were very great. My informant left Sibanicu on
the 10th and passed through large bodies Of insnr-
gents. Every one had q c0ckade IN his hat formed
OF red white blue col0rs, the star made OF silver
and gold, and many worked By fair hands with
bp0 nm RI mi VpI warn