The New York herald., 1869-05-08
American Reports from the Field
of Revolution.
PROCLAMATION OF VALMASEDA
THE CONGRESS- AT SIBANICU.
SPANISH ACCOUNTS.

Arrival OF Engineers from the Insurrecti0nary
Districts-Life Among the Patri0ts-Grand
Congress mt Sibanicu-The War Declared to
be for Annexation-The Sugar Crop.
HAVANA, April 80, 1852
On Wednesday last arrived here from Nuevitas on
O sailing vessel three American engineers, named
Orlando U. Smith. OF Newark, N. j.; Alexander
Crumbie. OF Newburg N. Y, and Virgil @. Wheaton.
OF Cape May, N. j., they having been employed on
certain sugar estates In the jurisdiction OF Puerto
Principe from last fall up to the early part OF the
present month. They were among those American
citizens spoken Of by Rear Admiral HOn in com.
munication TO the Navy Department, and concern
ing whom he had applied to the Captain General,
who sent orders to his officers In that section that
they should facilitate the coming to Havana OF such
Americans as much as possible.
These engineers were on estates situated some
fifteen and twenty miles, respectively, from Puerto
Principe and owned by Cubans taking an active part
in the insurrection. From the opening Of the grind
ing season up to the Sd OF April operations on the
estates were actively carried on the negroes though
informed they were free, working on as usual At
the time mentioned orders were issued by the insur
gent authorities for them to be taken from the es-
tates for service in the held which was accordingly
done and all work at once ceased.
The engineers referred to received nothing from
their employers as owing to their long non.commu-
nication with the outer world they were without
money. They expressed great regret at this, and
hoped that the time was not far distant when their
claims could be settled. The engineers made their
way from Puerto Principe by circuitous route-in
way-tO Neuvitas, and thence shipped ON a schooner
to this place. Durlng the time they were at work
the estates were not molested either by government
or insurrectiOnary forces though some OuerS the
vicinity were destroyed, the sugar manufactured
being fed to horses, who eat IL with av!dity, or
scattered upon the ground. One or these
estates was owned by the brothers Arteaga.
One of them, In the early part of pecem-
Ssr them that hey were ee men and at
liberty to go wherever they chose. He would prefer
to have them remain with him until the crop was IN
and he would pay them for their labor meanwhile
They received his announcement with much enthu-
siasm, and unanimously decided to remain. AS
insurgent ranks they manifested their entire viii
llngness shouting. "pica Caba Lt0re I" "Vara Ces-
ledeS ~ and Otner patriotic cries.
From the statements Of these engineers 1t IS evil
dent that the numbers OF the concentrated bodies OF
insurgents, with arms for aggressive or defensive
warfare, have been greatly exaggerated. No such
force as 5000 and 10000 men have ever been col
lected, nor Is 1t probable that such number OF
effective firearms can be found IN Camaguey: Inc
tion the rebels go about In small bands, numbering
from fifty to seventy-hve. very many OF them but
The old Highlanders OF Scotland, described by
Scott the fight being over each one returns to his
business 20. or family interest, always ready at
any moment to catch up his weapon again
at the sound Of the pbroch csraI animated by
never again to submit to Spanish domination, they
not to appreciate the necessity OF organization
and discipline-all are equal and orders are obeyed
as they jlbe with the individual will. Though thus
scattered the country the aggregate OF the in
surgents very large and for any operation con-
siderable force can be easily collected. There OPP
posed Lesca in his march from GuanaJa to Puerto
Principe 500 men thus collected; put as tney were
together even under the advantages OF position they
could not oppose the disciplined troops. About the
fhArnn IN IA
OF provisions from Santa Cruz to Puerto Principe
but the same operated against the insurgents
and though they caused the Spaniard5 heavy loss,
they were unable to impede the progress OF the tran
II Is related that upon the return or the last convoy
from the coast 1t was arranged TO stampede large
herd CT cattle upon II and follow II up by an attack
In the confusion. A lookout was placed IN an ele-
waited tree commanding view OF the road with In
structions TO give signal at the proper moment
Seeing the troops in the distance and becoming
alarmed for his own safety he sgnalled too soon.
The stampede, as such, was success; put the road
was entirely clear when the troops came up.
In an attack upon one oil these conveys colonel
Porro, brave insurgent chlef was wounded. My
informants had a conversation with him al u point
on the road, in which lie expressed his Intention Of
taking the saddle again very soon.
gress was held at sbanicu, where were gathered
representatives from all parts OF the island even
from the vicinity OF Havana. Cespedes was present
and presided. Que5ada was, by vote unanimously,
elected commandern-chlef Of all the forces In the
island, and q resolution was passed, without dis
senng voice. declaring that TINS contest is for an
Dexat,on 10 the United States. Otner details Of the
action OF this body are not given, but all It's men,
bers were sanguine OF success ana aeterminea 10
they reason as follows:-The United states, In
order to round and complete her position as great
maritime nation and for her safety IN case OF foreign
war, needs Cuba, and must ultimately have IT, and
we-can and VIII mold out until something turns up
which Will cause her to interfere In our favor. Both
the sympatnes ana the interests OF the people of
the United states are with us, ana they Will assist
us with means and men, lndependent OF their
strength OF the patriots the rainy season Is at hand
Once opened, the spanish troops VIII be unable to
move from their encampments or barracks In the
cities, nor can they transport provisions from the
coast save by railroad. Thirty thousand men along
the line OF the road between Principe ana Neuvltas
to supply Principe for the rainy season. We are con-
cenratlng every available man TO oppose the repair
ing the road and the transportation OF provislons
and either by preventing the repair or by subsequent
ly cutting the road We shall prevent the supplies
getting IN. Once the trains commence and all CON-
municaton ceases, the troops will soon be starved
out from the interior ana Puerto Principe and other
cities OF importane viii fall into our hands. All
season IL over we sh-.l be well supplied with arms
and ready to meet the spaniards In the open field
certain to make deadly havoc In the ranks Of our
enemy, particularly with those recently arrived.
o asan ahe war against u.s. sne Is banSps now ans
matters are growing worse every day. Even though
she should send $4,000 additional men against we
can hold out for two years and long ere that her
efforts must cease from mere exhaustion.
The fact IL undoubted that the great mass OF
the Cubans were opposed to initiating the insurrec-
iion at the time IL opened It was thought better to
wait until the present crop was In, the proceeds OF
which would enable them 70 supply themselves with
arms. Meanwhile the necessary organization Is
going forward Once prepared they could have pre-
cipitated themselves on the few troops the island
and gained advantages which could not subsequently
have been wrested from them. Nevertheless Cespedes
and his immediate coadjutors raised the standard
and the patriots have been compelled 10 meet the
operations Of the constantly Increasing forces,
powerless to do anything, for"they were waiting for
arms. Much I'll feeling has been the result yet all
ood fpf,n tha lin toou all
When Quesada was placed In command Napoleon
Arrange Withdrew and endeavored to get up another
party, and subsequently TO arrange peace. Arrange
remains under arrest In Gibanicon, and naturally
curious stories are told about bim-such as that ne
Is q traitor; that at one time he had vamaseda
rounded and without ammunition and that he per-
mitted his escape, inducing his 70 withdraw by
informing them that cargo OF arms about land
Ing and u was necessary they should 20 to protect
and receive them. IL H. however, probable that he IN
guilty only Of difference Of opinion and that he Will
be released