The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1869-05-28
General 8utelli9enee.
THE CUBAN WAR.
A Cuban Account of the Fight at
Altagraeia.


The following letter, says a Havana cor
respondent was written on the field OF
battle by young Cuban who participated
in the recent fight near Puerto Principe:
On the Both all the necessary arrange
ments had been made, and orders had
been given to be ready to surround Lesca
on his return from Nuevitas, and annihi-
late his army not only by superiority of
numbers, but also by displaying such valor
as is denied to us by orr enemies, but is
nevertheless inherent in every Cuban
Lesca was to have arrived at the place
where we expected to surround him on
the afternoon of the LIST instant, but
Judge of our surprise when We learned
that our intended manpuvre had been be-
trayed or else disclosed by some careless
official. Quesada was furious, ana calling
a council of general officers, he informed
them that Notwithstanding the failure OF
his original plan, he was determined to
fight and whip Lesca at any cost. Raising
his voice he added: .'Gentlemen, l mean
to fight, and you will fight even if not
single man escapes the carnage alive, but
where or when l keep to myself, and you
will hold yourself ready to obey such or
ders as may be handed you by my staff
officers" This short discourse was receiv-
ed with almost general satisfaction, and
during the afternoon orders were received
to march toward Puerto Principe.
place named Sabana was reached at 5
o'clock. During the night and on the fol-
lowing morning spies and advanced guards
arrived announcing the approach of Lesca,
the negroes and many whites in the mean
time digging intrechments and raising
breastworks. Lesca's advance guard came
mp at about II o'clock, but was not modest
ed until it had passed the intrenchments,
when volley was poured upon them from
both sides of the road, throwing them into
confusion. They attempted to fall back on
the main body, but it was already too late,
and Lesca, seeing the danger of his ad.
vance, advanced at a double-quick to rescue
them.
In the meantime Queseda had placed his
entire force in available positions, so as
to flank the enemy either to the right or
the right oblique, the left being almost i'm
passable, and defended by a company OF
rifemen from Bayamo. He then organized
a picket rear guard of 450 men, composed
ofDominicans, Americans and other for
eigners, and Bembetas and Santa Lucia's
detachment of Puerto Principians, and gave
them orders to advance only in case of ex-
treme necessity, but to fire in the ranks OF
the main body and march over them should
they waver or retreat from the Spaniards.
The main body, informed of these orders,
stated that they alone would annihilate the
Spaniards. By that time the fire had be-
come general along the line. The front
rank stood coollv under the fire; few left
the ranks and attempted 10 run toward the
woods, bat the determined stand of the
rear guard and their undoubted intention
to fire on any one who should attempt
to fly, drove the towards back into the
lines.
A small body of Quesadas forces de-
tached themselves without orders from the
main body, bnt was quickly driven back by
the Spaniards, who advanced to attack the
patriots with the bayonet, but were re-
pulsed. A second attack met the same
tate, when the detachment before men,
toned again left from the main body, and
advanced on the Spaniards, who, with a
yell, attacked them and entered the in
trenchments, together with the detach-
ment, butchering them one by one The
line thus broken, wavered, and everything
seemed over, with victory for the Span
iards, when Quesada ordered Coils. Lopez
and Bembeta to advance with the rear
guard, the very flower of the army
A rush like that of herd of cattle, q
single volley, and L saw no more for min
ute, a pistol ball having almost blinded
me and slightly grazed my head. The adj
vance guard had run over their own army,
driving them in their impetuosity through
the very midst of the Spanish CENTER
Facing to the right and left after disnharg-
ing n volleyg they then attacked the Span
iards with such strength as to make them
seek safety III flight, and gather around
their rear guard to reform themselves,
while our main body. now placed in the
rear and on the flank of the Spaniards,
kept up an incessant fire. A false report
was brought to Quesada that Letona, with
fresh troops, was coming to Lesca' s rescue,
but it proved untrue. The day was Ours
and the battle won.
We lost 300 killed and over 400 wounded:
the Spaniards 20G killed and $50 wounded,
which difference must be ascribed to their
superiority in respect to weapons. The
forces engaged on both sides numbered
/, 300 to 400 Spaniards, and about 3, 500
Cubans, many of these badly armed. This
liz the first, but will not be the last of
series of engagements, which will not only
defeat the best laid plans of the Span
lards, but make US masters of the situation,
and place the whole of the Central and
Eastern Departments, with many slices
from the Cnco Villas in our possession,
before the rainy season has fairly COM
menced