The New York herald., 1869-05-20
Fight mt Altagracia.

Fight mt Altagracia.
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
The citizen Genera-in-Chief informs the Secretary
LIBERATING ARMY HEADQUARTERS.
have the satisfaction transcriDe the report just
received from the Major General Of the Army OF Ca
maguey:-
We had an encounter with the enemy yesterday
afternoon on the summit Of Altagraca, and although
the firing only lasted three-quarters OF an hour. 1t
NAV be considered q complete victory because OF
soldiers fought and the damage caused to the enemy
At half-past four p. NJ the enemy appeared In con
siderable numbers. divided in two columns. advanc
ing by the railroad line and the main road between
Yaguajay and Camaguey. The column which was
marching by the latter road received the fire Of the
seventeen rlfemen and flftythree carbineers which
were in ambush, under the immediate orders Of
Citizen Lieutenant Coronel Lope Rosio, who retired
after repusing company or detachment Of flankers
and killing several negroes and the captain who
The snemy's forces having concentrated at the
crossing of both roads they remained within
reach Of the rlnemen of Citizen Colonel
valdes, who, Jointly with some carbineers
occupied the centre of our entrenchment and COM
menced well directed fire, sustained for nalr an
hour, with abundant loss to the enemy The Span
iards would not advance despite the yoclferops %
vanguard was substituted by veteran soldiers, be-
cause there interval OF complete silence; the
coumnes advanced. Nevertheless, our fire. which
extended with excellent aim by the left wing OF our
intrenchment, completely commanding and crossing
the enemys column broke his 'front.' The assault
was prevented and they were obliged to look to the
right iank with which we succeeded In deceivng the
enemy, because the intrenchment which we desired
to sustain angular to the lett side or the rail-
road. In erect, when they reached the flank on
that side In which the only object on the line was to
deceive the enemy, the af0renamed forces OF Colonel
Vades, that occupied said intrenchment, retired to
the one at right angles, and when the enemy thought
himself master OF our redoubt he fastened TO at
tack the left wing by the rear guard and found him
sell ON the side the angle following the road, and
receiving in full the fire thereof till by depoying he
reached the head OF the intrenchment to hank II,
the time when his fankers the right threat
ened the extreme end OF our left wing. Our men
then jointly retired, and did It III the most orderly
style.
/ am certain that the loss OF the enemy exceeds
200 men, because the flrng kept up with deadly
and well directed aim, and we could see the soldiers
fan in large numbers Our troops have never fought
better; never have they fired with greater order and
collectedness, have they obeyed the orders
OF their chiefs with aacrlty, without one single
comman9 o TO II this cause believe we owe thai our
victory OF yesterday complete one: not because
we only had two slightly wounded while the enemy
suffered heavily, but despite the heavy firing into
the intrenchments and great deal Of cannonading,
the shells OF which, however, were spent far from
u.s. but above ALL the excellent conduct observed by
our soldiers entities us to expect much from them.
The brigade OF Canao as likewise that OF Colonel
Porro commanded at this moment by Commandant
Romero, and equally 80 the rinemen under Lieuten-
fnt Colonel Reclo, have well known how to do their
duty; but ought 10 make special mention OF the
aged TO defend the difficult place connded to them
to the very utmost
Inc enemy scarcely DeleVe tnat Denin0 tnOse para
pets there were only 300 men opposed TO their nu-
merous forces.
We shall continue to harrass the enemy until his
arrival at Camaguey, and render difficult the
struction OF the railroad Notwithstanding COM
plete want OF sappers tools.
The chiefs that operate from Las Minas and Nue.
vitas have not communicated anything new to me-
Patria and liberty.
IGNACIO AGRAMoNTE LoYNAZ.
PLANTATION SANTA CRUZ May g. 1869.
And communicate the foregoing for general in.
formation. Patria aud liberty.
MANUEL QUESADA,
GUIMARo, May g. 1859. General in chief
Published for general Information and satisfac
ton. Patria aud liberty.
PEDRO FIGUERED0,
sub-Secretary OF War.
GUIxARo, May O. 1892