The New York herald., 1870-05-24
G v B a
A FOREIGNER AMONG THE INSURGENTS.
The Character of Spanish Operations Their
Want Of Success Explained-The Insurgeat
Mode Of Warfare = Their Condition
and Modes Of Life -Heroism OF tho
Cuban Women = Approach OF
the Rainy Season.


became wel acquainted with the character OF the
Spanards and ma ives He has had peculiar faciil-
ties for learning the style OF operations and tner
results, the disposition or the leaders and the GUS
TOMS and mod Of life of the people IN the insurrec
tionary districts, hemmed in as they are by the
spanish mil tary and marine forces. He was at one
time with the Insurgents, though not serving IN
their ranEs and was among those VINO on certain
occasion found 1t convenient to present mmseu LOT
fear OF worse fate. After many difilculties and
dangers, which 1t were not prudent to recount, he
succeeded IN making his way to Havana, and thence
10 New YORK. With no interest Ill the sue
cess OF the insurrecton beyond what every
republican should feel for people struggling
for liberty, he has recouned plain statement OF
facts which, while il does not place the Cuban
In as favorable light as its friends could wish,
clearly demonstrates that the insurgents can con-
tnue their present style OF warfare for an indefinite
period, and that the suppression OF the lnsurrccton
is Mt all events thing OF the remote future.
In an interview with our reporter he started OFF
by saying that the prominent Spanish leaders and
officials, from the Captain General down, are greatly
deceived not only TO the details OF the operations
in the insurrectionary Districts but to the results
OF them and consequently do not comprehend the
actual situation. There are two reasons for this-
First the chiefs OF columns who are naturally am.
bilious of satisfying their superiors and accomplish
ing their own advancement are accustomed to
make the most exaggerated reports OF their doings
and successes. Innumerable encounters are re-
ported, based only on the killing OF q few innocent
country people or the firing upon an imaginary ene-
my In the woods, and march OF four or five days,
which Is actually barren or results, Is represented
prolific OF most important succ sses in the sec
onu place. entirely erroneous ideas are entertained
OF tne feeing and condition OF the people owing TO
the iaise REPRESENTATIONS OF Napoleon arrange and
others VINO ae anxious 10 justify their own recre-
ancy and please the Spanish authorities
The winter campaign in the Camaguey under
Pueblo and Goyenecne was an entire laIlurc not so
much owing 10 the disastrous defeat OF the former
by Jordan on the 1st OF January and any military
operations against the latter tue utter inability Of
those leaders 10 find any enemy TO attack, though
the enemy really existed and always appeared some
where when 1t possible to do the Spanish cause
au injury. Tae Spaniards We're In despair when tue
Captain General arrived at Puerto Principe in March,
Though lie inausurated much greater activy I'M |
proved the coldlon OF the city and by his favorable
reports ol alfirs inspired confidence, he has done
iitiic more. Inc Insurgents have been disturbed
at varioGs times III Their encampments, many inno-
cent persons certainly have been Killed or captured
ana called Jresentad0S and tins is the sum. Tue
number OF killed and captured OF insurgents IN arms
sncs tho arrival Oh the Captain General Tn Camaguey
W0dld not make up respectable corporal's guard.
Those Of the insurgents proper who are killed or /
taken are OF the class known Majas, from Ger.
tam kind OF snake-men who abandon the party to |
which they belonged, despalrng Of success and |
ANXIOUS to separate themselves from the insurrec-
tion, and fearing 10 surrender or ignorant OF the
method OF Going II. These are occasionally sur
prised. CAPTURED and kel and aside from The non
cOmbatants, these only.
The cause oil the bal rennesS OF ODerati0ns that the
Spanish columns as rule never leave tn roads, the
exceptions being when they are led TO encarnp-
ment or rendezvous 10y DreSe0tddO hut tnis Is sell
dom. The contra guerillas sometimes deyiafe lite
from the road, but never far enough to accomplish
any practical result, fearing unbuscaies. Generally
however, some objective pont ls laid down--a
rancho or estate lor eAanple-and the direction
qsieiiy Keep out OF the way. Often column viii
pass within signt OF q considerable body or Cubans |
with no snspc on OF their whereahouts Arrives ~ |
nd no Ia do
by tue same route. More than this the columns can.
not do. Worn out as the men by the fatigue OF
marching undershe brolling sun, II Is all they can
do TO march along the beaten roads the game OF hide
ana seek VITA the rebels in The woods beng entirely
lmprachcabe, anu not likely 10 have important re-
suits II it were. The frnites or the operations
has been demonstrated la the Eastern Department. !
Where NaiInaseda commands. That officer has, and |
justly won the execratioDs ofmankind by his whole
sale bucheries II non-combatants yet II Is true that
o.her man IN the island. From the 1rst ne adopted
the system now In vogue In the Camaguey OF send !
ing out columns 10 hunt through the country, and
as tne result claimed, win what seemed to be
fruth thai he had cleared the districts OF SANTIAGO
de Cuba, Bayamo, hoguln and others Of insurgents,
ana completely pacihed Them. True, it was known |
that very lew insurgents We're captured killed, |
YET they had disappeared from their Old haunting !
grounds, ana that was accomplishing much.
or late, however, the insurgents have returned |
TO these jurisdictions. Modesto Disz is running
over BayamC. Marm0 is in considerable force in
Santiago de Cuba. Peralta Is st active III Hoiguin
notwith stdDdig his reported deicat and Vamesada,
and was quietly moving up TO Puerto Principe TO
how his superior was getting on was compelled TO
turn tail and hurry back with all speed. In hts re-
pors, TOO he far SUI passed DE Rodas in the number
or victories presented, and with him great capital
was maze nom them. Whatever the number really
was 1t Is now certain that IL indicated nothing, and
thereby the nsurrecton was not at all weakened.
AS is wei known the poicy OF the insurgents Is not
10 light III is mistake 10 call them towards. When
Ca ed upon 10 do so they viii stand up manfuly
and be shot at, or ready charge upon the Spaniards
aespiie tne superior or, armament; n but they nave
way. the lea4erS realizing that no good result
from the killing Of few Oh each side and satls-
lied Win the cJnlnued wearing and expensive ope-
ratoDs Inc Spanlards are compelled 10 keep up, ana
by which they are hopeful of firing their enemy.
At presenr they are awaiting the rainy and sicky !
season, Close at hand Already the Spanish sold
are beginning TO ieel the effects OF the climate Even
during The healthy season they have been iearfuy
decnGated. Many OF the battaions which came out
last ial have not hal their complement of men for
service. the insurgents say, "Once let them get
theu feet vet aud we have nothing more 10 fear |
from them during this season.
In the central and eastern departments are long |
ranges OF lJiiy nils hardly Of sufficient altitude be
cal ed mountains These are covered by virgin |
forests, through which there are roads path
way. Here the insurgents have retired, sale from
the pursuit OF the columns, which seek TO penetrate
where they are only In rare instances, and not until,
tunity has been afforded TO escape Here are Ces-
pede5 and the members OF his government, certainly
not lugiliyes wandering irom place TO place as has
been represented. Here are many OF the more
families OF Puerto Principe, such as the
nolnas Adanes, Agramontes, Recios, Betanoourt
ana others. They 1--we In guano huts, numbers OF
which are built in different places, in ORDER II COM
neiled to vacae Que by the approach OF the troops
they may find shelter In others. Here ladies' !
born 70 wealth and accustomed 10 every delicacy
10 whom even the miluest labor was unknown be.
Tore the war; cook their OWE food, and. from the
-cantiest mat erals prepare the clothing OF them
selves, their fathers, husbands sons and brothers In
me hell. 10 g eater neroism was every displayed
lhan mere. From these decatey nurtured women.
living IN the woods, oitentnaes with no more |
ciothlng than modesty demands, word Of com
palntis rs ever heard and the suggestion Of submIs- |
sion ade by the dearest friend would only be met
win win scoin ana indignation. They. ara not
unhappy. Indeed they profess and seem 90 |
be perfectly content. One might fancy that
the Old wandering instincts of the indians, whose
blood flows III their veins mad been brought to the
surface, and away from civilization, under the broad
canopy OF heaven, and the very trees through hich
their ancestors r0ained they had found that happI-
ness unknown before and winch the advancement !
0I thc European never could give them.
Tie extent Of country in which the Insurgents are