The New York herald., 1871-02-02
G u B "A
Spanish Cruelty-HorribIe Massacre by the
Contra C uerrillas.

cisco Acosta, and composed OF jail birds from
Havana and other parts or the island, have been
committing fresh ourages on the defenCeeSs pcpu-
latiOn OF Cainaguey Some OF these outrages are
beyond belief, being committed mostly on women
ana children The most recent instance, as well rs
one OF the most terrible crimes ever committed by
Spanish soldiers in Cuba, Is The massacre OF whole
family near Puerto Principe by the contraguerrilla-
Del Orden, under command OF Major Merino
Mrs. Merced Mola, her daughter Adriana very
beautiful GIRL only fourteen years old, ana
Mrs. Juana Mora, with three children, the
eldest seven years old were living since
the insurrecuon in small thatcned house In the
woods or Caunas. The contra-guerrillas found them
there, and, after robbing them OF everything they
nad they were required to give up all the jewelry
aud money which the jail birds, with the keen scent
OF thieves, believed they had hidden. AS these
people belonged to one OF the weathiest families OF
Camaguey their answer that they had nothing con-
cealed failed to satisfy the wretches, and some of
the party, in whom the beauty OF young Adriana
excited the foulest passions, threw themselves
her and attempted to outrage her. Being resisted
by the girl mother In their efforts to strip OF her
clothing they became earfully enraged and cut the
whole family TO pieces with their machetes. They
not only Killed child three years old, but even cut
his body Into small pieces. A OF Mrs. Moa,
twelve years DID, was the only member Of the family
party or the same Spanish contra-guerrillas, be-
longing to the column commanded by Colonel AcOsta
HIMSELF attacked the farm San Cayetana, on which
the family of Bueno-composed of lady eighty five
years old, with two married daughters, their little
children, and one unmarried daughter. all under
charge OF Don Francisco AgIero, q gentleman Of
| advanced age-resioed. They stabbed the old man
twice with dagger in the presence Of his wife,
and, after robbng them even Of their clothing set
fire to the house.
These assassinations were not only permitted by
the officers, but the assassns had their sanction In
dividing the property they had stolen.
The Dia,1o de Ia Ma,',nG reports that OF the ten
persons who recently landed on the farm Rosario
only three are yet alive. Three of them were exc.
cuted on the 25th, among them RverO, who was
captured on the farm Abra, and who had acted as
their leader.
The Encounters Of the Contrn- n-(,uerilla and
the Insurgents-Patriot Success Baza-
Spanish Accounts Of the Fight mt Pozo Ami.
HAVANA. Jan. 25, 1871.
The details Of the recent Spanish movements in
different parts OF the island, though Of no great
import, are not without interest
The detachment Of Guanaja dispersed on the 18th
instant group Of insurgents the river Mana u,
killing one Of them. On the 14th another small
party was dispersed on the hills or La Baca and
Hoyo Colorado. The forces OF Baza, between the
10th and the 14th, surprised three insurgent en-
campments on the hills OF Quemada and Arroyo
Simenes and the river Blanco, killing Don ascual
Osorio brother of the chief commanding the exped-
tion and four sthers. Four prisoners belonging to
the band Of Durado confirm the reported death OF
their chief, Diego DuradO. who was pierced by two
balls In the light at Poz0 AZul
A band Of insurgents-4OO or 500 in number
commanded by Ltco Pena and Jose Hernandez, at
tackled the village OF ZaZa, between eleven and
twelve O'Clock on the night OF the 18th inst carry
ing everything away from the stores, and 1t IS as
was small detachment OF Spanlards in the fort at
that place. but on account of the darkness they as
sert though more probably because or the presence
OF the enemy they did not leave their defences.
Those guarding the storehouses OF Don Francisco
AcOsta did considerable firing into the darkness,
ana succeeded by accident In wounding one OF the
enemy. On second thought the Spanlards say they
tenant Jacinto Gonzalez, who was carried OF some
time ago by these balds was afterward found Gu t
to pieces.
the present week. Don Augustin Rodriguez, and
Mora, son of one OF the members OF the Cuban
came in at Colon to take advantage OF valmaseda's
clemency; but hear OF no Others .s.ys,es -.
According TO the Spanish accounts OF the fight at
PoZo AZul-ts which l have just referred, and
where the chief Of the band diego Durado) was
ked-the insurgents lost thirty. five men, including
not only their Chief but Benigno Gomez, who was
The Captain General has appointed Lieutenant
Colonel Antonio Gonzalez Auleo, who was recently
sent 70 Sanu Esp;ritu, as Governor and Military
Commander OF that district.
HAVANA, Feb. l, 1871.
Ex-Governor Silva and Artega have gone to
Spain.
Only two men Of the vuelto Abajo expedition re-
main alive.
What Mr.. Thomas Jordan Thinks of the Sitna-
tion in Cuba.
NEW YORK, Feb /, 1871.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
Be not deceived, or suffer the readers OF the
HERALD be deceived as to the real state Of affairs
in Cuba at this uncture Is true the surrender of
Comelio Porro has taken place. This Is q severe
blow to the revolution, but by no means mortal
one, as you will be sure to see before many
months. The detection OF chief can stop
the patriot movement In Cuba or force that
people back under Sp anish rule. Porro must have
given up because of some personal Inconvenience
and unfortunate apprehension that it would
be impossible for the friends OF Cuba In this country
to send either arms ammunition to the island.
The events or the past eighteen months-tne ease
with which the Spanish authorities have been able
to the neutrality laws Of the United States to
hinder the shipment Of arms for the patriots while
aordng their adversary unrestricted resort TO all
the resources Of American shipyards and gunshops
were assuredly calculated to convince man like
Porro that the success his cause was impossible
the continuance OF the struggle idle and that 1t was
acton--a great and unhappy mistake on his part,
but ne is IN no respect Cuban Benedict Arnold. |
am prepared to hear that some faint-hearted men
Of more or less followers Will also tread In his foot
steps, For q while, moreover, there may be lit
tie or no vigorous contests with the Spanish
soldiery, as in these times men cannot maintain
effective with clubs or even empty guns against
opponents armed with Remington rifles abundanty
ammunitioned. Nevertheless the patriot movement
s not near its end nor even approaching that catas-
trophe. 1t has one element OF vitality strangely
overlooked The leaders OF the movement gave
freedom IN the outset to all the slaves the island,
and to-day there is not slave on IT'S surface who is
not held in bondage under or within the
shadow Of the Spanish flag flying over
q garrison OF Spanish soldiery. The manu-
mitted negroes, as natural consequence, have
been devoted adherents OF the revolution, and
made good soldiers, as l can testify. Thousands
OF them have either arms in their hands hidden
away for use wnen they can get ammunition. The
restoration or Spanish authority means the re-
storaton of slavery more than 15O 900 negroes,
too many Of whom have learned the use Of guns and
the advantages of liberty and who seek to fight TO
the bitter end against Spain and slavery. Faint
hearted chiefs may succumb to their property;
but enough Of the embers OF the revolution Will
main to keep up the struggle, even If not another
gun another pound Of powder be landed In
Cuba for the next six months This assert with