The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-12-19

was within easy reach OF Camp Naiasa ana that
The General did not hesitate TO explain that whiIe
1t would be very desirable that | should travel
through the i1s sa region In order to
would nevertheless be attended with considerable
danger and personal risk, especially on account OF
the disincnation OF the Spanish authorities to
have
THE REAL CONDITION or AFFAIRS
known. explained TO them that the Spaniar1s
were under the impression that would see Major
Reeve and Emilio Luaces without the possibility OF
cautioned against forming an opinion OF the whole
lnsurgent troops from the soldiers was to meet
under the command OF Major Reeve they being an
independents body OF picked men, and that | had
promised TO return to the Spanish camp on the
following day at the fnrthest. may mention that
up to this time had not been asked for any Gre
dential5, but voluntarily presented to General
Agramonte the document given me by the Cuban
Is translation:-
Whereas Mr. A. b. Henderson, citizen Of North
hpa m me SaS Sns sss
Sn the territory Of Cuba bre and there 70 gain true
sSs Fl sos
The e1 81 6uSa u 'o'''
Aasn. * Ss Thai the forsng
'hl na ss Ssaan q w s1%,
Whom 1u ssa AND FL ESD, a. ss3 Republic
al aG1a e syfry peiss % and
m M, and operations Of the and lena him all
ss ys Ss S Ssi Ss
ssas " e.
lses snIGsn''' RAMON oEsrEDEs.
The letters OF Introduction to President Cespedes
ana the leading Generals OF the Cuban army fur
nished me by the Cuban Commissioner l had
AgramOnte expressed himself thoroughly satisfied
with the credentials had presented, and sug-
gested tnat II did not feel too much fatigued we
would visit the President OF the Cuban Republic.
who was not more than five or six miles distant.
Upon my limiting that had had nothing to eat for
some time breakfast was ordered, and In the course
OF half an hour 1t was served up at the twig table.
II was neither rich nor rare gem in CASTRO
was proncred and the genuine hospitality made IL
taste far sweeter than many more pretentlous
meal. The repaSt consisted of one dlsh-rOaSt
beef-and nothing else, and in the way OF liquids
we were invited to hot water, sweetened with
beef was cooked over a wood fire and well sngct-
IL was served In deep tin pans and carved with
sao py Major Reeve Emilio
secretary OF General Agramonte, the HERALD Com
missioner proceeded towards the quarters OF
tremey narrow and the surrounding woods OF
dense thickness. After riding for Ave or six miles,
thick guavo fence, entered into hurried Converse
ton with Major Reeve. AS l turned around
see body of eight or ten soldiers advancing under
t tne command OF lieutenant, as could not
said for l made no inquiries, and quietly awaited
the issue or events The order was given to prO-
ceed, and the party moved forward without delay:
we mad gone about a mile when we passed another
picket post, and wheeling suddenly to the right we
found ourselves in
THE INsURGENT CAMP.
rents were nowhere to be seen. There was
nothing marshal-looking about the place, and save
that two rows of muskets were carefully stacked,
sufficiently wide apart TO form pathway, the
appearance OF the surroundings was suggestive OF
an open air prayer meeting 1t was no such thing,
however, but genuine camp OF the Cuban patriots.
LIZ the vicinity were about
FIVE HUNDRED INSURGENTS,
including 200 cavalry, three-fourths of the entire
number being c0ored men. Their wearing apparel
was not extensive. Very few OF the negroes had
more than pantaoons and shoes. Some had shirts.
Many were only provided with brecch cloths Tho
probably not more than five could boast the pos
session at once OF coat and shirt. may add, OF
course, that as the heat intense the absence of
those necessaries was not felt, and besides, long
experience had taught them to dispense with the
use or what they could not obtain. The
majority wore straw hats, but noticeable
feature with the cavalry was that although many
or them were destitute OF trousers, all wore short
leggngs to protect their limbs when on horseback.
To stranger the spectacle was not without its
shade or humor, but better acquaintance with
the situation would quickly teach him that those
insurgents stood IN little need OF anything In the
way OF raiment. Both cavalry and infantry were
armed with Henry rides; almost every man carried
a machete by his side. When l entered the pre-
cincts OF the camp breakfast in course OF
preparation. We rode down between the two
stacks of guns, and as we passed could see the
went along. good way of recllned group Of
men, some white, some black, In thick
and shady grove, through which flowed
beautiful stream. They were sitting on the
bank, evidently awaiting the summons to their
morning meal. When within some twenty yards
or the romantic little spot Major Reeve informed me
all at once dsmounted, as that official was himself
on foot.