Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-10-11
CUBA.
State Of the urrectiOn-ActlTity Ofthe
CHbaRs around Puerto Principe.

PUERTO PRINCIPE, September q
Alarm, insecurity, and lswlessness seem
to be the prevailing features Of the times
in this city; from dsy to day, and even
hourly, startling events are looked for,
the attacks from the insurgents succeed
ing each other like showers in spring.
A great concentration seems to hsve
been carried out by the detachments Of
Cuban forces, under command OF Senor
AgramOnte, threatening these hesdquar-
ters. Their number is variOusly esti-
mated at nom four thousand to four
thousand five hundred well-armed men,
who often approach in sight Of the city
intrenchments. Skirmishesars0 Of hourly
occurrence. The Spanish military train,
which LEFT this city under a powerful
escort, was to be attacked by the Cubans.
The attack having been anticipated, the
Commanding General concentrated four
thousand men, the only safe way 10
convoy it in safety 10 GuaimarO, distant
about siXty-siX miles. The Rey regi-
ment OF infantry, with strong skirmish
line, under command Of Major Gonzales
Estevez, advanced from GUaimarO on
the twsnty-seventh, and when about
five miles out, near the SaladO, the
whole force fell into an ambuscade, in
a gorge, lined with thick woods. Sud-
denly fire opened on them from all
sides, and hasty retreat was sounded,
which was accompanied with a loss OF
eighteen killed, tweDty-three wounded,
all abandoned. Among the latter were
Major Estevez, who received two
wounds in the leg, after having two
horses killed. The Major was held
few hours q prisoner in General Agra
l,s.-s. .hrr
sieians attached to the staff dressed his
wounds. treating him with every con-
sideration due to his rank, according TO
his own statement. Afterward, General
AgramOnte very magnaninously sent
him to the outpOsts, under a flag Of
truce, providing him with all com
forts and facilities 10 reach the Spanish
lines, which be did on the twenty-eighth.
Major EsteyeZ confirms all reports re-
garding the number Of Agr8monte's
forces, which he estimates at over three
thousand five hundred, well dressed,
equipped and armed in an excellent
state Of discipline. He asserted that
fresh supplies must have reached the
insurgents, and was loud in expressions
of qualification st the manner ia which
he was treated by Agramonte and his
subOrdinates. Soon after the return
Of Major Estevez, the news spread
among the rank and file Of the Spanish
camp, and groups were heard to
break out in spontaneous hur-
rshs for both AgremOnte and rs
tevez, the officers appearing 10 take no
notice Of the demonstration. On the
tuenty-seyenth there occurred an en-
counter at San Jacinto, the din Of battle
being perceptible from Guaimaro. With
sundry other forces sent out to beat the
Cubans, there went about one hundred
and ninety-tWo men from Matanzas,
under Major Alfau. This body Was iso-
lated, when few miles out, and flercely
attacked by the CubaDs. The battle and
route were so instantaneous that the aid,
riding close to Alfau, on seeing
his commander drop dead, had
not presence Of mind enough TO
take q purse containing one Thousand
five hundred dollars, which the de-
ceased carried about his person. The
advanced part Of the command broke
loose and escaped to the woods; the
same feat was performed by the rear,
but the center was captured, and moth
ing is known Of their ultimate fate. A
few reached San Miguel Another Sc
we're combat seems to have taken place
not far from GuaimarO, a sergeant hay
ing reached this camp bearing dispatches
calling urgently for Teinforcements.