The New York herald., 1872-12-10
CUBl'S STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM.
Reports from the Various Commanding officers
in Siguani and Holguin-A Series of En-
gagements-A Hopeful Communication
from Generals Jesus Ferria and
Peralto-The Spaniards Aban-
doning Their Positions.

hopeful, and show that Spain has . herculcan task
before her to overcome the determination OF these
spartan defenders OF their country, lighting for
life and liberty and the suppression OF slavery.
EASTERN DEPARTMENT OF CUBA
HEADQUARTERS IN GUAEINAO Aug. 20, 1872
FIFTH YEAR OF OUR INDEpENDENCE.
nave the honor to report to you the recon-
mcncement OF our military operations, which
were at a standstill at my last report.
oh ihe 10Th OF June the Commandant Amabile
reportea the destruction OF the teegraphic commu-
hicatoh petween Cuba and the city OF BayamO.
o, Le9tenan, et ,,, Colonel Ramirez told me on the
2.d OF June mat t. an engagement occurred in the
nelgnDoinoou OF hato Swamps, causing serious
loss to the enemy. our losses consisted OF three
men. On the a4th OF tlts month Captain satnrinO
Venero, in his encanpment at Pozo Blanco retired
after having exchanged fire with the enemy for
half an hour at Pozo Blanco. According to the
traces OF blood afterwards seen by our men IL
would appear as If the enemy had suffered greatly.
VOLUNTEERS JOINING.
On this day seven wcll-0rmed volunteers all
married men, came to us from the village OF Gulsa
HoLGUIN.
Brlgadier General Manuel Calyar has handed me
a communication from Colonel VarOna, dated the
1st Of August, IN which he says that he had sent
tenants Modesto Fornas and nd Justine Garvayade
to fnd out what preparations they had made for
defence ON ont the l2th Of June the rst village was
were driven back regret to say with the loss OF
some OF our brave men. rich booty OF
stores and provisions was captured. The other
village, with two prisoners armed with Remington
rines also large amount OF provisions, were sub
sequently captured: The guerilla corps since their
Incorporation, on July IS, have suffered greatly,
having been attacked In the Randall by strong
column OF Infantry and artillery, but which was
eventually forced to retreat by the heroic courage
OF the Second company Of the Second Holgun bat
guer,llas were far from light. on the eth forag-
ing party, while engaged at FL Rosario under the
mish with the enemy, but sustained no loss. On
the 2Sth Spanish guerilla party appeared in the
nelghborhood OF the encampment OF Colonel Va
ON the 7th OF August Colonel Juan Ruz chief of
the Bayamo forces, was attacked in the neighbor-
! a fpVna nr az
least 800 strong. After half an hours firing the
patriots retired with the loss OF one man. The
enemy, u Is reported, lost several men.
SIGuANI.
On the l4th OF August Commandant sa,adrigas
hood OF the hospital ut Bajaru and destroyed
several houses. On the 18th an engagement took
routed and put to flight. on the 18th Lieutenant
blanco lea a. an exploring party to sindero and fell
Captain Mendez they then attacked the enemy
with considerable number OF men and put them,
after short engagement, to flight The enemy
lost seven men, Willie we lost but one man.
CUBA
The forces at Bayamo, Tiguani, Holguin ana
made an attack on the 26th upon the village or
Barre which was captured and then returned to
NUagual, distant nine miles.
reunion of the officers was held and plan for
surprising the enemy was devised. Somehow or
abOuts and were on the alert. COmmandaDt
Saladrigas 1t was then agreed should attack the
enemy with the Bayamo forces, Colonel Juan kux
with detachment OF those from Cuba under the
orders OF Lieutenant Colonel Aguilera and Com-
in lateral columns, while . small reserve accom-
panied them, led by Colonel Vidal
After the forces had started they marched
rapidly and soon came up near to the enemy, while
the reserve was engaged in drawing or it's atten-
ton from the main main body: Ihe enemy, seeing them
determined resistance. Our loss was four men, in
cluding Sub-Lieutenant Pedro Conde, who was
verey wounded The enemy lett twelve cOrpses
weterlng in their gore, and removed several Of
their wounded heavy capture OF provisions
light the enemy returned to the attack, with the
intention " surprising us IN our encampment at
vereda de 10 Torcaza. Shortly after they broke
= suI aES srooD rnER GROUND BRAvsLY.
The engagement lasted ,wo hours, and tho
firing was constant. At last they retreated
on the double quick, followed by some OF our
guerillas, who harassed their rear. Our losses
were sub-Iieutenant Roberto ieraa and Sergeant
Cumpiidos dead while Lieutenant Colonel Viaal.
an heroic soldier, received severe wounds.
The leaders and the soldiers are enthusiastic,
and want to meet the enemy again shortly. Colonel
Juan RuZ, Colonel l.. vidal Francisco Aguilera and
Count wenceslas saladrlgas. have been detailed on
special mission, Of which we shall speak in our
next With the highest respect your obcdient
servant, CALIXrO q. iNlGUEZ, General.
DEPARTMENT OF THE EAST. HEADQUARTERs,l
Ell CAoBAL Sept. %, 1872.
FIFTH YEAR OF OUR INDEpENDENcE.)
Un the 25th of this month we occupied the en-
trenchnent OF Baraagua recently abandoned by
the enemy. The evacuation OF this most important
base of military operation, when eight spanish
steamers are situated In the Bay OF Nipe, is most
fortutous circums tance 1t appears almost as II
the Spaniards are about retreating to the coast,
changing their tactics and beating retreat
towards the large towns Their Abandonment OF
Bijari and Jorron gives form 10 TINS bcef. what
ever may be the idea OF the Spanish in this matter.
it is certain work favorably for US by giving us
larger scope and resources, VIII enable
Sntposss "na w aeisa1e sin the matter
transporting our troops from one end OF the
re the 10 G Of he
be obliged by your transmitting to me the commits
sions for the officers about which spoke to you ID
With feelings Of the highest consideration e
CALlXTo g. INiGUEZ.
To the SECRETARY OF WAR.
HEADQUARTERS LIBERATISG FORCES IN CuBA)
EASTERN DEPARTMENT. Aug. 81, 1872. I
Captain C. Miguel Macio makes the following
report under date OF notwithstanding to in
structions received to command party OF guerillas
from 1nnas San Antonio and Tobito for the pur-
pose OF harassing the enemy and capturing cattle,
started on my mission, and captured several pris-
oners, two in the Curia and two in Braz0s, who
were Immediately executed. The Spaniards
placed men IN ambush to pick my men of at several
places bat were unsuccessful. skirmish lasting
an hour, took place with the enemy at Guanta-
namo where they lost several men and ] was
wounded III the arm.
ANOTHER REPORT
Lieutenant Colonel Teodoro Lafiitt made the fol.
lowing report on 25th ofJuy:-
According to orders from headquarters TO recon-
noitre In the neghborho0d OF Monte Rus and cap
ture provisions, started with detachment Of
men. Arriving at santa Maria, found the enemy
In force, and they opened such murderOus fire
upon US that we were forced to retreat, but not
until we had made second attack. We lost one
man. and while retiring captured some provisions.
SMALL. SKiRNISHES.
Commander G. Jose Macco, on Sd OF August, re-
ports having attacked the enemy at FL Ray0, and
that his men had fought with courage until forced
to cease firing through their ammunition giving
out. Result OF the action, one dead and two
wounded on our SIDE The loss OF the enemy is un-
known.
Lieutenant Manuel Romero, under date 18th OF
August reports going out In search OF provisions
and having had several slight encounters with the
enemy at Vegas de Sagua.
BtTCHERiN8 WOUNDED MAN.
Captain C. Miguel Mace0 reports that on the 25tn
July the Spanards surrounded the cottage, under
the command Of Santos Perez, and found there
Commandante Jose Diaz, who had received q bullet
In his chest at the battle Of Sopo. Diaz used his
rife upon his capturers but they fired upon him till
he was dead
THE ARRIVAL OF THE STEAMER FANNY.
On the 9th August the Fanny arrived and the