The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-04-28
Warfare in Cuba.
Even the Wounded slaughtered iu their
TrneIIs.

Even the Wounded Slaughtered iu their
Tracks.
O'Kelley, tho Herald correspondent
with the Cuban army givesust the follow
ing description Of Cuban battle: He
saws dctachmentwns semitic kill cattle
in n poircro or cattle farm close to the
town, service they accomplished with
ont interruption. It was evident from
this circumstance TINT the Spaniards
would not come out to attack the posi-
ton ut Canadon, SO n force OF some
three hundred armed men and about
one hundred af fifty conrOyCrOs and
servants were sent to complete the de-
struction OF the cattle farm, with in
structions to carry of as many OF the
cattle MS they could catch, and in any
case to kill us many us possible Of the
animals, SO as to deprive the town Of
its chief means OF support, These or
ders were faithfully carried out by
Colonel Sanchez and the troops under
his command. By half.pRst eight the
lotreyO was in flames for distance Of
u league, and the cattle either dead or
driven into the woods. The soldiers
and the unarmed men were laden with
the meat, andorders were given to form
line Of march to return to the encamp-
ment. AT the entrance Of the potrero
the road is slightly depressed, and a
wood extending in the direction of the
town forms semicircle commanding
completely the outlet from the potrerO.
The Cuban forces had reached thispoint
when their bugles sounded silence.
Scarcely had the sound died away
when n voiley was delivered from n
Spanish ambuscado, distributed in
three divisions. By miracle none was
touched, and the Colonel, dismounting,
ordered the men to advance. In q mo-
ment the sacks OF meat fell to the
ground, and rapid and well sustained
fire was opened on the Spanish ambus-
cade. II was their turn now to be sur
prised; for the Cubnns possessed plenty
Of ammunition, and were confident in
their numbers. The Spanish forces did
not number over one hundred and fifty,
and by strange freak Of fortune their
three buglers had been shot, one after
another, rs soon as they sounded IN
order. Notwithstanding the disparity
of the forces the Spaniards fought with
valor and tenacity, us they always eight,
but were obliged to give way before SUI
perior numbers. A movement OF re-
treat in the face OF Cuban force is
disastrous. The moment the soldiers
perceived that the Spaniards were re-
treating they advanced with rush, and
the defeat was turned into n rout. Then
the horrors OF the situation were de-
veloped. Tho Spanish soldiers, lost in
the woods in the darkness, fell IN easy
prey to their enemies. So dark was
the night thatit was necessary to inquire
whether the person encountered was M
enemy or friend before striking.
This did not last long. for what re-
manned OF the Spanish troops were il
full flight for the town, which, fortu
nately for them, was close Mt hand. The
most terrible and inhuman feature O
this awful warfare was, fortunately
hidden by the dark cloak Of night.
The wounded Spaninrds who hat
fallen had crawled into the woods t.
save themselves from the vengeance o.
their foes. Here the Cubans followed
them, cropping in the dark and listening
for the sigh or groan Of the wrotchet
men 10 direct them to where tho help
less wounded lay. In most cases thu
unfortunates were discovered and thu
deadly machete finished the work of thu
rifle. "Ave marin, me matarl" exclaim
ed one poor fellow as thehenyy machett
cut his cord Of life, and the appeals fol
mercy OF the helpless were the mort
hcartronding that they were made Il
ears that were deaf andto leartssteelet
by the bloody memories OF four year
OF war to the death. It was revolving
and disgusting. My heart sickens wlet
I think of it, and 1 nm thankful tina
the sight was spared me. Is liberty
worth suchatrocity, Thought. Itpaini
me to haveto record deeds OF such dread
full barbarity, but my mission is to tel
the truth, plain and unvarnished.
My instructions arc to spare neither
Spaninrd nor Cuban when condemns
ton is demanded, rs well MS to aware
praise where deserved whether fol
Spaniard or Cuban. Therefore I mus
pronounce this butchery Of helpless
wounded and prisoners what it is-bar
barous and inhuman. The material re-
suits OF the victory consisted in threi
bugles, seventeen rifles, the boots, clothes
and other effects OF the slain, and thu
sentiment that the men who had faller
a few nights before were amply avenged
The loss OF the SpaniNrds in dead wa
estimated at twenty five killed on I'll,
spot and thirty wounded in the retreat
who had not been discoveredin the dark
ness Of the night, or owing to tile prox
unity OF the town had escaped. TIL,
Cuban loss was one officer Killed, twt
wounded and six soldiers wounded
The morning after this success the Gu
bans quilted the encampment, accord
ing to their custom, so that when TIN
Spanish troops should come to aveng,
their comrades they would find no one