The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-15

suit, these negroes did not offer any very desperate
resistance, but seemed to endeavor to escape to
their hiding places until the danger was past The
soldier made this statement frankly, ank without
any clew to my character which might have induced
him to color the picture. AZ we approached Sancn
Espiritus we met few large Cuban villages IN
each oil which were stationed party OF troops
occupying kind of block house. Seen from the
railway, there was nothing particularly noticeable
in these places, but was afterward informed that
large part OF the inhabitants were In state OF
restitution bordering ON starvation II this be true
must say they have s.nt .sai
THEMSELVES IN GREAT PART TO BLAME,
for land IL very easy to be mad ana scarcely
claims any labor from the peasant. In the
town OF Sancti Espiritus there il also
great suffering caused principally by the
war. Strings OF p0verty-strcKen women
were to be met from time to time going from house
to house to beg little rice to keep soul and body
together. In the faces Of many OF these could be
read tales Of sorrow, and the brow OF many one
among them was darkened by the impending
shadow OF the angel Of death.
In order to discover the exact line of demarca-
ton between the Spanish and Cuban territories
was anxious to pass from Sanct Espirltus to Puerto
Principe by the LAND route. but the dificulty OF
procuring horses and guide willing to accompany
me forced me to abandon this idea. None OF the
Spanish party would venture alone with me into
The neighb0rhood OF the insurgents, who seemed
TO be
EVERYWHERE AND NOWHERE,
and no Cuban would expose blmself to tho sus-
plcon OF the authorities by accompanying me
Nothing remained, therefore, but to take the
steamer to this place, and try II fortune had any
thing better in store for The evening, or rather
the night OF my arrival here was presented to the
Governor Of the town,
BROADER GENERAL MORALES,
on the public square by Mr.. Ramsden, the British
Consul as gentleman travelling through the
island The General was already aware that was
the representative OF the HERALD, and az 1t was
difficult to talk freely among the crowd OF prone
naders General Morales invited me to the Palace.
He expressed himself
DESTROYS TO BE OF SERVICE TO ME
and enable me to see the exact state OF the island
for myself. thanked him for his kindness and as
sured him that was very anxious to avail myself
of whatever facilities he would be pleased to aford
Inc. He then stated that column would be leav-
ing in the morning an expedition that would in
all probability last for ten days. during which time
would have ample opportunity to observe the
operations OF the campaign. said that would be
most willing to accept the offer, but that, unfortu-
nately having arrived only in the morning, was
not provided with horse for myself. nor
with the means OF transport for the necessary
provisions. The General at once informed me that
the column would give me horse, and that the
officers would supply the commlssariat depart
ment. He then introduced me to
LIEUTENANT COLONEL sOsTRADA,
the commander OF the expedition This gentleman
expressed himself well pleased at having the repre-
sentative of an impartial journal to accompany the
Spanish troops and give fair account OF the war.
He told me the troops were ordered to march at
half-past six O'Clock in the morning, and that 1t
would be necessary to be at the railway station at
that hour. He also advised me to provide myself
with hammock and blanket-no easy matter at
hall-past ten O'Clock at night. AS it was neces-
sary to make some hurried preparations, 1
took my leave of General Morales and
Colonel SOstrada, and went in pursuit of the
hammock and blanket which, thanks to the good
services OF friend secured. 1t was still dark
when started in the morning under the guidance
OF one Of the servants OF the hotel for in his
iety to have me in time, the proprietor reused me
up some hour and q har before it was necessary.
Arrived at the station found 1t already occupied
by troops belonging to the mounted c0ntra-gue-
rillas. All was stir and hustle. The embarking OF
the horses was proceeding rapidly and without
confusion. The men who were not engaged In this
service were gathered round vender OF coffee
and cognac, who had Improvsed restaurant ON o
rough deal table. Watched the proceedings with
considerable interest, and found c0mmendable Or
der and organization to exist. These irregular
troops are the scouts Of the army, being in large
part
RECRUITED FROM THE NATIVE POPULATION
and surrendered insurgents. 1t Is said that they
render invaluable service on account of their
En0vylpdpp n riadn an NV
the Cubans as well as their acquaintance with the
country. For the most part they are armed with
Remington rifles, and all OF them carry the formid-
able machete. The uniform worn by the troops on
campaign consists OF coarse linen trous-
ers and blue cotton jacket, with a broad
brimmed straw hat, sometimes covered with
white calico, and ornamented with o red
or green band. As the contra-guerias moved
out OF the station the regular Infantry
arrived and took their seats in the train. They
appeared to me to have seen much service, but In
the dim light OF the morning 1t was not possible to
examine them very closely; besides, was resolved
to form my Judgment Of them more by their &C.
tions than their looks. few moments later en-
countered Colonel Sostrader, who recognized me
and ordered one of the soldiers to take charge OF
my very slim baggage. As soon as everything was
ready the Colonel invited me TO take seat by his
seats in the same carriage, but no Introduction
was rendered to them, circumstance which at
first surprised me, but the explanation was soon
forthcoming
THE OFFICERS WERE IN FIGHTING TRIM,
Offering rather a strange spectacle to one only
accustomed to see the pomp and splendor OF the
parade ground. All the little adornments of the
person in which gallant militares delight had been
laid aside; even of the insignia OF rank there was
only retained the absolutely necessary. There
was scarcely any prctence OF a uniform, and even
the snowy sword had been exchanged for the more
useful machete. A few wore the regulation cap,
but by far the greater number wore straw hats,
which were more useful than ornamental. From
these signs had hopes that serious work was
intended, and that If fortune favored me I was
going to be present at that somewhat intangible
thing called a Cuban battle. After toilsome
ascent to Christie the train stopped TO take