The New York herald., 1873-12-12

Secretary OF War, and gives full details, from
Cuban standpoint, OF the late assault upon Man
zanillo by the 'nansois:-
7 GENERAL HEADQUARTERS, IN BERMEJA,
Nov. 13, 1879. }
To TIE CITIZEN SECRETARY OF WAR
Alter concluding the operations which under
took for the purpose or calling the enemy's atten
ton IN the west oI Hoguln, ana those reported TO
that centre on the I'd OF October, lett BaraJagna
on the 18th OF said month"; taking with me part OF
the division OF Holguin under command OF General
cavalry commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Lin
bano Sanchez and Incorporated with the other
troops those OF Don Rios, consisting OF
100 men OF Tunas under Colonel Leonardo
del Marmol, and the same numoer with Colonel
Belisario G. de Peralta, of the Holquin division.
on the Gath Major Francisco ]. Cespedes with 100
men OF the division OF Bayamo, joined me. The
following day Major Cespedes reported to me that
he could not remain at the head OF his forces be-
cause OF being sick; Tor winch reason they
were attached TO those OF General Maceo |
town Of Bare nv with the object of PROCURING pro-
visions, which we accomplished. We crossed at
ten O'Clock III the morning within range OF the
enemys Notifications, and he made no attempt 10
prevent us. Upon arriving at the Cobrc road,
there was an unfortunate encounter with the
forces OF the Division OF Cuba. who were also out
seeking provisions. Some vOleys were exchanged,
but discovering their error, both forces united
with each other. In this unlucky and mistaken en-
conn ter we lost eight men.
continued the march towards Bijucal. in which
place Major General Manuel Calvar Joined me with
the forces Of the Division OF Cuba, and also Coonel
Emilio NOguera, with 80 men or Bayamo. On the
29tn left Bjucal. marching Tor the jurisdiction OF
Juan Ruiz substitute chief OF the forces OF yamo,
and the rest OF these joined me.
The united forces now numbered 1,40O infantry.
marched on the 9th with the object of attacking
the city OF ManzanillO, and encamped at Puriel.
In this place proceeded to form all the forces into
six columns The first, under command OF Colonel
Leonardo del Marmo with Colonel Il. Cespedes as
second in command, was composed OF the forces
Of the battalions pemajagua, Cambute AM and
tenant Colonel Ladisla0 Garces Major Homintea
and Major Sacramento Leon in all 25o men, who
had orders to attack the city by the
ENTRANCE ALONG THE BAYAMO ROAD.
The second, commanded by Brigadier Maceo,
with Colonel Belisario G. de Peralta as second in
ions Of Banes, Holguin, Igualdad, Tempu and Cuba,
under the orders respectively, OF Colonel Anrelio
Bias Almirall, Lieutenant Colonel Flor Crombet
and Major Juan P. Sanchez. having orders to
tempt TO get possession OF the infantry barracks
and fremen's quarters. The third was commanded
by Brgadier Juan Ruz, with Brigadier Gonzalez
Flores as his second. 1t was composed of 200
men OF the battahons OF Bayamo and
President, under the orders respectively
and Mariana Domlnguez with orders to
ATTACK THE INFANTRY BARRACKS.
The fourth commanded by Major General
Manuel Calvar, with Colonel Francisco Borrero as
! his second. 1t was composed OF 300 men OF the
battalions Mayari, Independencia, Ibertad, Yara
1 Baire, under the respective orders OF MAJOR
! Antonio Loria, Lieutenant Colonel Pablo Anabile
Lieutenant Colonel Wenceslao Saladriguez, Colonel
Benetiz, with orders to occupy Marine street. The
fifth, OF 200 men, was commanded by Colonel Gull
ns his second Il ne was eo@posed % s' Of the Satta
ions OF Lbertad, Bayamo and Estacada, com.
manded by Majors salvador M Rosado, Fonseca
general headquarters and the escort The
sixth column, OF leo men,, was composed OF the
battalions, ''Cuba" and "Ygualdad,n commanded
by Major jose Prado and Captain Francisco Lyte
Bidal. with 40 horsemen attached. The whole un-
der the command OF Colonel Silverio prado, having
Lieutenant Colonel Mariana TOrneS
under orders to be placed quarter OF league
from the city, occupying the road to Gauge.
At eleven In the morning OF the 10th OF N0vem-
Der / commenced the march in the order which
has been described. and about one O'Clock P. NJ
was advised that forces oi the enemy occupied the
Savanna de Grata. passed TO the front with sew
era mounted officers, arriving when the enemy,
menced their fight, which ended in complete dis
persion We took rs prisoners 30 stand OF arms,
horses, &c, the enemy leaving five dead on the
field.
| Notwithstan ling my knowledge that the enemy
would De notified OF our approach, dld not think
it well to deslst in the attack for which reason
ordered the march to be quickened, and at twelve
O'Clock at night we were In front OF the city. The
sound OF the enemy's ougles. the ringing Of the
and the illumination OF the city, gave one TO under
stand that the Spaniards were perfectly prepared
attacked the column cf Colonel Marmol; but this
brave officer repused them remaining in front OF
other forces IN accordance with his order. "0 '"e
The city of Manzanillo is defended by the Corona
and Zaragoza castles ana by nine towers, block
| houses, which close the entrance to 1t. Also the
| war steamer VenaditO and two gunboats were in
the bay. The garrison was at least Of 800 SOL
and more than 500 Infantry and cavalry volun-
! teers.
! Immediately and upon sounding the attack, the
| columns advanced with the greatest intrepIdity.
| Those OF the vanguard, under command Of Briga-
diers Maceo and Ruz engaged in combat with
houses and the houses in the out
skirts OF the city. The defence was
| ing fire of our troops obliged the enemy to retire,
/ who abandoned the block houses and occupied the
plaza, or public square & IN ,he centre Of the city
entered the CITY, but his rear being attacked by the
enemy he returned against him.
REPULsED THE ATTACK,
and soon after occupied the Callc del Cammercio
| prlncipal street,. Major General Cayar and
Colonel Mancada advanced and occupied their
positions, the former having to engage Inc Zara-
| gozsa Castle and the marine forces whom the
enemy disembarked. occupied the market place
with my stan, and Major Generals Modesto Daz
and Jose Miguel Barreto who accompanied me in
the operations. The fight then became general,
| the fires OF musketry and cannon succeeding each
other until three O'Clock in the morning, when
THE BURNING OF THE RDTICES
In Real, Angel Igesla, Valcourt, Almendro and
Commercio streets began. In these moments the
| war vessels opened fire against the city, but they
only injured some edlces. The combat continued
until hali-past four O'Clock In the morning, wnen
ordered a retreat which was executed in the best
| order, AFTER leaving destroyed by fire
| MORE THAN HALF or THE CITY,
4 having burned more than 80 establishments OF the
i Spanards. We captured % stand Of arms 5000
rounds OF ammunition, considerable booty IN
! gold, notes. clothing, provisions, horses &c. The
enemy suffered losses OF upward OF million OF
dollars. We
MADE ABOUT ONE HUNDRED pRrsoSERs
mostly Cubans, who were at once liberated | can
assure you, Citizen Secretary that the losses the
that he was twice defeated by Brigader Macon IN
/ the sortles which he attempted from the infantry
barracks, where he was perfectly well fortified
and several times he suffered the same late in the
sorties which he attempted against the other
/ columns OF attack.
On our part we had killed Majors Bias Almlrall
! and Juan Vega, Lieutenant Juan NarsIso Cullen.
| Sub-Lieutenant Leonardo Salcedo and Juan dc Ia
! Cruz Guerra and IA non-commissoned officers and
soldiers. There were wouDded-Cplone Emilio
/ Noguera, Lieutenant Colonel Narciso Silva,
/ Captains Juan Pray, Bernardo Manes, An
| dres Brizuea, Francisco dc y. Marion ana
Jose Maria Dominquez, Leutenanls Elias
| Perez, Valcntin Cansuegra, Augustin Milan, Juan
| Pal0ninos, Carlos Garvino Estrada; SuO-1deu-
tenants Diego FerraI Juan Rojas, Jose Reyes and
| SO non-commissioned officers and soldiers, besides