The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-14

ty-four years OF age, rather 0wsized, but stoutly
built; smooth face, very Clearly shaved, with side
whiskers. q good eye and fine teeth. He is an
onicer OF great promise and has already on many
occasions distinguished himself. The brigade OF
sable warriors whom he commands are greatly at
tached TO their leader. Maseo was glad TO see
| representative OF the HERALD and expressed his
| regrets that could not go over the Guantanamo
district with him. His command was at once sent
OF on the main road west OF Palma Sorano 10 de.
| stroy the telegraph line and did not see him
| again for ten days
GENERAL MANUEL CALvAR
| came In from the main camp at Dos B0eas on the
10th. He is smart little man OF about forty eight
years, OF plain exterior rather long black hair and
black eyes, with wart under the left eye. Before
the war he was rich planter near ManzanilIo, but
| now mas hardly second shirt TO his back. lie has
| lent good service to the Cuban cause
General Garcia paid me visit and we had q
long conversation, on the evening Of the 10th OF
| March. The next day General Calyar told me that
Garcia thought II would be better FOR me to accom-
! pany the former to the main camp at Dos Bocas-
| there much life in it, and l would I've more
amused than In little detached camp where there
| were only few families. In the afternoon
| l STARTED FOR DOS BocAs,
| and reached the camp with a servant, guide and
| two Officers, before shutdown. The camp was con-
structed OF single street OF hu,s on both sides Of
| the pathway running along the northern bank Of
| the Cauto, in Hoiguin. No attempts even were
| made at temporary iortihcation-not a tree ieled
nor sod raised TO protect the entrance 10 either
| front or rear OF the camp. True, II was well
watched by yigilant guards and sharp eyes, for
every man present has q personal interest in the
| security OF the whole; but at the same time that
| did not excuse apparent neglect or ignorance IN
adopting proper defensive measures. Between
this camp aud that OF Dos Rios, Oh
the south, or Cuban district OF Santiago
| lie Cuba is mcanD side Of The Canio.
over eight hundred troops were concentrated
about eight days before my arrival. since then
they had been sent OF on expeditions in different
directions, leaving but handful Of men with Cal
var. Colonel Limbano Somchez, with his command,
had been sent in the direction OF Magyar; Leu
tenant Colonel slverio Prado was out IN the drec-
ton OF Guam tanamo; Maseo was there, anu 100 men
had gone to Jiguani
TO ESCORT Mr.. o'krLIY
on his way TO the residence OF the Executive.
Besides, the escort Of General Garcia were with
their chief at the little camp OF the families where
had left him. The troops whom found in camp
were those OF Jigrani under Lieutenant Colonel
Saladriguiz, OF Hoguin, commanded by Lieu
tenant Colonel Herero, and about u company com.
posing Calvar's escort. Then, only a portion OF
these troops we're present, the rest being occupied
number in camp to about one hunnred and twenty
combatants, and nearly as many-what shall we
eau them-military servants would perhaps be The
best name for the c0auoye,os.
The same night OF my arrival at Dos Bocas some
foragers brought in word from the toniaf0tes OF
tine yoya that their escort had exchanged shots
with the outposts or
7 AN ADVANCING SPANISH COLUMN.
The guards were doubled and all requisite prepa-
rnt aln far I'M I'd ftapl It.f ha
ing Upon awaking on the morning Of the 22d of
March found everybody at his post, momenta-
rly expecting the approach Of the spaniards
Women, children, people ON the sick st and other
noncombatants, forming mournfu spectacle as
they passed, were conducted by small guard 10
place OF safety in the woods. 10 was melan
choly yet amusing sight to see those poor clea
tures laden with pots, kettles, dishes and bundles
Of clothes, wend slowly their weary way towards
the inmost Businesses OF the friendly forest. The
HERALD man being non -combatant they wanted
to send him to the rear with these reserve forces
but he did not see the matter in that light, and
told the officer who brought the message that IL
would be vastly preferable to remain where he
was. Things continued in this condition until about
Jour O'Clock in the afternoon, when scout brought
| reliable news that
| THE ENEMY HAD RETIRED
the way they came, and that everything was quiet
had nothing to eat until about two O'CLOCK p. e.,
when some Of the officers Kindly gave me roasted
bOniGtOs. Afterwards uincc with General caviar
On dried beef and ooniatos, enjoying, by way Of
dessert, the luxury Of chocolate swceteneu with
wild honey. At nine O'Clock at night fresh news
was brought In that the Spaniards continued to
advance. Orders were renewed for the troops TO
hold themselves ready FOR action in the morning
or to evacuate the camp, as the case might be.
MARCH 23-Thc camp was early astir, and the
pnu m n cor dec In bnt n 4 ha
rear. The garrison waited patiently until about
halfpast nine O'Clock NJ, when
SHOT FROM THE cUBAN ADvANcFD GUARD,
followed in quick succession by number Of Others,
told us that the fight was inevitable. There were
| a lew minutes or excitement, but not trace Of
fear visible any OF the faces about me; every
body dropped silently into his place. and the patri
OTIS were ready. ] attached myself to the person
or Calvar, and expressed my intention OF remain
ing by him during the battle. was astenisled to
see that in short time lie LEFT the
camp accompanied by small escort,
in an opposite direction to that from
which the firing proceeded. The reason for
this move, l afterwards learned, was that the
spaniards, refusing the direct road TO the Cuban
! camp, had inclined to their left and taken a path
to the right oft which would have brought them
out on the right nanK and rear OF Cavar's forces,
near the ford OF the Cauto. General CAVIAR con-
tinued his retrograde movement for a distance OF
about two miles, going east on the north bank OF
the river, where we crossed shallow ford 10 the
south side, not far from the place where General
Garcia and the families were camped Upon reach
ing the level above The rivers steep bank II was
found that
| TIE STANDARDS bad ALREADY TURNED THE CUBAN
| CAMP
and were on their way TO take possession OF the
fords, being at that moment in a place called
Sabanlla, = little more than good cannon range
RON where VIC then were. the Cuban forces being
in full retreat for the fords having promptly
| evacuated the camp. Calvar gave orders Tor the
retreating Cubans 10 take possession OF the fords,
| nd 10 hold them m n an slprIy