The New York herald., 1873-12-24
CUBA LIBRE.

Re0ort or Operations I'm the Insurrec-
tionary Distrfcts-Thc Capture or MAN.
sanfllo-The Battle OF Santa Marta-A
Proposition or Exchangc-The Cubans
Abundantly Supplied with Arms.
Dispatches from Cuba Libre descriptive OF the
military operations Of the patriots against the
Spaniards we're received and read at the head
quarters OF Los Amigos de Cuba yesterday. They
demonstrate that the power Of the insurgents for
offensive warfare has greatly increased during the
past few months, and that they are continually en-
croaching on the power Of their enemy in the
island. The successful
ATTACK ON MANsANILLO,
accounts which, from spanish sources, were pub
lished at the time, Ia fully described In the report
OF the Secretary OF War, Figuero TO the Secretary
OF State. According TO this the Cuban forces
numbering about 1.4Oo men, and divided into six
columns, approached the town on the night OF the
10th OF November. AT one O'Clock they met col
umn Of the enemy outside OF the town, attacked
and dispersed IT, taking % prisoners killing five
and capturing 80 rines and o quantity OF ammuni-
tion. AS they approached the town they heard the
sound OF general alarm. from which they knew
the Spaniards inside were ready to receive them.
The town Is defended by the castles OF Ferona ana
Saragossa ana nine towers, while in the harbor at
the time were the man-of-war venidito and two
gunboats. From these 500 men we're landed to as
sst in the defence OF the place. Within half an
hour after the first attack the Spaniards had
abandoned the towers and concentrated within
and occupied the market place and other principal
points At three O'Clock they began to
SET FIRE TO THE HOUSES,
and at the same time the vessels In the harbor
opened on the place, but without doing any injury
save to the buildings. In summing up the result Of
the operation the report says that more than half OF
the city was destroyed including 80 stores belong
ing to Spanards. Twenty-f0ur r1es, 5000 cart
ln fATS md 2nnV ITCH nonk
notes and an immense quantity OF clothing and
provisions were captured and carried away. 1t is
calculated that merchandise to the value OF
81 600, 600 was burned. The Spanish loss in killed
and wounded is estimated at 200. The Cubans lost
13 ofncers killed and 90 privates the same report
captured the Spanish Camp Zanja, with 10000
cartridges 20 rihes horses, provisions and 40 prs-
OnerB who were released.
THE BATTLE OF SANTA MARIA,
In the jurisdiction oil HOlguin, which took place in
a Is fully esnsS IN tine
the place was almost destroyed, the Commander
and several 0fhcers and 280 men being made prs-
supplies were also taken. Following the engage
ment. the Cuban Commander forwarded the iol-
lowing communication to the Spanish Brlgadier at
the head OF operations in the district
HEADQUARTERS SANTA MARIA, Sept a. 1873
Brigader soLAs MARIN, Holguin-
Maria the Column under lieutenant Colonel Angel
s4oyea leaving prisoners N our hands here oi
low the names o. the oilssrs,, which persons are
send to you. with the communication, the Spanish, cap
demands greater than give him. send
also Private Doneeo Caballero his attendant take
this opportunity Of announcing to that am duly
authorized 70 exchange the aforesaid prisoners at such
%e anS saif oh eehngs o
one and If this is satisfactory, will give up officer
for every man OF hom may hold Please send
your answer to my headquarters by two men under q
hag OF They will be received respectfully and
sponse CALIXTO GARCIA INIGUEZ.
No response was made to the communication.
Foil lox vtnU hIp nf annau ,anf and in
recounting further successful military opera
tons between Gibara anc Hoguin, General
Garcia refers to the order from the Ex-
ecutive directing that no more execu-
tons Of prisoners be made. Following the
engagements the custom OF the Cuban generals Is
to disarm their prisoners and release them, per-
mittng them to return to the nearest post
occupied by the Spanards.
The Official dispatches from the Cuban govern
ment state that no more arms and ammunition
are required as with those on hand the forces are
enabled to obtain an abundant supply by capture