The New York herald., 1873-12-02
SALVADOR CISNEROS SUCCEEDS Him
The Battle of La Zanja--
Spanish Defeat.
Two Hundred and Sixty Spaniards Killed
and 400 Rifles, with Much Ammuni-
ton, Captured by the Cubans.
Circumstantial Details of the
Battle Of Holguin.

most remarkable event mas Just taken place
here; remarkable when we take into account the
recent execution OF the prisoners OF the virgnius
On the night OF the nth three officers. who be-
'longed to Colonel Dieguez's column and who were
taken prisoners by the insurgent forces, quietly
came into town, having been set at liberty by the
government OF the Cuban Republic. These oficers
were accompanied until near the entrance OF the
town by an insurgent party, and were the bearers
OF letter from the Cuban Major General Calixto
Garcia, in which he begs the Spanish government
70 carry on the campaign In civilized manner and
not wage war alter the fashion OF savages which
has been hitherto the course Of the Spanish soldiers
and their onicers
But how little does Calixto Garcia know the his
tory OF these visgioths-that fatal race who arose
from the south of Sweden, and, defeated by the
Huns, overrun Thrace leaving behind them
WAKE OF BLOOD AND RUM
You may rest assured that Cespedes has ceased to
be the President OF the Cuban Republic, and that
his successor is Salvador Cisneros. Marquis Of
Santa Lucia, and native OF Puerto Principe. The
reason OF the change appears to have been the bad
state Of health Of the ormer but the fact Is that
the latter present occupies the first place OF the
Republic, this duty having fallen upon the Marquis
as President OF the Cuban Camara (ChamDer Of
Deputies), until elections can be held. Calixto
Garcia is spoken OF as the probable candidate for
the Presidency.
At another time shall give you all the particu-
lars and officta data in relation thereto.
The following proclamation by Vicente Garcia
before the attack on La Zana. October II, and the
official reports Of that action with list OF prison
ers and a number OF other important and interest
ing documents have reached your correspondent
through especial" by the underground railroad,
and WILL no doubt, be read with interest by the
HERALD readers 1t is as follows:-
Spanish domination in Cuba is rapidly reaching
It's end LIS defenders are deieased throughout the
dares to come out Of his entrenched towns, and tits
there we must seek him.
principal support are now recognizing their error,
and are everywhere abandoning him and coming
brothers. We are about TO march against the
enemy's encampment OF LA Zanja." Perhaps
you may not lot, be called upon to fight provided tn. the
should 1t be necessary. recollect that you carry
with you the elements OF victory, without which
assurance would not expose the life OF the least
AT al events your welknown valor win con,
exact obedience to the orders Of your cnief and
the consciences OF Tree and civilized men viii pre-.
M van ss over your Toes - spare the conquered avoid
less and succor the weak.
Act thus and the country and myself win be well
content, having no punishment to infiict but only
good actions to reward; viva Cubal
VICENTE GARCIA. Major General
The following Is the report OF Major General
Vicente Garcia to the Secretary OF War, concern
ing the acion Of La zanja, on the 12tn Of Oc-
tober:-
No. 12e HEADQUARTERS |
ZANJA DE CABANIGUAN, Oct IA, 1873
To THE SECRETARY OF WAR
The reaction in our favor among the people and
volunteers OF this place being almost complete,
and knowing that the enemy kept in his forts quite
them on the night of the 18th inst. in the manner
stated in the 'order OF the day" OF that day, copy
At TOUR O'Clock in the afternoon after reading to
the troops the decree OF the President OF the
Republic OF the 10th Of August last relative the
regularizatton OF the war on our side and the ad-
dress copies OF which / also accompany, took up
the march from Rincon Hondo with 800 Infantry and
30 cavalry OF the second division, which ! consd-
cred strong enough force to obtain the result
proposed. arrived In the vicinity OF this town at
% the Use ae
Francisco Cedlno and Manuel Fonseca, who were
Advanced guards were stationed on the roads
leading to this place, and at ten O'Clock (night,
according to the preconcerted plan, Colonel Angel
Mestre, with 30 men, attacked the principal fort,
which Is square in form, with an entrenched ditcn
and stockade. The guard was surprised and over
powered, and Major Felipe Rodriguez, with one
party, rapidly entered on one side, and Captain
Vicente Cortina on the other with another party,
both falling upon the garrison who had their head
the fort. rhe garrison was
COMPLETELY SURPRISED, AND SURRENDERED
soldiers escaping. In the hand.to.hand nd fight,
which lasted 4 snort time two OF the enemy's sol
diers were Killed and a number wounded, among
who resisted. The garrison belonged to The Third
company OF the battalion Cazadores de Aragon.
simultaneously Captain Julian Santana attacked
the advanced work. some 300 yards distant from
the principal fort, and making signal agreed
upon with the volunteers stationed there, and
aided by them, ne penetrated into the post, max.
ing four regular soldiers prisoners, without the
nrlng OF q shot; but one was wounded ior attempt
ing TO resist.
After sending the prisoners to our forces in re-
serve, where their wounds were attended TO, the
the storehouses already mentioned and TO four OF
the principal stores OF the town.
As soon as we got possession or the forts our
nag Was raised over them, and still remain in the
place. transferring the large amount OF booty we
seized. This Is composed OF 46 Remington rifles,
~ Belgian rifles lao 600 cartridges. lead machetes
norses, clothing, medicine and other useful artt-
cles too numerous TO mention.
not the less so that we obtained it without loss Of
any kind that our forces acted with decision,
order and discipline quite admirably, not single
OF the enemy were killed 1t was because they did
not accept the quarter offered them, put resisted
The number OF volunteers and able bodied men
now ready to follow our standard are As. The re-
matnder-w0men, old men and children, Tor the
greater part-have chosen to remain here.
As t Ii not necessary to hold this place, when
leave i ! shall hal SET 1.-THE the prisoners at liberty to 60
me for permission TO enter our ranks. / have
courteousiy refused them, and stated that they
huu OctLci lcuFC, aitSiWai thiuh over buelr
resolution, and provided they still entertained the
same sentiments they might
TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PASS OVER
TO US, assured that they could be wecom ed and
considered according TO their merits, and the rank
equal to that which they. held in the Spanish
service might be retained by them, and that
higher would be granted II IL should appear upon
their presentation that they had performed any
important service.
send a list OF the prisoners. Those who were
wounded were carefully attended to, and those
VINO died were given Christian burial.
With sentiments OF the highest consideration
ana esteem, am, &c- VICENTE GARCIA,
Chief OF the West OF the Department of Cauto.
The following graphic letter, under date or
october 1s Is from Lieutenant Colonel Fernando
Figuereas, Chief OF Stan to President Carlos
Manuel Cespedes:-
commence this letter by congratulatinp you for
the activity displayed lalely In that districf ana
for she brilliant results obtained under the i'm
mediate direction oil Major General Cespedes, by