The New York herald., 1873-12-12
THE PRESS IN CUBA LIBRE.

GEL Boietin de In Guerra"-A Live News
paper Among the Mambis Gives mn
Official Account OF the Capture of
Santa Cruz.
The second number OF the Cuban organ, Ell Boletin
de Ia Guerra, has reached the HERALD Office
through the Spanish lines. 1t is fairly printed on
reasonably good paper. and is singularly free from
typographical other errors. 1t was published
in Camaguay on the 10th of October, and contains
a full report OF the capture of Santa Cruz, from
which the following paragraphs are extracted
THIRD ARMY CORPS.
SANTA ANA, Oct. 7, 1873.
To THE CITIZEN SECRETARY OF WAR;
Alter the occupation ofNuevitas, it was necessary
to rest the troops. When this had been done they
were called together at Pensacola the 26th ult.
column OF 45O infantry and 10 norsemen was or
At eight O'Clock on the morning OF the 27th the
march towards santa Cruz, nine leagues distant,
a a. eeVen r az night we
Jective point, where the columns OF attack were
formed.
Colonel Reeve and Colonel Manuel suarez were
detailed with $50 horses to occupy the road lead
ing to the entrance OF the village.
Here follow details OF how the different columns
were placed, alter which the report goes on to
The column moved at four O'Clock in the morn
ing. The attack, which was rapid and bold COM
menced at daybreak.
Three pieces Of artillery commanded the en-.
trance to the town. The point where Colonel
Reeve was to attack he found guarded by re.
doubt and garrisoned with troops of the line.
e n Of the attack , the
prised, could not sustain themselves more
snao saan two 1--we cdIano minutes oo on the side as;
them to abandon their first advanced post, and
one OF their cannons remained In our power.
ana again offered resistance opposing the advance
OF Lieutenant Colonel Betancourt. The enemy
directed his strongest nre through the door OF the
barracks, but soon we forced 1t and dislodged
them, those who escaped taking refuge In the re-
doubt, where they had another cannon, which
they were unable TO use.
After taking the barracks the magazine also fell
into our hands The ammunition which we found
was 50 much as to employ nearly all the forces to
take IT out OF the magazine.
Colonel Reeve, not needing the fire from the
fort, passed the road in 'front.' OF 1t with
for the breastwork, where the third cannon
was placed, defended by troops OF the line and vol
not not before dlscharging volley at close range.
The Colonel was wounded, and his men retired,
leaving behind the cannon which they had taken.
lleutenant Colonel Mantejo took his place. The
enemy. again IN possession OF the cannon, fired
one or two harmless Shots
During the action q house was accidentally set
on fire, and the flames spread with such ra-
pidity as to ernbarrass our movements as the men
were overloaded in the narrow street, with cloth
Ing, ammunition and provisions. 1t therefore
became necessary TO order O retreat, which was
executed IN the greatest order. We brought with
us several families TO put them out OF the reach OF
danger.
AT short distance half was ordered for the
70 tne wounded. In a short time we were notified
OF the advance OF 200 OF the enemy's cavalry. To
meet TINS contingency our cavalry were deployed
remained an hour on the spot. The enemy hid
themselves.
The column continued the march slowly, and
with those Interruptions consequent upon the
loaded condition OF the troops.
The town was occupied by us for two hours.
During this time we took piece OF artillery,
which we spiked and rendered useless, be-
cause OF our inability TO transport IL. We
also captured 142 rifles, 129 percussion muSkets
Swords, machetcs, 600 metallic cartridges OF dii.
erent classes 1900 paper cartridges 1870 POUNDS Oh
powner, 1880 caps, case snot, mcdicme, nhss
enects belonging to an armorer's shop, ana lances
200 suits OF military clothing, large sums OF money
III gold and IN paper, watches, valuable Je"eTy
and seven saddle horses. -
The enemy's loss IL calculated at 4O or o. men I,
although they were not counted, because oi other
urgent duties that had TO bc ATTENDED 70.
Our losses we're IL killed and % wounueu among
resulted from the attack on the barracks
General sanguily reports that on the Both OF
August q detachment OF the Guerilas OF the North
made prisoners IA OF the volunteers, who were
driving cattle, all OF which, together wfh their
arms, were captured.
| IL men passed round the military that IL in
the outslIrts Of che city (Camagueyj, finding the
people In deploraple condition Of misery.
BE pleased TO accept, nc,
| RAFAEL RODRIGUEZ,
! Lieutenant Colonel Of stan