New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-08-20

The account which we publish of the latest
engagement in Cuba between Spanish guerrillas
and the insurgents, it should be borne In
mind, is the Spanish side of the story From
this it would seem that the insurgents were
put to flight, but succeeded, under cover
of the woods, in making a successful resist
ance to further pursuit. 1t is not difficult,
however, to conclude, from the usual tactics
of the insurgents, that they sent out oahd
to engage the guerrilas and retire to place
where the main body of the insurgents wouid
be able to fight on their own ground. Inc
Spanish troops have shown great caution Ill
avoiding contests outside of fortified places,
and nothing but stratagem of this kind could
succeed in bringing about an engagement I'M
der conditions favorable to the insurgents
On this occasion the Spanards evidently
suffered serious defeat.
The conclusion of the annual abOrs of the
American Association for the Advancement OF
Science is recorded in the correspondence
which we present on another page. The re-
ceipt of agreeable and abundant hospitality,
the size of the gathering the unusual pres
ence of many old and eminent members, and
the settlement of difficulties in the manage
mont were the marked features of this meet
ing The papers read were fully up to but
not above the average in interest and value,
though some of them-such as that OF Prof.
Elliott on the Credit of our Government and
Prof. Brewer on Reverting to Original Types
in Stock Breeding-will justly attract wide
spread attention. There was lack OF bril-
liant debate, and rather superfuity OF SUBJ
jects of minor interest. But on the whole the
meeting was exceedingly successful, and will
add to the prestige of the Association and to
the general knowledge of scientific progress.
1t is too soon yet to estimate what actual
advances in science this meeting records; but
of one thing we may at least be certain-nO
backward steps have been taken.
The report that Gen. Clusters expedition
has been attacked in the Black Hills comes in
roundabout way, and ought not to be given
full credence until confirmed by more direct
testimony than that of the mail-rider, who
SAYS he heard the story from scout. Yet it
is not improbable that Gen. Custer has met
the Indians, for they have hung about his trail
all along in a most suspicious manner, and his
scouts have from the first apprehended an
attack. The command OF Gen. Custer con-
sisted of about nine hundred persons, in
Guiding scientific corps under PrOfs. Win
chell and Grnnell, several correspondents,
nearly seven hundred soldiers, and one humid
red and fifty teamsters and cooks. When they
left Fort Lincoln on the Cd of July each SOL
der was armed with a carbine and re-
volyer and forty rounds of ammunition
for the one and twenty-fOur for the
other. On the march every precaution was
taken against surprise, and the Black Hills
were reached without disagreeable adven-
lures. If the Indians attacked the party as
is stated, it was probably on the return trip.
The country will wait in suspense for further
news of the expedition, and in the fervent
hope that if battle with the Indians has
taken place, Gen. Custer has won victory
with less sacrifice of life than is now re-
porfa6