The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-27
THE WAR IN CUBA.

A SPANISH CAPTAIN DEGRADED FROM RANK AND
nIPRsoNED-PLUNDER OF THE PEOPLE By
THE RoYAL1sr soLDIERs-GENERAL EsPoNDA
SAID TO HAVE BEEN KuIED-REPoRTs FROM
THE FIELDS OF BATTLE.
HAVANA, Jan. Fl, 1875.
The following news Is extracted from letter
dated Puerto Principe, December 81 :-On the goth
inst. there was sorTowful scene enacted here.
the captain who commanded the Spanish forces
when the insurgents attacked San Geronimo, and
who was sentenced to be shot by order OF the
court martial had mis- sentence committed by
General Concha to be stripped Ia presence OF the
army OF all insignia OF rank end to serve ten
years. Imprisonment in close confinement. The
sentence OF disgrace was executed in the presence
OF all tho forces In Puerto Principe and largo
number Of citizens.
SPANISH MILITARY PLUMBER.
The following is from Manzanillo, dated January
s:-The merchants OF Manzanillo having refused
to credit the Spanish troops for groceries one
company attacked the stores and attempted to
help themselves. The merchants resisted the at
tack and were aided BY lew volunteers, and the
difficulty terminated in the killing and wounding
OF several on both sides.
xEPORTED DEATH OF THE SPANISH GENERAL Es-
FONDA.
There Is q rumor on the street to-day that Gen.
eral Esponda, commanding the Spanish forces In
the jurisdiction OF Santi Espiritu had been killed
during a skirmish with the forces OF Maxine
Gomez on the 10Th.
ISsUIGENT SUCCESS BY RAID.
On the 4th the insurgents entered the town OF
Mayari set fire to several houses, and alter short
skirmisn with the volunteers departed.
Six volunteers were wounded.
The streets are u OF gold spectators and oil
kinds OF rumors are put In circulation by them,
but nothing reliable can be gained.
1t Is conceded by the Spanish authorities that
Maxine Gomez and Vilamil, with $500 men, are
In the Cinco Villas, and fears are entertained that
in their retreat they VIII order the destruction Of
all the sugar estates in that department.
The Spanish officers claim they have oil the In
surgents who crossed the Trocha in q trap, and
that 1t is only question OF few days. time to
destroy the whole rebellion This, however, has
been standing report OF headquarters ior the
past six months
HOPES OF THE CUBANs.
The Cubans are very sanguine about the success
OF the insurgents who crossed the Trocha, but 1t
Is doubtful If they will succeed in getting into the
sugar districts this side of Sagua.
Matters are so uncertain. however. that IL IS
possible small bands may run through and burn
plantations.
SMALLPOX.
Smallpox continues to rage very severely over
the whole island Many people are dying from it..
SPANISH REPORTS FROM THE CNCo-vMLAs DIS
TRICT.
HAVANA, Jan. 90, 1875.
The press OF the city pronounce certain I'M
favorable rumors about operations in the interior
untrue. and report tnat the troops in the Cinco-
Villas district lave been heavily reinforced.
EXPRESSION OF BEvENGE AGAINST THE INsUR-
GENTS.
Confidence IL expressed that not only will the
insurgents find their intentions frustrated but
they will receive the punishment which their saw
age conduct merits, and which brings them the
hatred OF the Inhabitants OF the island and the
contempt OF civilized people,