The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-17
CUBA LIBRE.

THE WAR OPERATIONS IN cAMAeUEY AND THE
EASTERN DEPARTMENT -vIcENTE GARCIA VIC
ToRIoUs-BULLETN FROM THE FIELDS or
BATTLE.
An extra sheet OF the Bolettn de la Guerra, pub
lsned by the cuban patriots, brings us news that
in the Central ana Eastern departments, as well
in the Clnco Villas, the Cubans are making con-
siderable headway against their spanish adver-
sarles. The paper from which the following ex-
tracts are taken was published under date OF
March 5. IN Camaguey. When we consider the
strength or the spanish navy ana the peculiar cir
cumstances under which the Cubans are operat-
ing the wonder is not that the news OF their VIC
tories should reach US late, but rather that 1t
could get here at ALL
GENERAL GARcIA's REPORT TO THE CUBAN sEcRE-
TARY or WAR.
Major General Vicente Garcia, in an Official COM
municatlon to the Cuban Secretary or War,
says:-
l proposed TO attack the enemy's conveys be
tween Cauto and Bayamo. With this OBJECT | re-
turned TO Escandioa, where General Ruiz was
already stationed win some forces, and having
joined these, took up the line OF march, encamp-
ing on the l5tn OF February az Macio three leagues
from the Caut0 road, to watch tue passing Of tile
convoy To the right Of this road, At ABOUT 200
metres from IL, 10 densely wooded space called
Known ass al savanna Grsnde. | reconnoitred this
position on the morning OF the l7th and
form an ampuscade near the salient
point OF the wood; also tnat Colonel
operation with $50 men, IN the rear OF General
RuIz's position. and In support OF MIN, and that
the cavalry should be contested behind the point
OF the wood. The infantry was assigned the duty
OF attacking the advanced guard aud centre Of
the enemy by the right nank. the remaining
forces under the orders OF Colonel Cespedes, we're
THE AMBUscADE.
With my forces IN this position, and the enemy
N nj
I7th. ordered that In the nlgst the men OF the
nrst line OF the smo1seade should ne down Ia the
long grass at about forty PAGES nom the road.
THE ENEMY N SIGHT.
At four O'Clock In the afternoon OF the 18th, and
savanna. escoriing small convoy Tor JDacoa and
at ten O'Clock In the morning OF the 18TH TWO
We were marcning IN inc direction Of cauto TO
CanreIe. We alo we'd these people TO pass.
AT seven O'Clock IN tne night OF toe 18TH our
scouts announced that the convoy was advancing
aud nearly In 'front.' oil our amDuscade, the men OF
when R4d been placed within forty yards Of the
road
voLLEY SENT ISTo THE sPAStAaDs.
Our infantry, with admirable holiness and deci-
sion, manmuvrng as n on parade, nred general
vo.ley aud threw themselves upon the enemy,
fdchete In hand. Ihe enemY's vanguard and
GENRE were Immediately put in disorder and
THE CONVOY CAPTURED,
after some little resistance on the part or the
Sp2nlards, wRo tried 20 make parapet OF the
VINO accompanied the cavalry under command Of
Lieutenant POrforlO GOnzaleZ, this force did not
Charge Dy Tue llh5 AuAt Dsth nos kntu W III
order 20 throw the enemy into the savanna. Dut
took the LEFT ank, aud thus divided the forces or
tins arm, throwing II into some disorder. order
was soon restored, ana sent my aide.de-camp,
Captain Miguel Naldivia, 10 charge by the dsnk
first indicated. tbs obliged the spanish rear TO
take the savanna, where u was totally DESTROYED
by the cavalry.
One hundred and eleven rines were taken, to-
gether WITH ammunition, ntdclseteS reviewers,
thirtyour carts, 235 beasts OF burden, loaded win
foreign merchandise and products OF the country,
ar IN n and
sPANIsH LOSSES.
The enemys column which escorted the convoy
was composed OF 800 infantry, and the ascertalned
losses this force 130 dead bodies lett tue
neld ana seyenty-seven prisoners whose names !
send you In the accompanying statement
PATRIOT LOssEs.
Our losses we're i've wounded, whose names
also send you.
PRISONERS AND VOLUNTEERS.
Four OF the peninsular prisoners aud forty or the
Cubans chose 70 remain In our camp after tney
had been released nom custody. Tue remainder
returned 70 tue spanish hines after being cured OF
the wounds which they mad received.
SAFE RETREAT AFTER VICTORY
At daybreaK on the 18TH, after securing every.
thug we could carry awaI from the convoy aud
burning the rest and ali the carts, iretreated 70
Cauto Il pasO (the f0rdl.
THE sPASIARDs RETURN.
On the 2Oth the enemy, 10 the number Of 500
men, appeared on the late field OF battle, and |,
havlnR gone 10 reconnoitre them with force OF
twenty norsemen, received the FIRE OF an infantry
amDuscade, by winch one OF my men MAS severely,
aud two others slightly wounded. We deployed
on the savannS a. sEirmisners, 10 n the enemy
would advance his cavalry, but he did not send
out forces Of any KIND, Notwithstanding the many
pToy0cauOns given MIN. have the honor. &c,
" GARCIA, General Of the Department.