The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-21

some scattering through the wood, others n
groups toward Ia yutia. Our cavalry remained
masters OF the held.
that airing had been heard in the direction OF
the Jibaro; and he ordered the troops when
were then sying e. ne centre Hf ,b we Nth
the rest OF Brigadisr Arminans brigane; WINE
still ON the road, cOrnei sent 10y MAJOR uyh-
zalo brought him news Of the battle and OF the
reiren Of tho enemy. The message stated that
the Major remained on the Held taxing care o!
his wounded who numbered tnr', o'nr ,s, anu
that "a there was only one surgeon TO attend 10
them. II was an extremely lengthy OPERATION.
Besides these wounded, we l2st twen,y,s nS
corpscs on the field. His wounded. which were
more numerous, marched on with the rest 81
hi- forces to recover or perish IN the density VI
the forest.
ARRIVAL or THB OENERAL-iN-CHiEF.
A few moments later the General. in-Chiof ar
rived at the scene Of action, and was then
enabled to appreciate the bravery and daring OF
our soldiers. Among oil tho dead aud wounded
there was not one single wound In the back.
Aud they must have fought with the very great
est heroism to beat and put TO hight an enemy
who, besides the advantage OF numbering twice
rs many men as ours, were rested and had
Ills ENcellency, after giving eycrs necessary
order that the wounded be cared Tor at once,
rewarded upon the field the valur of those gal
liant Spaniards, who had just 50 noDly upheld
the honor Oi their nag.
such was, in few words, the light ut tho
Cafetal Gonz lez, glorious fight where not
military sagdcity but also individual heroism
was carried to a high pitch-a tight which finds
but few parallels In the histOrics Of war. for II
Is well known that the shock Of two bodies OF
cavalry are usually decided In q few minutes hy
a purely physical law In favor Of the body
which, with the greater Impetus aud the greater
weight OF its mass, which consists H. It's num-
bers, falls upon one which Is weaker by reason
Of it, lesser numbers. IL Us undoubtedly one OF
the very few instances in military history IN
which body Of cavalry, numbering not one
half that Of the enemy, and mounted let this
he borne Ia mind-On the same stamp OF horses,
besides the fact that the latter were very tlred,
has repealed furious charges and ~ the end pas
triumphcd over an cnemv's cavalry more than
double It's numbers. accustomed to war, skilled
IN the handling Of arms and horses, and admirl-
bl> generated. The victory WIS simply due TO
the superior personal bravery Of the conquerors.
HIsToRfc ILLUSTRATIONS.
We will quote only two examples corrobora-
tive of our statement. At the battle OF Water
loo the English IifeGuards hurled themselves
upon and destroyed the French Cuirassicrs IN
their celebrated charge. not In consequence Of
the superior bravery OF the hofsemcn, but the
supcTiotity Of their horses IN size. weight, and
strength The same thing occurred In the Ia
nous charge at Balaliiava, where the horses OF
the English brigade were Infinitely superior In
size. weight. and strength to any Russian cavalry
which was opposed TO them. Bat In tue hight at
the Caictal Gonzllez--at least e, glorious. al.
though Of more modest pretensons-the horses
Of our cavalry were IN no way superior to those
more tired.
Let us now see the meaning and the results Of
this admirable and glorious fght.
The most immediate OF these results can b.
easily Understood after the explanation we have
given Of the plan which Maxine Gomez expected
To carry out. This plan hiss been completely
frustrated The loader has taken refuge in his
lairs in the woods about Sancti Spirius with less
than ~ horses. the greater part OF his force
escaped unhurt from the field Of battle having
scattered in all directions. TIE rest are boken
UP into little groups mo pable Of undertI king
any serious operation, and are being pursued ia
every direction 10y the forces OF Brgadier Bayle.
The Ifolectel raid, first through the jurisdc-
iion OF Coon. and afterward ON their return,
through that OF Cienfuegos, c innOt be carried
out. Conscquently all the property which mi .ht
have been destroyed Is safe.