Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1878-03-23
CCBs'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM.
History of the Ten Years Strugcle-The
Cause of Independence Lost. but an
Honorable Peace Gained-Bsttles of the
Mar.
from the New York Herald.l

The history of nearly 10 years strug-
gle which commenced at Iara on Oct.
| 10, 1868, is one of the deepest interest.
The events that Immediately preceded
the outbreak have close connection
with the condition of politics in the
mother country, as Spaniards love to
call old Spain. The revolution of ls6S
promised great reforms on the peninsu-
la, but the Cubans possessing deep
and burning hatred of Spain, had no
faith whatever that the benefits to be en-
loved by the Spaniards would be ex-
tended to them. They, the Cubans,
knew from experience that, no matter
who ruled in Spain, Cuba would con-
tirue to be regarded as a conquered de-
pendency, from which the sinews of war
or the means for political intrigue would
continue to be drawn. Therefore they
looked on the disturbance of affairs in
Spain as the long -hoped-for opportunity
OF putting in practice the cherished de-
sign of revolution and the expulsion of
the Spaniards. Among the leading
spirits in the insurrectionary move
ment were Carlos Manuel Cespedes,
Francisco Aguilera, Manuel Aguilera,
| b slisario Alvarez, Vicente Garcia, Don
alto Marmol, and Manuel Fernandez,
each representing local revolutionary
| iunta in the Eastern department of the
island. The information regarding the
projected outbreak having reached Ha-
vana, an order was sent to ManZanillo
for the arrest of the conspirators. But
friendly Governor of Bayamo gave
Early in October it had been determined
to begii the war of independence on the
18th, the action of the Spanish Govern
ment seems to have forced the insur-
gents to commence on the 10th by the
now historic declaration of principles
and the proclamation of the Cuba Re-
public IT Yara With few hundred
poorly armed followers the brave Ces-
pedes took the field and won his first
success in the capture of the town of
Bayamo on the 18th and of the citadel on
the 22d. A Spanish force of l,4OO in
fantry with cavalry sent under the COM
mand of Col. Quiros to relieve Bayamo
was entirely defeated by the Cubans. At
ter this success a republican govern
ment was formerly organized under Sal
vador Cisneros Betancourt, Marquis of
Santa Lucia, and the brothers Agra
monte.
Meantime Count Valmaseda, the Sc
gundo Cabo, or deputy Captain eneral
at Havana, was ordered to take the
field against the insurgents. He COM
menced operations by making a final
tender of terms to the patriots, but fail
ed to make any impression on them by
fair promises. He advanced with q
force of about 1920 men, chiefly made
up of volunteers, but counting few
regular troops. He was attacked be-
tween Nuevitas and Puerto Principe,
and left his dead on the field. He final
ly reached San Miguel after harassing
march of five days, during which the pa
triots hung on his TANKS and rear, cut
ting off many of his men. Increasing
his force TO 1900 men he reached Baya-
mo after series of bloody checks only |
to find the place burned and abandoned |
by the Cubans. In other parts of the |
Eastern Department the progress
of the Spanish troops was con-
tinualiy being checked and Col. Acosta
z Alvear was defeated by the patriots |
at Las Yaguas with heavy loss On Dec
20. Gen. Quesada succeeded in landing
a cargo of arms, and took command of |
the insurgent army of Camaguey. Ler-
sandi, the Spanish Captain-G General, |
made great efforts to secure a peaceful |
settlement of the trouble, but failed and |
retired 10 Spain, being succeeded by |
Captain General Dulce. Toward the |
close of the administration of Dulce, the |