Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-08-27
THE VENEZUELAN WAR.
Fierce Fighting Between Government
Troops and Revoiutionisfs.
nr telegraph to the pIspatch.l

10y ttftHTHDn " tAo finf1N~t
NEW York, August 26.-The steamship
Caracas, which left La Guayra' yeaezueiad and
August 2Oth arrived here to-day ana
brought information Of considerable tght-
ing in that country between the govern
ment forces and the revolutiOnists. Inc
Venezuelan Consul here received news that
General Crespo. chief Of the revolution.
lists. WAS in retreat before the government
soldiers. The last bulletin showed him 20
be at San Juan de los Moros, and that the
government soldiers were pressing ni,n
closely. Many of his followers were ues
sertin9 him, and his army was made up Oh
cowboys principally.
BATTLE OF cIUDAD BOLIVAR.
The Caracas also brought confirmation
and particulars Of the battle fought AZ
Ciudad Bolivar. the news OF whlen Was iv- e
ceiyed by telegraph, and which resulted IN
large number Of killed and wounded;
The government forces were commanded
hy General Careras, and the reyolutionstS
were under the leadership OF Generai
Guerra. Careras had 700 men, while the
revolutionists numbered about l,lOo. Du1
the latter were inferior in arms ana dlsclp-
pine. The battle opened OUTSIDE Oh tne
town. when General Careras caused a
charge 20 be made on the enemy. Inc
reyolutionlsts stood their ground firmly
and suffered considerable loss. The sol
diers of Careras we're repulsed and fell
back. carrying their wounded. After 2
short rest tho troops were reformed, anu
again attacked the rebels. Careras rode NJ
the head Of his men and urged them on.
He WAS cut of from the main body OF ms
little army. and with half dozen OF ms
men found himself surrounded by a large
number of the enemy. DE fought Tor MS
life as stubbornly as he could, but be was
finally knocked of his horse and killed;
The government forces then rallied and
forced the rebels to retreat.
ANOTHER BLOODY ENGAGEMENT.
The Venezuelan Consuls advices from
the government at Caracas also contain
the details of an important and bloody
battle that took place August 10th near
Villa de Cura, in which 1900 are said TO
have been killed or wounded.
General lie Mendoza was at villa de Cura
with a large force. General Vollenilla had
concentrated 1000 men some distance from
him. General Mendoza is considered the
brayest and ablest of Venezuelan generals.
He planned to lead the reyolutlonists
under Vallenlla INTO an ambush and de-
strov them. For this purpose he sent 500
men, under command of General Zolaogo,
to march upon the rebels, with ~
structions TO apparently offer the enemy
battle. When they commenced to night the
government troops were TO slowly retreat
and draw the enemy on until the main army
appeared, when general onslaught was TO
be made and the revolutionary army de-
stroyed. ZolaOgo drew near 10 the force
of reyOlutIonists and was attacked by
them. Their fire told with great effect,
and the government General fell dead.
Without a leader, his troops forgot their
instructions, and, enraged at the death OF
their commander, returned the nre
Of tho enemy, and q hot bat
tie was waged. Eight hundred men
found themselves opposed TO 2'OOO, out
thev fought on desperately. The revolu-
tionists had several field-pieces, and these
raked the men. The battle continued for
several hours with varying success. Tue
modern rifles and better training of the
government troops produced great loss on
the other side. The revolutionists almost
surrounded the 500 men. The lattor saw
after a time that the battle was gong
against them aud tried to cut their way
out. Both sides seemed 10 have become
crazed and fought furiously. The dead
lay on all sides. and the wounded were
trampled on as the conflict changed from
place TO place. Late in the afternoon the
remnants of the government forces sue
ceeded in getting through the lines OF the
enemy. They beat hasty retreat, and
the revolutionists were too much weak
ened to pursue them. IL was then dis
covered that 500 OF the 800 men hai bern
killed. The government estimated that
the revolutionists had lost 1000 men.
The Consul further stated General Ur-
danetta had gone TO Caracas to assume the
post OF Vice-Presldent. President Vile
gas is a very old man and rather slckly.
He is soon going to Europe for the benefit
of his health and General Urdanetta Will
act IN his absence.