The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-25

Told by Wounded Cuban In-urgent With
"a Bullet in Him.


There arrived in Nrfolk yesterday from
Havana, Cuba, via Jacksonville, Fla.
and Atlanta, Ga. a young man named r..
NJ. bennett, who was interviewed by a
Landmark reporter, ana to whom he told
quite remarkable story. The yOu1g man
WAS accompanied by a Mr.. ja1c!a, and
was on his way 70 Baltimore, where he
will enter Johns Hopkins Hospital for
treatment of a wound he received in an
engagement with Spanish troops
Mr. bennett said that ne, his father and
brother were engaged In the tobacco busi-
ness in Florida previous TO the uprising
in Cuba. The brother was in the habit OF
going TO Havana frequently for the pur-
pose Of visiting Cuban young lady with
whom he had fallen desperately in love.
IL was on the occasion of one of these
visits that the young man asked for the
hand OF his sweetheart. Permission was
refused MIN to marry her unless he should
first Join the forces OF the insurgents.
This he did. and on July 1st In the battle
Of Barbaretta he was Killed.
Shortly after learning Of the death OF
his brother Mr. bennett sailed for Cuba
with the purpose OF Joining the insurgent
forces lie enlisted in the command OF
Captain Derambo as a private. IN sep
tember news came to Derambo. who was
trooDs were on their way 20 Barbara 10
attack the forces OF Maco. stationed there
IL was then that Mr. bennett accord
ing TO his own statement. did a daring
pieies OF work. Captain CarambO wished
"a man from his command to volunteer 10
carry the news Of the attack 10 Barbara.
Mr. bennett responded and the message
was entrusted 10 him for delivery. lie
disguised himself. went 10 the railroad
station and got Oil board the train carry
ing the troops whose coming he was TO
advise MacO OF. After riding severM
miles he left the train at "a wayside sta
ton. and, going 10 the house of friend
nearby. procured a horse. and by cutting
across country arrived safely i'm Barbara
with -he message ahead OF the troops.
For this act De was promoted 10 be SER
geant in his command.
on the Goth day of November. the day
OF the battle OF Barbara, Mr bennett re-
ceived the bullet wound FOR which he Us
now going 10 Baltimore 10 Dee treated.
ION that day" said Mr.. bennett, "a
company OF siXty-four men under Lieu
tenant Chinchill and myself. were pro-
ceding along the road when We were sud-
denly bounced upon from ambush by
company OF Spaniards. a hot fight en-
sued, In which / received the wound 7 am
now sufferig with The bullet from a
rifle lodged IN the small of my neck. just
over the left kidney. and rs there yet"
Feel here" said he The writer did
as requested, and the outline Of bullet
was plainly felt being only q short dis
lance beneath the surface.
Mr. bennett. who ia an intelligent
Young man about twenty-five years OF
age. talked freely Of the turbulent state
of affairs existing iu Cuba and gave an
account Of a dungeon into which he with
other prisoners of war. were kept for
month, their only food being bread ana
water Five OF the men ia this awful pit
died and the rest only escaped by dix
ginz their way out.
Mr.. bennett left last night on the Bay
Line steamer for Baltimore. he Will he
saws. return 10 Cuba as soon as he Is
able 70 do so.-N0rfolk Landmark.