The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-19
ALMOST ANNIHILATED
BATTALION OF SPANISH SOLDIERS
PUNISHED BY CUBANS.
Most Desperate Battle of the RevOlu-
tiOn--472 Soldiers Killed in
Hand-tO-Hand Conflict.

GAINESVILLE, Fla, June 1S-F. r. An
defer, Of this city, an old friend of Major
Wann. Of the Sixth Cuban Volunteers, has
received another letter direct from the seat
of the Cuban rebellion. The letter is dated
"Ariquipa, Province of Camaguey, Cuba,
June H." and is as follows:
Our troops to-day surprised a battalion
of Spanish soldiers and almost completely
annihilated them. 1t seems that their ma
jor, hearing that wounded Cuban officer
was being nursed at this place, decided to
capture him. The Spanish major, taking
his command, reached the village this
morning before daybreak. After searching
all the houses and not finding the wounded
Cuban officer the major called some citizens
before him and commanded, on pain of
torture, to known his hiding place All
denied any knowledge of the Cuban.
The Spanish officer thereupon put all
the citizens TO torture. Meanwhile the
Cuban had escaped and made all possible
speed to us, reporting to Colonel Roderi-
guez. who was in command. We were imme-
diately ordered westward double time.
When we reached the village the scene
beggared description. The Spaniards had
fired the houses and were torturing and
killing on every side. Women did not escape.
Our men were wild with rage. After firing
one volley they became SO ferocious that
they charged and were soon engaged in a
hand-to-hand encounter. No quarter was
given, and those of the Spaniards who were
unhurt and had the strength fed IN utter
dismay. Dead and dying were lying in heaps
about the place. This was the most desper-
ate battle ! have ever been engaged in. Our
loss was 163 out Of force of five hundred
xyni Sraa icl1 laxr 4
count. including officers. We captured their
delay us in reaching Gomez, but we hope
to join him Tomorrow
News Through Spanish Sources.
HAVANA, June 1S-Maximo Gomez has
attacked Alta Gracia and burned the rail-
road station and many other houses The
garrison of the place, consisting of twenty
five soldiers, made heroic defense, losing
five killed and having seven wounded. The
sergeant who was in command of the de-
tachment has been promoted TO the rank
of lieutenant for his bravery.
Owing to unexpected events Captain
General Campos has reconsidered his decis-
ion and has proclaimed the province of
Puerto Principe to be under martial law
Colonel Cannellas has had several en-
gagements with the Insurgents at Filipenas
Costas, Passo and SonGo dos Bocas, routing
the insurgents, who had seven killed
among the dead being the insurgent colonel
Evaristo Lugo. The Spanish commander
also captured a quantity of arms and am
munition. The troops had one killed and
twelve wounded.
During the nights of June IL and IS the
outpost of the Spanish troops at Puerto
Principe was fired by the insurgents
One soldier was killed and one injured
The insurgents have attacked Christie
not far from Santiago de Cuba, and the
more important town of Dos Caminos.
only a little further away from Santiago
de Cuba. No details of the lighting have
been received In the districts of Vega
Alta and Vuelsas, province OF Santa Clara.
several bands of insurgents have appeared.
A detachment of three hundred troops.
under General Luque. started in pursuit
of the insurgents. The latter attacked
Vega Alta, but the arrival of the
troops the insurgents left III the direction
of the Navon coast. 1t is rumored that
they have gone 10 protect the landing
of an expedition which is awaited there.
The widow of Jose Marti and her son
have made a request for q passport in
order TO enable them to leave Cuba for
New York.