The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-12-25

srnsses and low brushwood to interfere
With every movement, and are not thought
likely to be able to catch up with the
quick moving Cubans. Gomez by beau.
tifully executed countermarch, has turned
the flank of the famed Spanish
commander and today, with his
army. made his appearance
close to the town of Jovollano, well to the
rear of Colon, and commanding the rail-
roads of Cardenas, Matanzas and Havana.
The movement of the insurgents was an
example of splendid generalship, accom-
plished under the most trying circum-
stances and in the face of the most over
wheIming numbers of Spanish troops
commanded by the best officers of Spain.
The insurgents burned the railroad station
of Ouintina. east of Jovoilano, and de-
stroyed the railroads behind them to pre-
vent the advance of the Spaniards upon
their rear. The last news received was
town only few miles from Matanzas, and
were pushing for the railroad which con-
meets Matanzas with Havana.
1t seems there is nothing likely to pre-
vent them from besieging Havana within
the next few days, for the spanish COM
manders appear to have clearly lost their
heads and unless Campos has accom-
plished miracle of daring strategy in al
lowing Gomez and his friends to SLIP by in
order that the Spanish troops may be hur-
ried after them, and by a sortie from TIA
vana, catch them between two fires. the
The odds against the Spaniards being
able to press on after the triumphant in
surgent army are very heavy.
Not only have the insurgents destroyed
the railroads behind them, thus burning
their ships as it were, but they have in
many other ways done everything possible
to impede the progress of the Spanish
army, and the arrival of Gomez before Ha-
vana will be shortly announced. AS 1t is,
the insurgent cavalry has been sighted
within fifty miles of Havana, to the west
ward of Matanzas, and had apparently
taken possession of the railroad lines join
ing that seaport to this city.
Railroad and mail communication be-
tween Jovallanos, Colon and Matanzas Is
interrupted, and it is believed to be only
question of a few hours when the tele.
graphic communication with Matanzas and
the west will be cut. General Campos has
ordered the Spanish commanders nearest
to the insurgents, General Valdez and Gem
eral Navarro, to do everything possible to
attack the insurgents under any and all
circums ances, but it is not thought likely
that these generals will be able to do what
the captain-general has been unable to do.
A later dispatch says that Captain.
General Campos has managed to get out of
Colon and that he has placed himself at the
head of the Spanish forces at Limonar,
twenty miles east of Matanzas, where he
expects to be able to strike DIT the insur-
gents. Thousands of people from all parts
of the country around MataDzas are flock
ing in terror into that city, according to the
official dispatches; but other reports say
that they are in the main Offering to join
the insurgents, who are being plentifuily
supplied with provisions by the inhabit-
ants of all the towns along the route they
follow. The little town of Jacan, Santo
n l-.o IL Is
four soldiers under captain and two
lieutenants of the Spanish army were at
tackled and for the most part cut to pieces
by the insurgents, ia almost deserted.
HAVANA, Dec. 24.-Christmas eve is
ushered in with something like dismay in
this city and there is apprehension hourly
gaining ground that Havana will be be-
day is over. The advance of the insur.
gents seemed at latest advices to be unin-
1errupted, thus contradcting a report sent
out during the afternoon that they had
been turned back in pitched battle by
Campos himself and were striving to make
their way back into Santa Clara province.
This rumor stated in great detail that
General Campos in person, at the head of
the Spanish forces, had succeeded in COM
ing face to face with Gomez and his forces
at the plantation of Cotizo, which was in
flames. This plantation is situated twelve
miles from Cardenas and twenty-one miles
from Nj itanzas. The insur cents, it was
SAID. were hemmed in ana were compelled
TO fight. Desperate engagements were re-
ported. the combatants being surrounded
by the flames of the burning plantation.
The insurgents, it was said, were dispersed,
leaving 700 dead and wounded on the field.
The troops loss was, it was reported, COM
paratvely Insignificant, be ny only four
teen, and Gen. aldez and Gen. Luque had
already started to Sabanil'a del lncomo-
dadum, supported by several other col
umns, in pursuit of the flying insurgents,
who were supposed to be making their way
back to Santa Clara province at their best
speed.
This report had the eff ct o. generally
restoring confidence here, ana it was be.
lieved for a time, as it indicated that
Gomez had given up his campaign for lack
of support in Matanzas.
The details of this engagement had
hardly been disseminated through the
city, however, before there came further
report that the INSURGENTS were marching
toward Guanabana and that Captain
General Campos had FASTENED TO that
point to oppose the advance, thus once
more moving his headquarters westward
and nearer Havana, as he has had to do
so O ten within the last few days. Guiana
bana is only about five miles out of Matan-
sas and ten or fifteen miles west of Col
iseo plantation, where General Campos
was said to have won his important victory
over Gomez in person.
1t became evident that the reports of
General CaLnpos' successful stand and
rout of the insurgents was either I'M
founded or that the force he had met was
merely wing of the insurgent army, seut
to make a diversion, while the main col
umns pushed on 10 the westward.
= All is confusion here, and the author-
ties are apparently all at sea as to what
will be the next step of the insurgents,
whether Matanzas will be besieged or
whether the advance on that point is
merely feint to hold the Span fish forces
there while the insurgents make way
once more in the west of Havana, which is
less than fifty miles from Matanzas. The
near approach of the insurgents to Matan-
gas has in fact had the effect of concen-
trating all the available Spanish forces at
that town.
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