The San Francisco call., 1895-10-16
GREAT LOSS SUSTAINED.
OF THE TROOPS SENT AGAINST
NATIVES ONE THOUSAND
WERE KILLED.
ON THE MOUNTAIN OF MoG0TE
THAT HISTORIC PLACE AGAIN THE
SCENE OF FIGHTING AND GREAT
BLOODSHED.

BOSTON. Mass, Oct. ia dispatch to
morning paper brings intelligence of two
big battles which were fought recently be-
tween the insurgents and Spaniards in
Cuba. The battle described was fought at
Las Varas on September %. 1t lasted
from o'clock in the morning until noon.
Before daybreak scouts brought in a re-
port that a Spanish column, number
ing 1000 men, was advancing toward
Manacas Jobosi. The insurgent scouts
had ambushed the vanguard. con-
sisting of about 100 men, and their
shots had been returned by the regular
troops. The scouts then fell back toward
Balla de Sijago. where more shots were ex-
changed. The order for an attack was at
once given by General Roloff, who was &C
companied by his personal force of 500
men. Second Lieutenant Jamines, for
merly member of the Twelfth Regiment,
n. G. S. n. Y, with thirty infantry SOL
diers, formed an ambush in the Monacus
woods, through which the Spanish soldiers
must pass. On their arrival in
the woods hot fire was opened
on them. One hundred and twenty
four men were lost by the Spanish forces,
killed and wounded. The Cubans lost six
killed and twenty-seven wounded. Among
the wounded was General Seralin Sanchez,
who received a bullet in the arm. Three
other Cuban officers were also wounded,
one mortally. Among the Spanish
wounded was colonel, who was carried
off by his men.
The second dispatch says: An impor-
tant engagement on October near Gibara
| was also reported by letter to the Cuban
Junta by Second Lieutenant William G.
Clapp, an American volunteer from Flor
ida, serving under Brigadier Miro in the
Holquin district. Two hundred and fifty
prisoners were taken by the Cubans and
there were over 400 bodies along the line
of retreat. Desertions made the Spanish
loss 1000 men. The Cubans lost 100 killed
and $50 wounded.
SANTIAGO DE CUBA, CUBA, Oct 8,
via Key West, Fla, Oct. 15.-The famous
Mountain of Mogote, one of the highest of
this district, was the scene of q heavy
battle on the I'd inst, and one more vic
tory for the insurgents. The Mogote is
forty-fve miles northeast of this city and
a point where many battles were fought
during the ten years war. The rebels,
learning that the Spanish generals. Garcia
and Lineras, were on their way to that
place, placed themselves in good position
for the attack.
The combined Spanish column, $500
strong, opened the attack from their van
guard. Antonio Maceo, with 800 men,
returned the fire, and after severe battle
of five hours he defeated the Spaniards
who were obliged to retire, leaving five
chiefs and officers killed, ten officers
wounded and $50 soldiers killed and
wounded.
The rebels are really fighting like heroes
as they begin to be short of ammunition.
have made splendid camps in Sabena Mir
anda, Mogote and La Grande Piedra, the
second and last of these being natural
fortresses almost inaccessible.
Sabena Miranda is situated about
twelve miles from San Luis, the terminus
of the American Railroad. Mogote, as
said, is forty-ive miles northeast of San
tiago, and La Grande Piedra six miles from
the American Mining Company, Jurugua,
situated on the south coast of Cuba.
The rebels have isolated the towns of
San Luis Paloma and Salina, situated
twenty-four and thirty miles respectively
from Santiago, by setting fire
to bridge between the towns.
A boat of the Spanish man-of-
war Nueva Espania with an officer and ten
sailors while passing near the Baconao
River, about thirty-fve miles from Santi-
ago, on the south coast of the island, was
fired on by band of insurgents who were
on the coast making salt. The boat re-
turned the fire while the man of-war fired
six bombshells to protect the landing of
the men. The rebels left the place and no
one was wounded on either side.
Yellow fever still continues very bad
here among the Spaniards. The enthusi-
asm is very great among the Cubans, and
many young men go 10 the field almost
daily. The women are more enthusiastic
than the men, if possible.