Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-12-19
BIG FIGHT IS NEAR
That Oec:sive Battle in Cuba
Seems Approaching.
TROOPS MOVING TO THE FRONT.


Distance Of the Forces Of Gomez and
Msceo-Report That the Latter May
Have = Fire I'm the Rear - Story o( .
Fight IN Which Less Than 1000 Span-
iards Beat 5000 Rebels.
HAVANA, Dec. 19-Late last evening 1t
was stated that the insurgent forces under
Gomez and Maceo were in . critical situa-
ton in their advance upon the province Of
Matanzas, and that they were requesting
the other insurgent leaders to send them
assistance. The insurgent army il now
ON the borders Of the provinces Of Matan-
zas and Santa Clara It numbers about
5000 men, and is accompanied by about
100 mules loaded with ammunition and
dynamite. The insurgents also have two
mountain guns with them. A. force Of
l.SO insurgents under Zayas and Limo
Perez has started to reinforce the Gomez
Maceo army. The report that Gomez had
his horse shot under him at the battle Of
Amptalie Is confirmed. The insurgents
admit having lost 376 men in that engage.
ment
That Decisive Battle Coming in Sight.
General Luque has defeated, between
ROdas and San Marios, the insurgents un-
der CabrecO with heavy loss General
Campos was at Colon ON his way to Ma
tanzas. General Navarro, with reinforce
ments from Santa Clara, has arrived at
Colon. General Ardecoa and Colonel Ior
PEE Haro are on their way at the head q
detachments Of troops to join General
Navaero at Colon. Other detachments Of
troops are being posted at different str ate.
gic points long the border Of the prov
ince Of Matanzas and the province Of
Santa Clara, where 1t 10 expected deci.
sive engagement will be fought. The in
surgents after entering the province Of
Matanzas, will have to meet q strong force
Of Spanish troops, who will ON that mar
row part Of the island attempt to stop
their advance.
May Get Between Two Fires.
Besides. it il believed, other Spanish
troops will follow up the insurgents and
the latter may be caught between the two
fires. According to official announcements
there have been further cases of outrag-
ing Of women and girls in the province Of
Matanzas, and the civil guards are said
to have captured four Of the criminals,
who belong to O band Of Insurgents.
Seven Hours oG Fighting Reportsd.
The combined columns of troops com.
manded by General Canellas and Colonel
Bacqueri, amounting, to about $50 men in
each column, and Consisting Of the battal-
ions of Simancas and Luchana, in addi-
tion 70 detachment Of guerrillas and
civil guards and some artillery, have
fought and routed successfully at Palma
rito, Ramon, Taguns and Tortina, the in.
surgent forces commanded by Jose Maceo,
Boni and Periquito Perez. amounting to
5000 we'll armed men, thoroughly supplied
with ammunition. The fighting is said
to have lasted seven hours, and the Span
ish forces are said to have captured insur.
gent positions that were believed to be i'm
pregnable.
1nsurgenfs Entirely Routed.
The Spanish artillery did very good
work during the battle, and although the
insurgents made strong resistance. intend
ing to penetrate into the zone of Guantan-
amo. they were defeated in their object
and entirely routed. leaving ON the field
fOrty-six dead and retiring with 200 more
Of their killed and wounded. On the side
OF the troops Captain Juan Garcia, Lieu
tenants Bernallis and Fernrndo Acevedo,
DIR. Poluis and Veterinary Surgeon Cas-
tilla were wounded Seventeen privates
were killed and ffty. three were wounded.