The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-01
Accounts Given by Spanish 0mcers Of
Recent engagements with Insur-
gents in santa Ciara Province.
ONE DISASTROUS BATTLE
IN WHICH GOMEZ LOST so KILLED
AND OVER 100 WOUNDED.
Another Encounter Bctwccn the
Forces of Gems. sanchez and oliver
that Cost the Patriots Many Men.

HAVANA, Nov. 30.-According to Official
reports from officers OF the Spanish army
in the field the insurgents. under command
OF General Gomez. have suffered serious
losses. The reports say that Generals Luque
and Oliver acting under instructions from
General Campos. left their quarters in Santa
Clara province, and moved on the insurg-
ents. General Luque commanded I.30o in-
fantrymen. one hundred cavalrymen and
had one piece or artillery. while General
oliver had ], 100 infantrymen. one hundred
cavalrymen and two pieces OF artillery.
Their intention was TO attack General Go
mez. who. at the head OF the Insurgents.
had been encamped since Nov. 13, at Jiqui-
mar. Gomez, being advised or their move
ments. retired to the province OF Puerto
Principe. General Oliver followed In his
path while the force under General I.uqus
executed flank movement. The force OF
General Luque succeeded in Joining the
troops OF General Oliver. at Iguara. after
having several unmportant skirmishes The
united army then proceeded towards Arroyo
Blanco TO receive Instructions from the gen.
erals at headquarters by the assistance OF
the helograph. The commanding officers
signaled to them and oruered them to pro-
ceed to Ciego Avila, where Gomez and the
insurgents had retreated, however. leaving
a detachment commanded by Col Bssilio
Guerra. Colonel Guerra, with eight hundred
cavalrymen, went TO Ramones to attract the
attention OF the government troops, while
General Gomez and the remainder OF the in
surgents entered the province OF Santa
Clara by another road. General Luque met
the insurgents at Ramonez. They only
maintained their ground during an hour OF
fighting. and then retreated In orderly
fashion, closely followed by General Luque-
They also encountered General Luque az
Sabana Dispensing. they left seventeen dead
on the field. among them. Pho Cervantes.
On the following day General Gomez con-
centrated his forces in the vicinity or De-
licias. The insurgent forces were attacked
simultaneously by Generals Luque and OIL
yer. Gomez. according to the official re-
ports, now has 1000 cavalry and 1900 In
fantrymen and one piece OF artillery. They
were drawn up in order. General Gomez
knowing that the government forces were
soon to commence attack on him. The
fire was opened by the Spanish artillery.
One thousand men under Guerra closely en-
gagged the attention OF the infantry, but
the deadly effects Of the Aauser rifles COM
PEELED a retreat. General Gomez then or
dered the whole cavalry TO attack the
enemy, but their horses became so tired
before they reached one-half the distance
that the insurgents returned disheartened.
and the cavalry attack on the Spaniards at
this point was ineffective. Gomez next or
dered five hundred men and a cannon 10
the top OF the hill. but the cannon burst at
the firing of the first shot, killing four men.
General Oliver rushed in at the head OF
six hundred OF the Spanish infantry. The
insurgents were somewhat disconnected and
retreated. The Spanish artillery kept up a
continuous fire. and the insurgents
compelled to abandon their position, finally
seeking safety in the woods. The in
surssnts left eighty killed. and. according
to Official advices. over one hundred were
wounded. OF the troops two Ieutenants, a
corporal and eight soldiers were killed. and
eighteen persons were wounded.
Immediately after this engagement Gen.
Oliver received word that General zerahn
Sanchez was at Lomes Guerrilleros with
with General Gomez. General Oliver at
once started in pursuit OF General SAN
chez. On the following morning an engage
ment took place. The troops. encouraged
by their previous victory were eager for
the fight. They occupied all Of the favor
able positions, hoping to keep the insur-
gents from effecting a retreat. The battle
lasted nine hours and ended by
charge OF bayonets ordered by General
Oliver The insurgents dispersed. leaving
many killed and wounded.
On the day after this engagement be-
tween General Oliver and San
chez the troops. while return
ing to Placetas met the Perico pis.-<band
OF insurgents, numbering fully five hum
dred. The troops charged With fixed bsyo-
nets and the insurgents fed. leaving six
teen killed. In this engagement the troops
suffered loss of * killed.