The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-07-09

HAVANA, July s.-A severe engage
ment has taken place between the
Spanish troops under the command of
Major Sanchez and General Rabi, the
insurgent commander, at the head Of
large force. Two hundred and eighty of
the latter were killed. 1t appears shat
Major Sanchez received information to
the effect that force OF 1900 insur-
gents, under the command of RAbi had
occupied strong positions near Mama
Milo, province OF Santiago de Cuba
Consequently the major sent messen-
ger TO his superior officer, Colonel Azuar,
proposing to the colonel that they should
join their forces and make an attack
upon the Insurgents.
The messenger, however, fell into the
hands OF the insurgents, who hanged
him and sent word to Major Sanchez in
the name of Colonel Azusr to make an
attack upon the insurgent position from
point which compelled the troops to
approach the insurgents through mar
row thoroughfsre.
Major Sanchez, recognizing the diff.
Guilty Of the movement, no was appar-
emily directed by his colonel to execute,
sent forward two advance pickets or
twelve and thirty men respectively,
under the command Of two sergeants,
with instructions TO push forward to the
right and to the left of the narrow
tharouRhfare referred to and to be care.
full to take up advantageous positions
from which they could protect the ad-
vance of the main body of the troops
under Sanchez's command.
The sergeants cleverly followed out
the instructions given them. Major
SANCHEZ then advanced carefully upon
the insurgent position, protecting his
men by every inequality OF the ground.
But, as he expected, the troops were no
sooner inside the defile than tho insure
gents attacked them In force. The
first charge Of the insurgents was made
with enthusiasm, and their machets
played havoc among the troops who
were hemmed In and unable to deploy
on account OF the narrow road thew had
to follow.
But ii was here that the two advance
pickets under the two sergeants came
10 the rescue. From their elevated
position they kept up continuous and
well directed fire upon the insurgents
within range, and eventually, assisted
by charge OF the Spanish troops, COM
PEELED them to retreat outside the de-
file. The troops pushed forward after
them, and once in the open they
charged the insurgents with great
courage. and compelled them to retreat
hastily.
The insurgents then sought refuge In
the strong position they had previously
left in order to attack the troops, bus
the soldiers carried this position and
put the enemy to flight, with the loss
upon the fed OF $50 killed. The troops
lost fifty men in killed and wounded.
1t was at first reported that the insur-
gents were commanded by General
Msceo. but it was subsequently, learned
that they were under the command of
Rabi alone, and that Naceo took no
part In the engagement.
n another fight reported from We
guita, the insurgents under Rabi lost
five killed and many wounded, while on
the side OF the troops, one officer and
four soldiers were wounded. News of
another defeat of the insurgents reached
here from Beliemotas in the province
OF Santa Clara. Bellemotas was Rarri-
soned by an officer and fifty soldiers
who occupied fortified barrack build,
ing The place WAS attacked by the In.
surgents under Castillo.
NO OhSnJ UullG d ldtB6 uF6 TO WlnQS
ward of the barracks and the flames
communicated to that building. The
insurgent leader then sent word to the
officer In command of the garrison, the
soldiers forming part Of the union bat
talon, notifying him to surrender un-
der pain OF being burned alive with his
men. The officer sent them word in re.
ply that he preferred to die fighting or
De Durnad TO death than to surrender to
the insurgents.
In the meanwhile some OF the soldi.
ers succeeded in extinguishinq the
flames which threatened to consume
the barracks and while they were doing
30 the remainder Of the garrison kept
up continuous fire from their rifles on
the insurgents. The latter replied from
every point but the garrison field ont
gallantly for two hours.
The news OF the insurgents attack
had, in the meantime, been commupi-
Gated to detachment Of Spanish
soldiers In the neighborhood, and they
pushed forward, and, brisk fire being
opened upon the insurgents, the latter
immediately retired, leaving many dead
snd wounded ON the field. On the side
OF the troops only three were killed and
four were wounded. Captain General
MARTINEZ de Campos has left Placetas
for Santa Espiritus. Twenty nine per-
sons have been sent to the island of
Pinos for participating in political con-
spiracies.
Argument Begun in the Irvine Case