The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1895-10-02
A HARD FOUGHT BATTLE.
ROUTED BY CUBANS.
Maceo Inficts a Singing Defeat on the
Spanish Troops.

News Of battle In which the Spanish were
defeated by the Cubans and lost 800 men was
received by President Palma. 1t came In a
letter written September IA by Pedro Rovira.
a Cuban private who deserted from the Span
ish ranks at Pera Lego, when Campos was
defeated. In later engagement Rovira was
captured by the Spanish, court-martialed and
sentenced 10 receive 400 lnshes and be shot
The sentence was carried out while Bovira
was shouting for Caban liberty. The Span
lards were greatly incensed against him as
had killed three OF their men before being
captured. The letter and the news OF the
patriots death came together
Roviras letter describes hard fought bat-
tie, saying a man who was sick IN the hospi-
tai Mt Casimbra escaped to Guantnnin in
August and told the Spnniards that Gen. jose
Maceo was siok in the Casimbra hospital and
had only 80 men with him. August 80 Maceo
heard that !, 200 men. one battalion corps and
SQUADRON Of cavalry with two pieces OF nr.
tillery, were marching on him, Maceo
mounted his horse and from the mountain
of Santa Maria viewed the enemies position.
He ordered eight OF his men TO keep up firing
from ambush to deceive the Spanish, and
meanwhile ho sent word to his BROTHER Gen.
Antonio Maceo.
on August 81 the spnnlards captured tho
town OF Francis, nnd Gen. Josie Mnceo for
~
the hospital. llo wished to guard the right
side OF the road leaning to Baccalano, which
skirted tho hospital The Spanish were slow
~ closing in on him when Gen. Cebreco aud
q Cuban column came to his relief and made
the enemy evacuate thoir positioa.
A hot engagement followed In which the
Spanish reganed their position, but were un.
able TO hold 1t long as Gen. Antonio Maceo
suddenly appeared on the scene, and with
Cebreco and Col Mieuninlt, succeeded In
wrestling 1t from Canala and Garrido. who
commanded the Spanish. The Spanish now
made n brilliant charge. and for the third
time managed to secure the position, but in
the engagement the Spanish captain of mr.
tillery was mortally wounded and they slow
ly Withdrew, the Cuhans fighting them back.
The battle lasted from 6 o'clock q. IN. TO l
O'Clock y. m. 1t was resumed In the early
afternoon.
"Gen. Antonio Maceo cleverly turned the
Spanish column and gained the pass of Bac-
cano. He then massed his troops before the
Spanish vanguard, while Gen. Josie Maceo
got his men In the rear
"a very desperate encounter ensued. 1t
ragged until the dawn Of tho next day, Sept.
/. The Spanish then commenced to retreat
until they reached the lgubananabano field
where they we're able to use their cavalry,
which was impossible on the mountains OF
Santa Marcia.
"They did not gain any advantage however,
and after burning their provisions they con-
tinued TO retreat to Mountanin, which place
they entered In scattered groups"
The Cubans have no cavalry, but made use
OF dynamite bombs, which the letter states,
struck terror to the enemy
In the engagement the Cuban's loss was 40
men wounded and killed. The Spanish lost
over 800 men, 40 horses, and Il large store OF
provisions and munitions Of war. The
Cubans are still capturing siragglers and
| picking up arms near Monntanin.