The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-03-21
of the Cuban Forces
in the Field.
IT is CLOSE TO 43, 900 MEN
Though the Insurgents Claim
They Have 10000.
THE sPANlARDS HAVE a TO
General Weyler Claims to BE Perfectly
Satisfied With the Progress
He Has Made in Con-
duct of the War
duct of the War

duct of the War
Havana. March 20.-There are four
insurgent camps in the district of
Cabanas, Pinar del Rio province, on
the North coast, near Las Animas
river, in the hills at La Fruit Sonba, at
Elrubio and at the plantation of La
Luis.
Insurgents recently attacked fort
at Cabanas, but the garrison made a
gallant defence, and two gun boats
were sent to the assistance of the sol
diers. The warships bombarded the
insurgents, who, in retreating, burned
the town to the ground.
The insurgents have also burned the
village of Nombrede-Dios and have de-
stroyed by fire several houses in the
village of Baia They have also burn
ed many houses at Viajaca and Rio del
Medic, where they also destroyed q
number of warehouses.
The village of San Cavetno, province
of Matanzas, has been burned by the
insurgents.
A prominent autonomist leader,
named Mais, is detained here by the
police on political charge.
The present strength of the insur-
gent army is close to $4,000 men.
Cubans themselves estimate the nnm-
Der OF men In the field as high as Co.,
900 men, but even if unarmed camp
followers. men in charge of the pro-
xfses f4.uS 4saAE ftslrS
were counted it is doubtful if that
number could be found actually in
service There are thousands of Cubans
who would willingly cast their lot
with the patriot army, but lack Of
arms and ammunition prevents.
The insurgent forces operate as a
rule in zones or districts. and are or
ganized on military lines. The coll
umns of Gomez. Maceo. Lacret. and
Banderas are. however, limited to no
one province. but pass from one to
another under direct orders of Gomez.
The Commander-in-C Chief is now in
Matanzas, and the others have rein
yaded Havana province. The follow
ing is a statement OF the strength and
location of the forces of the principal
Cuban leaders:
Mazimo Gomez, in Matanzas. -. 5000
Antonio Maceo, Miro, Zayas, and
others in Havana. na............ 5000
Serafin Sanchez, in Santa Clara. 1000
Jose Maceo, Rojas, Rodriguez, in
Santiago 1880
Lacret, iii Havana ........ 1900
Quintin Blanderas, in Havana. 1000
Masso, Alvarez, Castillo, Mestre,
Nunez, in Havana ..,+...+.... 1000
Delgado, Ber1nudez, Sanchez, and
others, in Pinar del Rio...... $500
Aguirre, Diaz, hernandez, Pala-
clos, in Havana .............. $500
Mayia Rodriguez, and others, in
Gamaguey 1900
Beyes, Benitez, Nara, Wilson,
Mendieta, in Santiago ....... 1000
Rafael Cardenos, in Matanzas. 500
Verona, Ruporto, Sanchez, and
others. in Pinar del Rio. o......, 800
Olivia and others, in Pinar del
Rio -. .........t.t.,..+... b0O
CIotilde Garcia, in Matanzas. 600
GARLIC, joaquin Garcia, and
others, Santiago ........... 600
Roloff, pancho. Perez, in Santa
Clara -. .......t........,.. oOu
Bego. sixto, Hoque, Palao, San
p0Gy. III SANTA 1ldla* 'SoP
Cortuna, Vidal, Juan Bravo, III
Santa Clara ................. 4OO
Juan Toledo. El Inglesito, in
Santa Clara ..............,... 4OO
Matagas. in Matanzas .......... 400
Pobau, Cebreco, Ruen, Planas,
in Santiago .......s.......... 40O
Borroto, Iencho, Sardinas, Id
nardo Garcia, in Matanzas. 400
Aulet, Morjen, Dimas, Martinez
sotelongo, in Matanzas .... 400
yillanneoa, Acosta, Aguiler, and
others, in Havana. .......... 300
Mnnoz, Chapotim, sacorro, Limo
Perez, in Santa Clara. ....... 200
Total -. .................4 42,o0o
The distribution according TO pro-
vinces is: Havana, 16,s00; Matanzas,
5000; Santa Clara, $500; Santiago,
$500; Pinar del Rio, 1900; Camaguey,
500; total, 42,8O0 In addition to the
above. there are innumerable local
bands of from fifteen to fifty, or even
one hundred. These do not form part
of the fighting force, and should not
be counted as part Of the army. Their
chief functions are To carry out the
orders of Gomez prohibiting the grind
ing of cane, the movement of troops
aud supplies by rail. the shipment of
provisions to cities, and suppressing
Of "plateados," who rob, burn, and
commit other crimes.
These small heads serve as recruit
ing agencies, and when they grow too
large for local operation they are at
tached to one of the army columns.
OF the army proper fully two-tlirds
are well mounted, and about half are
well armed. The others are armed
with shotguns, revolvers, or only with
the rnachetn Some Of Macan'S men