The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1896-02-08
Insurgents and Spanish Fight a
Hard Battle.
SHE OFFICIAL REPORT SENT IN
claims Made That the Revolutionary
hicf was Defeated, but He
Moves on havana.

Havana, Feb. "A report has been
roceived that an important engage
ment has taken place near the city Of
pinar del Rio between the Spanish un
der General Luque and the insurgents
under Maceo. The loss of the insurgents
10 reported to be 62 killed and over 200
wounded. The loss on the Spanish side
Ia not stated beyond the fact that Gen
eral Luque was wounded.
report received from the province |
of Santiago de Cuba says that the col
umn under command Of Colonel Teje-
da. numbering 800 men, had a fight at
Oio Cinada Cauto AbajO with the bands
Of Jose Maceo, Roune and Bourreo.
Their position and camp were taken
and they were forced to retreat, leav-
ing II killed, with arms and a guam
tity of ammunition.
The continued activity of the insur
gents all over the island is indicated
by the large number Of constantly ar
irving refugees, whole families MAX
Ing for the towns to escape the violence
of the insurgents. It is alleged that
wandering bands are burning indis-
criminately and killing almost anyone
they lay hands on.
THE FIGHT WITH MACEO.
A detailed official report has been re-
ceived tonight of the engagement be-
tween General Luque and the forces of
Antonio Maceo, which corroborates the
first account as to the number Of in
surgents killed-namely, 62. The battle
was fiercely contested and the advant-
age is claimed to be all on the side of
the Spanish. But it is significant that
Maceo's forces, instead Of being turned
back to the westward, proceeded on
their way toward Havana province
after the battle.
General Luque, commanding the
Spaniards, met the enemy at o'clock
p. m. on Monday. The attack was
made upon the insurgents in the little
town of Paso Real. The insurgents held
their position for time, having the
vantage ground from tops Of houses
and walls, but seeing retreat cut Off,
made run toward the western limits
OF the village. Here they made STAND
and volley from the rifles of the Span
lsh troops caused them to waver. The
Spanish cavalry then made vigorous
charge, broke the line Of the insurgents
and put them to flight, 10 of them be-
Ing killed with sabers. They were pur'
sued to the limits Of the village, where
the pursuers were met by the insurgent
cavalry, numbering 1000 and the pur'
suit checked. The retreat Of insurgen1
Infantry was thus covered until the
spanish infantry came up. Meanwhile
the Cubans had worked their way into
Gale Real, where they made another
Rvoo
and the village was in the possession O.
the Spaniards. The insurgents tnef
formed for defense again about three
Nlometers distant from the village ane
waited attack.
General Luque made another attacl
o upon the enemy, firing at distance
ooo yards. The insurgent cavalry OH
not await the near approach OF IN
epanlards, but dashed down the de
envlty out of the palm grove and cnarg
GU iull upon the Spanish formation Will
wnat the official report terms a savag
valor. These intrepid horsemen threV
themselves upon the points of the payo
.els OF the Spanish. The Spanish IN
,ahtry repulsed the charge with tn
oayonet. They then in turn made
oayonet charge. The insurgent CAVIAR
,,eueated, but only to form a secon
ane Tor another charge. Their artiller
tpehed upon the insurgents at dis
saice OF only $50 yards. This last charg
w., was also repulsed, many insurgents be
Ing wounded with bayonets, and tn
Insurgents thereon retired. The troop
we're with difficulty restrained fro1
st n the insurgents, being In
osa ee OF enthusiasm, according to tn
~ ciai report, until night put sto