The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-16
Surprised While Attacking a Town
and Their Ranks Trimmed by shots
from Masked Batteries.
NARROW ESCAPE OF GOMEZ
FORCED TO CUT HIS WAY OUT OF A
RING OF THE ENEMY's TROOPS.
Object Of the Cuban Lenders Raid
Near Havana.-Provisions Becoming
Scarce mt the Capital City.

artillery firing heard yesterday in the direc-
tion of Bejucal south OF this city and about
halfway between Havana and Batabano.
remained a mystery until about noon to-
day. 1t now appears. from sem-official re-
ports. that General Linares. commanding a
strong force OF Spanish troops moved from
the vicinity of Mangua. Santiago. Rincon
and Salud upon Bejucal on learning that
Gomez's foces had attacked Bejucal and
were repulsed by the garrison OF that place
after five hours fighting. Not satisfied
with this repuise. the insurgents prepared
to make a second attack yesterday upon
Beiucal but by that time not only had the
garrison been strongly reinforced. but the
Spanish troops commanded by General Lin
ares had taken up well-chosen and con-
cealed positions ia the vicinity. The insurg-
ents were allowed to get within a short dis
tance OF Bejucai before the garrison opened
fire upon them. This was the signal for the
Spanish force to unmask it's batteries. and
heavy artillery and rife fire was poured
into the insurgent ranks. The enemy was
taken completely by surprise. came to a
hat, feebly returned the fire of the Span
iards, then wavered. broke and fed. The
insurgents are said TO have been command
ed by Gen. Maxine Gomez I'm person, while
General Linares was in personal command
OF the Spanish troops. The rout OF the in
surgents is reported 10 have been complete.
and their loss is said to have been heavy.
the artillery men keeping up their fire as
long as the insurgents were within sight
General Linares is reported to have started
in pursuit Of General Gomez with ell the
Spanish troops available I'm the neighbor-
hood OF Bejucal, but as the insurgents are
mainly mounted men and the Spanish troops
In that vicinity are nearly all infantry and
artillery there is not much prospect OF COM
ing up with the fleeing army.
GOMEZ HEWS HIS WAY OUT
1t became known to-day that General Co
mez had a narrow escape from being cap
tured shortly after he executed his counter
march in the province of Pinar del Rio
and made for the borders OF the province
Of Havana He was I'm the neighborhood OF
Las MangaS southwest OF Artemisa at the
head of a small escort of insureent cavalry
men, when he suddenly came upon a Spen-
ish bivouac. Before the insurgent COM
mander-in-chief had recovered from his sur
prise he was almost surrounded by Spanish
infantrymen with fixed bayonets, who
pressed forward on the general and his
companions. hoping 10 effect their capture.
But Gomez was equal TO the emergency.
Spurring his horse forward, he emptied his
revolver right and left. and then, drawing
his machete. he literally cut his way
through and out of the ring OF Spanish SOL
diers, killing five men with his own hand
and getting away with his escort without
a scratch.
1t Is said that the principal object OF Co
mez's attack on Bejucal and the other
places south OF this city is 10 create a d.
version under which his lieutenant. General
Antonio Maceo. may retire from the prov
ince of Pinar del Rio. But IL is claimed the
Spanish generals will be able TO pursue Ma
Geo and pay attention to Gomez at the same
time. They hope to be able 10 crush these
two insurgent commanders before the sec
ond insurgent army, now moving westward
through the province of Santa Clara, can
effect junction With the insurgent forces
in this vicinity. When last heard from the
second insurgent army. under General jose
Maceo, Rabi and others. believed % be
pushing on through the Sagua la Grande
district Of Santa Clara. towards the border
OF Matanzas- Efforts are 10 be made 60
check its progress at or about Colon. The
eastern army OF the insurgents Is said 20 be
carrying with II stores Of arms and ammu-
milton for the equipment OF recruits that
Gomez and Maceo were compelled to leave
behind. owing TO the lack OF arms
The damage done by the insurgents in the
described a
enormous They are said to have destroyed
all the railroad bridges and all the culverts
on the line OF railroad running from this
city through Guira de Aesena, Artemisa.
Candelaria, San Cristobal Paso Real and
Consolascion to the city OF Pfnar del Rio,
In addition TO sacking a number OF towns.
burning plantations. plundering houses and
doing other damage north and south OF the
railroad line.
MACEo IN PINAR DEL RIO.
General Maceo is supposed 20 have passed
through the district of San Diego de Sunez
and TO have moved towards the northern
coast in the direction OF Las Pozas, La Nh
lata. Rio Blanco and San Cayetano AT that
point he said TO have turned southwark
and to have passed through Consolidation
del Norte and Whales. His present where
abouts. according to present rumor is the
immediate vicinity of the town OF Pinar del
Rio. and he is said TO have the intention OF
making attack on IL. Pinar del Rio Is
strongly fortified. well garrisoned and pro
yisioned. and additional earthworks about
IL have recently been thrown up, I'm anfici-l
patton OF trouble with the insurgeI<-.. Ma
Geo. however, is said TO be under the m
considerable effect against Pinar del RIO.
This Is denied by military men here. who
are acquainted with the nature of the de-
Tense OF Pinar del Rio, and II II said that ne
will more likely pass around Pinar del Rio
to the westward and effect junction with
the ineurgent bands believed 10. have been
collected In the mountainous districts west
and southwest OF Pinar del RIO The latter
have for some time past been kept IN check
by the Spanish troops. but IL Is understood
the soldiers may be Withdrawn temp orsriy
in order TO reinforce the Spanish columns.
which will make an attempt TO prevent Ma
Geo and his forces from returning eastward
towards Havana 10 rejoin the insurgenr
forces under Gomez.
The air is full OF rumors regarding ne
ROTATIONS going on between the Captain
General and the insurgent leaders. but the
general opinion Is that even III they are
taking place there will be no result from
them.
II is reported that while Maceo was nov
ing along the northern coast Of Pinar del
RIO he received considerable additions TO
his supply OF arms and ammunition.
schooner loaded with arms. ETC.. is said 10
have awaited the insurgents at La Mulata.
have been received at various parts OF the
coast This Is denied by the Spanish ari-
thorit,es. however. who say that the coast
Is thoroughly patrolled by the vessels or
the Spanish navy.
Further news of the movements OF Gen
Gomez was received this evening from san
Antonio de los BanoS. 10 the westward Of
Salud and in a southwesteriy direction from
Bejucal. where he was repulsed yesterday.
Moving apparently toward Ia cecibk.
Gomez has burned the railroad station al
Seborucal. west OF San Antonio De los
Bano<. and when last heard from was NOV
Ing 30 rapidly that IL Is not thought likely J
the troops upder General Linares viii ~