The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-05-13
More War SineWS.
IStaff Cor. n. Y. World.

men ana afGiS OH Tue uOIllclu COdot
somewhere east of Cardenas.
1t is said that while the cruiser
Reina Mercedes waited for an insur-
gent expedition at Hole in the Wall
between Nassau and Abaco, the Ber'
muda took the outside course and
escaped She was pursued by a
Spanish man-of-war, but was too tast
to be caught.
The Spanish commanders seem to
realize the danger of having TO face
machine guns handled by trained
American artillerymen.
There is absolutely no trustworthy
information about the whereabouts OF
the Bermuda. All the statements
about her landing are mere guesses.
The battle in the mountains at
Cascaraiicara was really Spanish
defeat. The royal troops behaved
with great gallantry, but were driven
back from the insurgent breastworks
with great losses. The intelligence
Of Gen. lnclan saved the columns
from destruction.
In spite of the Spanish reports |
know Gen. Maceo was not present
At the time of the battle the rebel
genera! was six miles west of Gas.
caraiicara waiting for an attack from
the forces lying in front of the
trocha.
Gen. Inctan's attack was met by
about l 800 insurgents under COM
mand cf Quintin Bandera and other
minor leaders.
The Spanish force was taken by
steamer to Honda bay and marched
against the patriot stronghold in the
hills. Another column, under Gen.
Berna, advanced by separate route,
with orders TO make a Simultaneous
assault, bat Gen. Weyler hadn't cal
oulated the difficulty of the line Of
march, and Gen Bernal failed to ar
rive on time.
A Spanish soldier present at the
fight says Ipclan's troops charged a
high mill defended by two lines of
breastworks composed of heavy tim
bers buttressed with earth and rocks.
One line was at the foot af the bill
and the other near the top
In order to approach the rebel de-
fenses the Spanish troops were com
PEELED to enter narrow valley IN
clan opened the battle by heavy
artillery fire directed against the
lover breastworks, and followed with
an advance Of the infantry.
fire insurgents replied with in
iantry fye from both upper and lower
works. and soon developed strong
cross fire on the TANKS of the Spanish
columns The fighting was desper-
ate, and the royal troops actually
succeeded iii entering the first breast
works, but were unable to maintain
4heir position and rapidly retreated
to Honda bay, the rear guard fight
ing with splendid courage to save
the whole column from demoraIiza-
tion.
The Spanish losses are heavy, but
the government will not give list OF
the dead Itis said thai nearly 30
died from wounds at Honda bay, but
the dead lefs on the field were no:
counted. Sixteen wounded officers
have been brought to Habana.
The military censor has not allowed
a word Of this to be 'elegraphed from
the capital. SO the battle was de-
scribed as glorious victory.
Gen. Weyler has had stormy
scene with Gen. Dernal, who claims
that the work cut ont for his column
was impossible. He has resigned
his command aud will return to
Spain.
Gen. Weyler insists that the rebel
works at Cascarajicara must be taken
at any cost, aud fresh troops have
been sent to Honda bay. The cap.
tain general is beginning to appre'
ciate the fact that his Wanted trocha
is bringing his military reputation
into ridicule. Gen Maceo ignores
it, and refuses to attack it for the
simple reason that he desires to re-
main in Pinar del Rio and control the
province.
Gen. Weyler is desperate, and in
sists that Gen. Maceo must attack
the trocha whether be wants to or
not. Otherwise what is the use OF
having trocha at all
Gen Maceo intends to remain in
the hills 80 that when the rains come
the Spanish in the low country viii!
be washed out. His position is de-
Tended on all sides by well built
breastworks.
The military situation in the island
is this: Maceo commands in the
-.o.+ Norc;o ;r the cast and Gomez