The sun., 1896-02-05
GOMEZ PENNED mi NOT HE.
TEE INsURGBNT GENERAL PLAYS
WITH THE SPANISH GORDON.

He cs. Leave the Province OF Havana, Re-
join Maceo, or, in Fact, Dispose His
Forces ss He Piesses-A Ludicrous
Charge OF Spanish Mounted lnfantry.
The following is translated from letter writ
ton by Cesar A. do salas OF Gen. Gomez's staff
10 friend in this city:
In CAMP NHAR BEJUCAL. PROVINCE OF
HAVANA, SUNDAY EVENING, Jan. 20. 1890.
my DEAR FRIEND: After joining Gen. Gomez
in Las Villas we started Immediately on the
westward march. accounts OF which must have
reached you through the daily papers. My staff
duties have made the finding of leisure time
almost an impossibility. There is so much to
tell that tho very thought Of 1t frightcns me
and yet suppose In New York you are botter
Informed Ia regard to the general progress OF
the war than are many OF the combatants.
But IL your information comes from Span
ish sources you would be as well of
without It. We get copies OF Havana
papers now, and their contents afford us
much amusement Ono issue will describe
the imprognablo wall of armed forces being
formed to the westward which will prevent us
Joining Macco. and then dwell at length on the
Spanish columns being masscd to the eastward,
thus preventing our escape to the mountains of
Las Villas. They seem to know all about what
we want to do and where we want to go. After
we have crossed these formidable tr0chas they
tell how beautifully we fell into the trap. and
with the usual Peninsula audacity. proclaim
that they have now got us just where they want
us All OF this causes us to smile
But Marin is not going to let US again Join
Maceo.' and from The way in which he is dis
trbuting troops along the line you might think
ho meant It. But we will cross It just the same
whenever Gen. Gomez gets ready. We have
thrown our advance guard against It at several
points just to give them con ildenco In its i'm
pregnability. wonder II they really think they
can extend a line Of defence thirty miles across
this island which will stop n charge of Cana.
gucy cavalry At day light this morning rode
with Gen. Gomez over to look ut n new fort
which they nre building three miles from
Bejucal. After glancing up and down the rail
road line for moment, the General remarked:
1t would be nifty not to cross that marvellous
track after all the pains thoy have taken on our
account; but hardly know what point TO select
for fear Of causing jealousy along the line
1--WE had great treat yesterday. 1t was an
opportunity to watch the operations of the body
OF mounted Spanish infantry. detach-
ment Of about 300 men, who. we think,
belonged to Gen. Galv!s's column, made
charge t?) on our north line of pick
cts Just were ready to 60 into camp.
Two hundred Of our cavalry were depioyed on
either flank OF the advancing enemy to prevent
their disturbing our evening meal, for we were
all very hungry. These foot soldiers astrido
animals with whose eccentr:cities they were
totally unacQuRtnted presented very funny
sight. Their effort to maintain line of adj
Slow was saop sqs oms se @yfe sys"se rhs @
urge their animals out of trOt while
others were were making u desperate effort to hold
back. The faces OF the riders wore expressions
which were ridiculously serious. In some cases
actually panied Arms legs: and i, %ccomtrsmen,s
which there was evident protest on the part
OF the horses, One officer could be heard calling
sa the fact that Mets hcr es
and swords were beating numerically against
the fanks of their horses.
"On they came In spite of themselves. Not a
soul seemed TO think OF drawing weapon; they
were TOO intent on the management. or rather
came SO Interested in the funny spectacle that
they could not open fire on the enemy for laugh
ihis same aceT s % called Ma MHH
There are the !nsurrectos. At this we all broke
were fired from reyolvers IN their direction.
The effect was simply marvellous Most OF the
ate tug wkeeiea their horses f in small cirases
sides. The animals rebelled at this saving
! Many were dismounted. while the main body
S9 s.ar.sd 1 tile widest retreat
yelled for their fleeing compani ions to wait.
Arms and ammunition were spilled and dropped
their disgusted horses. Four miles north was
| their unmoun,ed infantry. to whom. suppose
they told II tale of their first glorious cavalry
charge on the ranhS OF Come. Those of our
command who saw Il could be heard through
| the night laughing III their sleep.
"Bcjucal lies only about halfa league north
west Of us tonight. We can the lights Of
the town from where we are encamped. In that
! place occurred the most annoying incident SO
| far of our western campaign. la the suburbs.
and even in the centre of the city. we were
ce,ved by the people almost with open arms.
| Gen. Gomez and his staff received offers OF re-
| ;reshmen,s oa every hand. White flags and
| SMILES OF welcome were in every window as We
| marched through the place. Tho General gave
| strict Orcrs thar any vandalism or infringe
| mcnt by his men on the rights OF unarmcd citl-
| 2ens would meet with summary punishment
| AS we approached the southrast corner of the
| plaza f.ieut. Colas dismounted. and with sill
| yer coin in his hand approached an open door
way Oh our right and asked for a glass OF milk.
! A jug Cf milk WIS brought him. and several Of
over 10 drink. n vnllcy OF mt least thirty shots
| was poured into US, many coming from win
dows out of which hung the white flags Of
| peace.
| Lieut.. Colas fell dead with three balls in his
| back. Gen. Gomez was wild with anger. Burn
| every house from which n shot was fired was
| his command, and in less than n minute ut least
| twenty of them were going mp IN smoke. The
boys then helpcd themselves TO everyth hing they
| wanted without stopping any more to bother
| about change But no act of violence was com
| mitted against an individual not in arms. The
| Generals orders are imperative OH that score.
The reports from Gen. Aiaceo in Pinar del
| Rio are most encouraging. His command is not
only being rapidly Increased: but he has secured
| large quantities of ammunition. We may cross
at any hour on which ten. Gomez may deter
| mine. l will look for you with Calixto Garcia.
| Until then. adi0s. CESAR"