The herald., 1896-11-27
A Bloody Battle in the Rubi
Hills
GEN WEYLER WAS DEFEATED
With an Alleged Loss of Two Thousand
Killed
Maceo Decoyed the Spaniards Over a
Mine and Then Blew Men and
Horses Into the Air
Associated Press Special Wire

CHICAGO, Nov. 26.-The Tribune's
special from Jacksonville, Fla, says:
Col. Jose Reyes, aid-de-camp of Gen.
Maceo. wounded and en- route to New
York for medical treatment, and with
dispatches to the junta. passed through
here yesterday. He says the fighting
in the Rubi hills of Pinar del Rio was
the most sanguinary battle of the war.
He claims 1000 of Weyler's men were
killed in two days and twice as many
wounded.
Weyler went to the field with $4,000
men in three columns, one of Is, 900 under
himself, one of 10000 under General
Echague, third of 10 900 under General
Munoz
They found Maceo entrenched in a
crescent shaped range of hills. When
at the foot of the hills the paniards were
met with withering fire that cut gaps
in their ranks.
Maceos men shot from behind rocks
and trees, and gradually gave way be-
fore the Spaniards, who, encouraged by
what they thought to be a victory, pur-
sued them.
Suddenly a deafening explosion rent
the air and a scene followed somewhat
like the mine horror al Petersburg dur
ing the civil war Horses and men were
blown high in the air and fell to earth
dead and mangled. The dynamite mine
was touched off by John Linn. formerly
of this city, who is Maeeo's electrician.
Maceo then loosened his dynamite guns
prepared by Linn, and more havoc was
wrought.
In the mine explosion Col. Reyes says
Weyler lost 700 men killed and 500 more
in charging besides 1900 wounded. Next
day, knowing of the reserve force under
Weyler, retreated to a stronger posi-
ton. There he was attacked by the
column under Echague, who was round
ly thrashed and driven from the field,
losing 500 men killed, besides 1900
Wounde.
Next day Maceo retreated again,
manoeuvering all the while to entrap
Weyler into a field that had been hon
eycombed with dynamite Meanwhile,
however, Gen. Weyler, hearing that
there was danger of an uprising in Ha
vana, FASTENED back to that city.
AWFUL HARDSHIPS.
HAVANA, Nov. 26.-It transpires that
the engagement fought in the Rubi hills
between the Spanish forces under Cap
tain general Weyler and the insurgents
under Maceo the Spanish commander
| in-chief and staff were without prOvis
| ions for thirtysx hours, as the train
with supplies was detained. Gen. Wey-
| Ter urged the troops onward, regardless
of the absence of provisions.
Antonio Lopez Colma, formerly leader
| of the revolutionists in Matanzas, was
shot this afternoon, having remained
| twenty-four hours previously in a chap
ell, according to law.
Captain general Weyler has issued or
ders to the farmers in the provinces of
Pinar del Rio, Havana and Matanzas
to carry the crop of corn to the garrison
| ed towns, and the railroad officials have
| been instructed to provide the farmers
| with cars and mules with which to facil-
| itate the transportation. The corn will
| be sold to the soldiers of the Spasish
column and will be used for military
purposes.
SUPPLIES CAPTURED.
MADRID, Nov. 26-An official dis
! patch received from Havana says the
, Spanish gunboat Baracoa has captured
three boats laden with insurgents arms
and ammunition, in the Majari river,
! province of Santiago de Cuba