The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-04-29
SPANISH BADLY BEATEN.
Colonel Debos's Battalion Meets Ma
Geo and is Defeated.
A GUNBOAT TO THE RESCUE.

Scheme to Force An Engagement With
the Insurgents Turns Out Dlsastrously
for the Kings Troops---EncircIed by
the Rebels---Cannon and an Orderly
Retreat Saved the Spanish Columns.
HAVANA, Cuba. April 15.-News has been
received here of battle near Lechuza be-
tween the Alfonso XIII. battalion. under
command of Colonel Debos, and the insur-
gents under Maceo. Colonel Debos reports
that his battalion. with other bodies OF
Spanish troous. left Mariel, in the province
of Pinar del Rio, for the purpose of giving
the enemy battle. They met the advance
guard of the insurgents, consisting OF 2OO
cavalry, who opened fire upon the Govern
ment column.
The Spaniards continued their march
toward Lechuza, although opposed Mt every
step, and every elevation was occupied oy
them at the cost of fight. Upon arriving
in the neighborhood OF Lechuza they found
the insurgents gathered In strong force, ana
the patriots made an attempt to surround
the Spanish column.
The Spanish troops fought with great des-
peration against heavy odds, says Debos.
but were defeated with losses OF many Killed
and wounded. Dlvining the intention OF the
enemy to encircle his column, Colonel Debos
ordered retreat. The Spanish column re-
tired tc the San Claudio estate on the nortn
coast, where the troops fortified themselves,
awaiting the arrival Of other Government
columns.
General Inclan arrived with his column
very opportunely. and the troops under
Colonel Debos were also protected by the
gunboat Alerta, which kept the enemy ar bay.
Colonel Debos estimates that the force OF the
Insurgents who charged upon his command
numbered 5000 men. The official report says
that the losses of the enemy must have Deen
very great, as many men were seen to fall
before the fire ofthe Spanish troops.
The Government column. according to the
official report. lost four men killed and one
officer and thirteen soldiers wounded; but
the fact is that the Government losses were
very heavy, the details being withheld by
the authorities.
A civilian who volunteered to carry the
news of the predicament Of the Government
column to the nearest fort rap the gauntlet
of the insurgent fire, and was compelled to
Jump into the water twice to save himself.
General IncIan reported that upon his
arrival at Colonel Debos's camp he COM
pelleQ MaCeO 10 retredt llOHl Sdu Cl'tuuiO'
Further details of the engagement show
that theSpanish column occupied two hours
In advancing from Mariel to the point where
it met the main body Of insurgents. The re-
treat to the San Claudio estate, which Is
some distance west of Mariel, occupied seven
hours On their retreat the troops were ex-
posed to constant fire from the insurgents
In the rear an l were frequently compelled to
form squares to resist the charges OF the
enemy. 1t was necessary to use cannon to
open way for the retreat OF the vanguard:
The wounded Spaniards were embarked
upon a schooner under the fire Of the A!erta.
According to the military authorities here.
Colonel Sanchez Echevarria. who had re-
ceived orders to act in combination with
Colonel Debos and General Inclau, tailed to
arrive in time to assist the other two bodies
of Spanish troops. The authorities say. that
had he arrived in time Maceo's force would
have been badly whipped. Colonel Eche-
varria has been relieved OF his command and
ordered to appear for trial before court
martial.