The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-15
Cubans Were I'm an Intrenched Posi-
Caught the Enemy I'm n Defle.
THREW BOMBS AND SHELLS
INTO THE RANKS OF THE SOLDIERS
AND CAUSED A PANIC.
But, According to Official Accounts,
the Patriots Were Routed I'm the
End-NO Joy at Havana.

HAVANA, May 14.-Colonel Segeura, at the
head OF a column of Spanish troops, at Clego
Montera, between Santa Clara and Cienfue-
COS, has been engaged with force Of insur-
gent cavalry, said TO number 1000 men, I'M
der GARLIC and Zaya, forming the escort OF
Maxine Gomez. After two hours conflict
the insurgents retreated, leaving many
wounded behind them. Countrymen met oy
the troops assert that the insurgents, IN re-
treating, carried with them many dead and
wounded on their horses. On the govern
ment side one lieutenant and nineteen prl-
Yates were wounded. The troops pursued
the enemy, and another engagement took
place yesterday morning at Arroyo Blanca.
No details of this fight have as yet been re-
ceived. Captain General Weyler has congra-
tulated General Seguera and Colonel Frances
upon their activity in operating against the
insurgents, and has recommended them 10
the government for promotion.
Later.-Meager details have been received
of an attack made on the famous Platero
camp of insurgents by Col. Enrique Sc
guera's' column, which was admittedly Sc
we're for the Spaniards The official report.
however, places the loss of the troops at
only one lieutenant and four privates killed.
and one captain and twenty-seven privates
wounded, while the reported loss Of the in
surgents was fifty-nine killed left on the
field and estimated one hundred wounded
carried off. Colonel Seguera left Yaguajay
at the head of his column on May 8, and
encountered an insurgent ambush at Santa
Cruz. These retreated, however, after only
a slight skirmish. Arrived at Seibabo, Col.
Seguera perceived insurgent infantry going
towards the noted Platero camp. The troops
went in pursuit, proceeding cautiously how
ever, though only slight resistance was Of
fered to their advance. They went forward
until they came opposite lofty hills and
inaccessible heights. where the insurgents
had built stronghold, with intrenchments
and earthworks. Here a bloody engagement
occurred. The insurgents allowed the COZ
umn to advance until part had entered a
and baggage train being, however, still In
the rear. In moment the heights blazed
t M,sn WAS su Sueea down upon the heads
Of the troops a deadly shower OF
dynamite bombs and shells, which
exploded in the ranks of the Spaniards;
This sudden onslaught was unexpected and
threw the troops into a temporary panic. 1t
looked like rout and as though the insur-
gents would sweep everything before them;
The artillery was thrown into confusion and
was helpless and useless, and was Placed
hors du combat. The mules which were
dragging the pieces SHE'D at the noise and
fire of the explosives and fell into a ditch.
The artillerymen had to lift two of the can
non out of the ditch and into position by
main strength before they became available
for service at all. They were trained on
the rocks and loaded with shells. but there
was no enemy visible to fire on, the only
sign of them being heavy cloud which
hung over the rocks and showed where their
terrible attack had come from
The vanguard of the column also had to
face an attack from the line of the enemy
hid in intrenchments on the steep hill that
faced Them and to add to the damage and
confusion, an attack was very soon opened
on the left flank of the troops. The first
company of the Seamore battalion and the
cavalry were intrusted with the task of re-
Polling the flank attack. The engagement
and continued until 1 o'clock. The official
report announces that at the end of that
time the Spanish troops were in sole possess
sion of the field, the losses incurred being as
above stated.
The Supreme Court of War and Marine,
in the case of Lieutenant Galley, commander
of the guardboat Dos de Mayo, which was
captured by the insurgents at the Bay of
Asanadero, near Santiago de Cuba, in
October last, have revoked the decision of
the court-martial adopted at Havana on Oct.
20, and in addition have sentenced all the
members Of the court-martial who voted for
Gallego'S acquittal to one months arrest.
This sentence is also extended to the author
for the district.
The Dos de Mayo was in Asedero bay on
October last and sent a boats crew ashore
to go inland for water. These men were
captured by the insurgents, who notified
Lieutenant Gallego that If ne did not sur
render the Dos de Mayo the captives would
be shot. Lieutenant Gallego thereupon
turned over to the insurgents the arms and
He and his crew were then allowed to re-
turn to Santiago do Cuba with the guard
boat. The court-martial which tried him
voted four to three for MS acquittal.