Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-16
FIGHTING AT BEJUCAL.
Skillful Arrangement of the Spanish
Lends to lnsurScnt Qefeat.

Skillful Arrangement of the Spanish
Leads to lnsurSent Defeat.
The cause of heavy artillery firing in
the direction of Bejucal, south of Havana,
Tuesday, has been ascertained. 1t now ap-
pears that Gen. flares, commanding a
strong force of Spanish troops, moved from
the vicinity of Mana&ua, Santiago, Rincon
ard Salud upon Bejucal upon learning that
Gomez's forces had attacked Bejucal, and
were repused by the garrison of that place
after five hours fighting.
Not satisfied with this repulse, the insur-
gents prepared to make a second attack
upon Bejucal. But by that time not only
had the garrison been strongly reinforced,
but the Spanish troops commanded by Gen.
Linares had taken up well-chosen and con-
ceaied positions in the vicinity. The insur-
gents were allowed to get within a short
distance of Bejucal and then the garrison
opened fire upon them. This was the signal
for the Spanish force to unmask its batter
les, and a heavy artillery and rifle fire was
poured into the insurgents ranks. The en-
envy was taken completely by surprise,
came to halt. feebly returned the fire of
the Spanish, then Haverd, broke and fled.
The insurgents are said to have been
commanded. by Gen. Maxine Gomez in per-
son, while Gen. Linares was in personal
command of the Spanish troops. The rout
of the insurgents is reported to have been
complete and their loss Is said to have
been heavy, the artillerymen keeping up
their fire long as the insurgents We're
within sight.
Further news of the movements of Gen.
Gomez was received last evening from San
Antonio de Los Banos, in q southwesterly
direction from Bejucal. Moving appar-
emily toward La Ceiba. Gomez burned the
railroad station at Seborucal, and when
last heard from was moving so rapidly
that ii was not thought likely the troops
under Cen Linares will be able to overtake
him.
Narrow Escape for Gomez.
1t became known yesterday in Havana
that Gen. Gomez had narrow escape
from being captured shortly after he eX-
ecuted his counterrarch in the province of
Pinar del Rio, and made once more for
borders Of the province of Havana. He
was in the neighborhood of Las Mangas,
at the head of a small escort of inSurgent
cavalrymen, when he suddenly came upon
a Spanish bvouac. Before the insurgent
commander-in-chief had recovered from
! his surprise he was almost surrounded by
Spanish infantrymen, with fixed bayonetS,
who pressed forward upon the general and
his companions. hoping to effect their cap
gency. Squirting his horse forward, he
emptied his revolver right and left, and
| them drawing his machete, he literally cut
| his way through and out of the ring OF
| Spanish soldiers, killing five men with his
| own hand and getting away with his escort
without scratch.
Advancing From the East.
| The Spanish authorities hope to be able
! to crush Gomez and Maceo before the sec
| ond insurgent army, now moving west
ward through the province of Santa Clara,
| can effect a junction with the insurgent
forces in this vicinity. When last heard
from, the second insurgent army, under
Gems. Jose Maceo, Rabi and others, was
| believed to be pushing on through the Sagua
| la Grande district of Santa Clara toward
| the border of MatanZas. Efforts are to be
| made to check it's progress at or about
| Colon. The eastern army of the insurgents
! is said to be carrying with 1t stores of arms
| cruits that Gomez and Antonio Maceo were
| compelled to leave behind owing to the lack
i a.