The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-15
SPANISH TROOPS DEFEATED.
The Insurgents Gain a Notable Vic
tory in Pinar del Rio.

The Insurgents Gain a Notable VIC
tory in Pinar del Rio.
Havana, April 14.-News received here
of a battle near Lechuza between the Al
phonse XIII battalion under command of
Col. Debos and insurgents under Maceo.
Col Debos reports that his battalion, in
combination with other bodies Of Spanish
troops. left Mariel, in the province of
Pinar del Rio, for the purpose of giving
the enemy battle. They met the ad-
vance guard of the insurgents, consisting
Of a force of 200 cavalry, who opened
fire upon the government column. The
Spaniards continued their march toward
Lechuza, although opposed at every step
and every elevation being occupied by
them at the cost of fight. Upon their
arrival in the vicinity Of Lechuza they
found the insurgents in strong force,
and the enemy made an attempt to sur
round the Spanish column. The Span
ish troops fought with great desperation
against heavy odds, but were defeated
with losses of many killed and wounded
Divining the intention of the enemy OF
encircling the column, retreat was
sounded Capt. Tort deserves great praise
for maintaining the formation Of the rear
guard, though attacked by greatly supe-
riOr force of the enemys infantry. The
Spanish column retired to San Claudio
estate on the north coast, where the
troops fortified themselves. awaiting the
arrival of other government columns.
Gen. lnclan arrived with his column
very Lopportunely- and the troops under
Col. Debos were also protected by the
gunboat Alerto, which kept the enemy at
bay.
Insurgents who ch2rScd l-2on his 1-luz-ss4
numbered 5000 men.
The official report says the losses OF
the enemy must have been very great, as
many men were seen to fall before the
fire of the Spanish troops The govern
ment column, according to the official
LII NH1 ~
Ger and thirteen soldiers wounded, but
the fact is that the government losses
were very heavy, details being withheld
by the authorities.
A civilian who volunteered to carry news
of the predicament of the government
column to the nearest fort ran a gauntlet
of the. rebel fire and was compelled to
self.
Gen. Inclan reports that upon his ar
rival at Col. Debos camp he compelled
Maceo to retreat from San Claudio.
Further details of the engagement that
have been made public show that the
Spanish column occupied two hours in
advancing from Mariel TO the point where
II met the main body of the insurgents.
The retreat to the San Claudio estate,
which is some distance west of Marel
occupied seven hours. On their retreat
the troops were exposed to the constant
Hre from the rebels in their rear, and
were frequently compelled to form
squares to resist the charges of the en-
=
to open a way for the retreat of the
vanguard.
The wounded Spaniards were embark ed
upon schooner under the fire of the
Alerta
According to the military authorities
here, Col. Sanchez Echevarria, who had
received orders to act in connection with
Col. Debos and Gen Inclan, failed to ar
rive 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. Col.
Echevarria has been relieved of his conn
mand and ordered to appear for trial be-
fore a court martial.
Madrid, April 1.-THE Havana CORE
spondent of the Impartial says Maceo' S
advance guard has been compelled by the
Spanish battalion Alfonso XIII to fall
back upon the main body of the insur-
sent army, which is at San Claudio.
The encounter took place near Lechuza.
The Spanish lost four killed and fourteen
wounded.