The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-05
FIERCE CONTEST.
%Insurgent Forces Routed but March.
Ing Toward Habana.
mAcEo HOPEFUL OF SUCCESS.
War May Be Long but Free
dom VIII Result.

port has been received of the engagement
between General Luque and the forces of
Antonio Maceo, which corroborates the
first account already cabled from here as
TO the number OF insurgents killed.
namely, g.. The battle was flercely con-
tested, and the advantage is claimed to be
all on the side of the Spanish as a result.
But it Is significant that Maceo's forces,
instead OF being turned back TO the west
ward, proceeded on their way toward
Habana province after the battle.
The following points are gathered from
the official report of the engagement.
General Luque left the city of Pinar del
Rio ut Z o'clock on the morning Of Feb. 2
Sunday, intending TO march to Consola-
cion del Sur In search of an engagement
with the main force Of the insurgents.
who were known 10 be in that district.
General Luque had tho advantage of the
direction of "a skillful guide, who was ap-
parently posted as TO the whereabouts of
the insurgents and agreed TO lead them TO
the camp occupied by the insurgent lead
ers-Maceo, Miro, Zayas, Chileno and
Sotomayor.
AT s o'clock in the evening the Spanish
columns had arrived at Arroyo de Aqua,
md here they rested on their arms until
midnight of Sunday, when they took up
their line of march again, following the
direction Of the railroad which runs be-
tween Consolation del Sur and Paso Real.
Al 8 o'clock Monday morning the Span
fish had arrived at the farm of Candelara,
on their way 10 San Diego de Los Banos,
but they turned south again towards La
Hcrradure, and continuing their march
they met the insurgents about 2 o'clock in
the afternoon at the town of Paso Real.
An attack was Immediately opened
upon the insurgents In the town. They
held their position with the greatest
tenaoity, from the vantage ground of the
houses and walls of the streets. From
thsse points il was found difficult to dis
ledge them, though a fire was directed
upon them from all sides.
spaniards In Battle Array.
The Spanish formed for a regular and
systematic attack, the vanguard of the
columns under Colonel Hernandez charg-
ing their position by the left flank, while
the center and rear guard OF the Spanish.
under the direct command of General
Luque, forced themselves into the central
street OF the village and attacked by the
right flank, charging with yigor and de-
termination.
Seeing their position thus imperiled,.
and themselves in danger of having their
retreat cut off, the insurgents made n
rapid retreat to the extreme western
limits OF the village, doing some execution
during the retreat. Here they formed
their lines for q further and against the
attack of the Spaniards.
A volley from the rifles of the troops
failed to break the line of the insurgent
<,r.e Thov cvora ofxap an oao,nl .,olIo,
but they still stood their ground, and
ever in the face of n third volley of rifle
bullets they refused to bulge an inch and
obstinately maintained their formidable
line.
The Spanish cavalry were then ordered
TO charge, and they swept down with great
valor on the devoted band led by Lieuten-
ants Herrera and Berenguer. The insur-
gents were unable to stand this onslaught,
and their formation was broken and they
were put TO flight, 10 OF them being killed
with cavalry sabcrs.
They were pursued by the Spanish
cavalry outside the limits OF the village,
but the pursuers We're here met by a force
of insurgent cavalry, numbering 1000, and
the pursuit was checked. The insurgent
cavalry made a stand and met the attack
of the Spanish, covering the retreat Of
their friends and stubbornly refusing to
give way In face OF the Spanish fire until
the Spanish infantry came up.
Meanwhile the Cubans had worked their
way ahead. and once more made n vigor-
Gus stand against the onslaught of the
Spanish troops. The battalion Of San
Quintin advanced upon them, but it was
only after repeated volleys had been fired
into them that their position was taken
and the village was In possession OF the
Spanish.
valorous Insurgents Bold Stand.
But still the insurgents did not abandon
che field, but only gave back before the
troops and prepared TO make q last stand
in n palm grove about three kilometers
distant. Here they formed n line of de-
Tense again. the center being further adj
venced than the TANKS, and awaited an
attack.
The line Of the troops was formed by
two companies from the battalion of Ia
baya and one company of the battalion of
Galicia on the left wing, under Colonel
Hernandez; a battalion aud three COM
panies of the San Quintin regiment, with
the colonel in command, but under the
immediate orders of General Luque, for
the center, and one company of the Soria
regiment ana Two OF the Alfonso Trecc,
under Lieutenant Colonel Yldefonso
Frances, ON the right wing. The artillery,
under Lieutenant Siron, were placed be-
tween the center and the right wing, and
opened nre upon the enemy at a distance
of 600 yards.
The tnsurgent cavalry did not await the
nearer approach OF the Spanlards, but
dashed down the declivity from the palm
grove, aud charged full upon the Span
iards' formation with what the official re.
port terms a savage valor. These intrepid
horscmen threw themselves upon The
points Of the bayonets Of the Span.ards.
Tho Spanish infantry, however, stood
firm and rcpulsed the charge with thu
bayonet. They then, In turn themsclves
made a hnyonet charge. The insurgen