The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-12-17
1T WAS A FATAL MISTAKE.
Reported That Maceo Mistook Spanish
Soldiers for Insurgents.

Havana, Dec. LII urtDer inquiry ny
the correspondent of the Associated
Press has elected the following details,
which are positively reliable, of the
manner in which Antonio Maceo met his
death: .,.
1t is known that Maceo expected the
insurgent brigauier general, Sanchez. to
concentrate his forces in Havana prov
ince in readiness for Maceo when he
should pass the tr0cha. 1t happened,
however, that in passing the Spanish
column, commanded by Maj. Ciurjeda,
Maceo mistOok the force of guerillas
gnder Peral for Sanchez's vanguard and
found himself amongst them before he
discovered his mistake.
Private advices from Santiago de Los
Vegas, in this province, state that the
prominent insurgent leader, Perico Del
gado, has been seriously wounded and
has remained hidden in the woods since
the last engagement with Gen. Fig
Nreoa.
These advces add that it is expected
that several bodies of insurgents will
soon surrender to the Spanish authorl-
ties.
The steamer San Ignacio has arrived
here, having on board 1910 soldiers, to
reinforce the Spanish forces in Cuba
At the first volley from the Spanish for
res Maceo fell wounded. The insurgents,
taken by surprise, commenced general
fire as they retreated and abandoned
Macco in dying condition.
Col. Feijoo has had an engagement at
Campo Florida, near Havana, with the
concentrated forces of the insurgents
which were with Maceo at the time he
was killed and which are now following
the leaders Aguirrc Castillo, Cardenas,
Galloa and LOCO and which number 1900
horsemen.
Col. Feijoo again met these forces at
Tumba Quarto, where he inflicted loss
IF eighteen killed. their wounded being
carried off. The Spanish had nineteen
wounded.
Upon the initiative of the Spanish vol
unteers there was grand demonstra.
ton at the palace tonight in honor of
Capt. Gen. Weylcr. BY y O'Clock IN
the evening the streets along the line OF
march were packed with a moving mass
of people and the balconies of the houses
were covered. At $50 procession of
volunteer troops marched to the music OF
4 band down Obispo street to the palace
amid the vivas of the population. There
was more enthusiasm even than on the
day Capt. Gen. Weylcr returned to Ha'
vana. The Marquis of Apeztaguai, the
leader OF the conservative party, tne COlli'
mittee fpublic defense and other pat
riotic societies took part in the demon
Stration.
Col. Dances, representative of the
volunteers, made an address to Gen
Weyler, congratulating him on the sue
cess of his plan in the campaign and ex
pressing desire for the paciiication OF
the island discovered by Columbus.
Capt Gen. Weyler displayed mucl
feeling when he returned thanks. Ht
said that all branches of the scryicc-tht
army, the navy, the volunteers and the
iiremen--were making an equal effor
and were. like himself, trying to put ar
end to the war; He said the soldiers
were the bulwark of the nation.
Maceo's death, he added, had takeI
place while the volunteers were preparing
their arms TO strengthen the troops
Maceo, finding that he was not safe OF
either side of the trocha, had taken t.
precipitate flight.
Gen. Weyler expressed great pleasur,
at the unity of the Spaniards, who will
he said, after peace has been secured, re
construct the country by the agreemen
of the present parties.
He terminated his speech with warn
tribute to the mothers of those VIII,
mad been sacrificed in the war.
The queen regent has offered her con
,ratulations TO Capt. Gen. Weyler.