The record-union., 1896-03-16

HAVANA, March 15.-An untoward
military accident that occurred last
night, growing out of misunderstand-
ing OF the reply to a challenge, resulted
In the killing of twelve soldiers and the
Wounding of a number of others
small band of insurgents had set
fire to the cane and buildings on a sugar
estate near Mariana, province of Ha-
vana. The smoke attracted the at
tent1on of two columns of Spanish
troops who We're advancing in search of
the rebels.
The column which first arrived on the
estate intrenched themselves as a pre-
caution against any sudden attack
from the insurgents, who were sup
posed to be near. The second column,
consisting of the San Quintin Battal-
ION, arrived on the scene after dark
AS they approached the intrenchments
of the first column they were hailed by
tie usual "Alerta" from a picket, and
responded by calling out the name of
their battalion, San Quintin.
The picket, confused by the sudden
appearance of the column, misunder-
stood the reply, taking it, from the sim
ilarity of the sound, to be Quintin Ban
dera, the name of one of the rebel lead
ers. He at once concluded that the
insurgents were moving to attack the
column to which he belonged, and,
without further parley, discharged his
piece and fell back to the intrench-
ments, where the report of his rifle had
caused all the troops to seize their arms
and prepare to repel an attack
The front column had in the mean
time continued to advance, supposing
that they had come upon the rebels for
whom they were looking They had
not gone far before the first column
poured a volley into their ranks. The
second column returned the fire, and
then, in response to an order, fixed their
bayonets and rushed forward to take
the intrenchments by storm. AS they
went over the intrenchments the first
column poured another volley into
them, and then when the troops came
into close quarters it was discovered
from the uniforms and flags that a fatal
blunder had been made
1t is reported that the losses on both
sides in killed and wounded was over
thirty, but there is strong suspicion
that they were much larger
All the circumstances tended to the
making of the mistake. Beside the
darkness, the smoke from the burning
cane fields prevented the combatants
from recognizing each other. The mis-
take is greatly deplored and though it
is generally held to have been unavoid-
able, it is pretty certain that the Off
GERS in command of the columns will be
court-martialed.
MUNITIONS OF WAR FOR. CUBANS.
NEW YORK, March 15.-The steam
er Bermuda, laden with arms and am
munition, left her anchorage about two
miles south of Liberty Island at S:15
o'clock this morning and passed Sandy
Hook at 10 o'clock. She cleared yes
terday for Vera Cruz. and no attempt
was made to detain her to-day as she
left the harbor
1t was said last night that groups of
men were on shore ready to go out to
her, but only three men were observed
when she sailed.
The munitions of war are undoubtedly
for the Cuban insurgents. A tugboat
followed the Bermuda, and it is under
stood was in the employ of the Spanish
the Jersey Coast say the tug followed
her out past Asbury Park, but how far
and for what purpose is not known.
The Bermuda when last seen had a
full head of steam on, and was headed
south. If as rumored, a steamer is to
meet and transfer men to the Bermuda,
it will undoubtedly. be some way down
the coast. Captain O'Brien, an old
II IN -
the Bermuda, has taken out filibuster-
ing expeditions in years gone by.
Early this mornig eighteen men of the
crew were taken aboard the Bermuda.
About 7:30 o'clock the tugboat r. j.
Barrett left the Battery Landing for
the Bermuda. She had on board the
Chief Engineer, Thomas Nelson, the
Second Engineer, Hawden, and Chief
Steward Taylor They had previously
been held as witnesses when the Ber-
muda was captured on her first attempt
to go Cubaward early on the morning of
February 25th.
Another interesting part of the af-
fair is the fact that Thomas Estrada
Palma, the head of the Cuban Junta.
had suddenly on Saturday night given
up his room at the Astor House, where
he ndQ DSen lOI SOHlc lllIie. suspicious
individuals believe that not only a fill
clustering expedition is under way, but
that it is also the idea of the Cubans to
get their leaders and chief men to-
gether in the island, so that it may be
shown to the United States Congress
that they have a well established Gov
ernment, and are worthy to have bel
ligerent rights accorded them.
Among prominent Cuba leaders who
have been in this city are General Cal
ixto Garcia, Thomas Estrada Palma
and Secretary Perez, who lately arrived
from Cuba. At the home of General
Garcia it was said to-day that he left
there about s a. m, and said that he
would be home to dinner. 1t was said
that he had previously denied having
any intention of going on the proposed
filibustering expedition.
Secretary Perez, who is said to be
close to Maceo, could not be found to-
day.
1t is generally supposed among those
who profess to know something of the
Cuban plans that the arrival of the Ber-
muda and the steamer Schleswig Gf
the latter is bound that way) viii be
the signal for a big display by the in
surgents and possible assault upon
Havana. 1t is argued that such an at