Evening star., 1896-12-09
Announcement of the Cuban Leaders
Death.
HIS WAR DIARY FOUND ON A CORPSE
Excitement at Havana Over His
Crossing the Trocha
TO REJOICING

The announcement was made last night
in Havana that Antonio Maceo, who has
been in command of the insurgent troops in
western Cuba had been killed In the battle
fought Monday. The proof is by no means
conclusive 1t consists of papers found
upon one of the bodies. The Spanish OFF,
Gals themselves in Havana admit that they
lack positive information. There was
found among the dead rebels the body of a
well-dressed man. on which there were
doc incnts that led to the belief he was
the son of Maximo Gomez. Among the pa
pers found was one on which, written with
a lead pencil, was a confession that the
writer had committed suicide rather than
to abandon the body of Antonio Maceo.
The war diary of Maceo was also found. 1t
is concluded. from these circumstances,
that Maceo was killed in the engagement
with Maj. Cirujeda's command, Monday.
brief report of which vas telegraphed to
yesterdays Star.
MaceO's Approach.
There was much excitement at Havana
when it became generally known that Ma
Geo had or ,ssed the military line with, it Is
rpderst ood. a strong force of Insurgents.
especially when coupled with the fighting
between Spanish troops and insurgents
close to Havana. 1t seams evident that the
iLsurgent commander has not only ceverly
turned the flank Of Captain General Wey-
Ter. but has succeeded in getting in his
rear and crossing the famous military line
near the port which has used as
base of supplies for the Spanish troops in
P,nar del Rio. The Importance of this
movement cannot be exaggerated
The whereabouts of Gen. Weyler Is not
known, but he is believed 20 be hunting for
Maceo in the mountains in the extreme
western part of Pinar del Rio. while the
insurgent chief has seemingly doubled on
his tracks, turned the flank of the Spanish
general and passed in his rear, in the d.
rect:on of Havana. crossing the military
line at will.
strength of the insurgent force with Ma
Geo. In fact, 1t was not until the news was
being passed from person to person in the
streets that the authorities would give
report that Maceo had cross I'd the military
lire. There is no 1ouDt that the insur-
gents have recently been increased in num-
her about the capital. The stray bands Of
Spanish troops have now swollen to the
proportions of insurgent forces Of 1900 to
1000 men.
Only week ago yesterday a bold attack
was made upon Guanabacoa, suburb of
Havana, and seventy houses were burned
by the insurgents, who also killed all the
men forming the garrison Of one Of the
forts: Therefore, it is not astonishing if
selves from what quarter the next attack
will be made.
The Spanish authorities are doing all In
| trccha by Maceo.
Major Cirujeda's official report that the
engagement with Maceo December 4, when
| he forced the trocha. was "a fearful CON-
bat," which is the first official admission
that Maceo brought with him across the
trocha a considerable and well-euuipped
following. and fought hot engagement to
erect his passage.
After the Cubans had passed into Havana
pr ovince the Spanish commander effected a
fresh concentrated movement in that prov
ince and awaited the arrival of Maceo He
had received confidential information of
the proposed movements of the Cubans and
arranged his forces accordingly. He had.
in addition, received detailed description
of the horse which Maceo was to ride, as
well as Of its caparisons.
The Battle.
The expected battle occurred Monday
The New York. Worlds Havana corre-
spondent says of the battle:
when attacked by Cirujedas little COL
umn of 1856 infantry and 123 cavalry, Gen
Maceo. with from three to four thousand
followers, occupied positions under the
cover of a stone fence. Maceo was driven
from these positions by brilliant Spanish
| bayonet charge. The insurgents vainly at
tempted to make new stands. Successive
efforts to use their machetes were each
| time parried. until finally. upon the adjoin-
| ing estate Of San Claudio, they broke II;
| disorder. The insurgents abandoned more
than forty dead on the field. but carried
| away many wounded. The Spanish loss is
given as three privates killed and four
| lieutenants. sergeant and twenty-six pri-
! vates wounded
Two bodies.
| After the fight the Spanish troops are
| said to have made u reconnaissance of the
ground previously held by the Cuban forces
| Here were found two corpses lying to-
| gether. and. indeed. almost locked in an
| embrace of Death. The one body was that
| Of nulatto, stout man, with gray,
crisply curling hair. and the other, that OF
q. slender, dark-haired youth. -. -. .
J. Both men were dressed in white linen
| cuck suits. When the linen suit was re.