New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-23
CRUSHING DEFEAT ALLEGED.
SPANIARDS DRIVEN BACK FROM
NOVELETA WITH HEAVY LOSS.

MANY DEAD AND OVER FIVE HUNDRED WOUNDED
THE GUNRoATs WERE OF LITTLE SERVICE
GENERAL ROSS CAMPAIGN IN THE
PHILIPPINES A DISASTROUS FAILURE.
San Francisco, Dec 22-Private advlces from
Manila, Philippine Islands. reached here to-day
and are verified by an account that appears III
the Hong Kong Press received here on the
Belgic this morning. The news contained IN the
communication deals with the attack by the
Spanish on the Noveleta Isthmus, and the at
tempt Of the Spanish to dslodge the insurgents
in Cavite and Viejo. At the end OF the cam
paigr. which lasted until November IA. the
Spanish authorities sent out dispatches report
ing that the attack had been successful and
that the rebel loss was very heavy The span
sh asserted that they had lost about thirty-hNe
killed and 100 wounded. 1t is now learned that
the great victory that the Castilians predicted
ended in ignominious defeat. The rebels held
Novo,ot, AGAINST warsnips and troops The
Spaniards retired after suffering heavy losses.
The Spanish forces under General RIGS were
divided into two brigades Of 1000 men each.
suppor.ed by the Spanish gunboats in the bay.
The insurgents numbered about 12,OO0.
somewhat smaller force than the Spanish com
manded bu: they were strongly !ntrcnched In
Cavite and No.eeta. At the head or the
Noveleta Peninsula the ground was money
combed with ri1e-pits. and the town detenueu
from assault by earthworks planted with rapid
fire cannon and several pieces of heavy ar
tillery.
Rios attacked the first line of redoubts al
Noyeleta and the rebels fell back to the mann
line Of defence. mile in the rear al 'he P''"e'
line The Spanish had their plans wei ar
ranged They placed the cruiser Castillo close
rod
tack of the royal troops. The cruisers shells
reached the outside defences OF the rebels p"'
had little effect on the defences OF the c'y'
1,,. FIGHT hecan at 9 o'clock sunday. November
( and hv D. m the Insurgents outer works
had been evacuated.
Then a general attack followed. Rios throwing
the main body Of his first brigade against 'he
rebel entertainments. The gunboats opeheu III {
on the enemy but. owing TO bad gunner!' ia'ieu
10 cause any damage TO the defences; m
Cardela. the clos ast to Cavite, was luiiy -
miles from the town. and all or her snciS 49, :. -
short. owing to the extreme elevation give" '"'
ships cannon. ,.
When Ross men reached the insurgents
works a terrific fire opened on them. lhey
marched forward resolutcly until the rifle pits
began to belch forth fire. moving down the IRON,
ranks The column faltered. then re'Fea'eu
slowly under heavy fire. ,
The Spanish troops were In the open anu SUI
iected to the full effect of the fire Had the rep-
els gunnery been good. Rios would nave peen
slaughtered. 80, .
ON the morning Of the 9th the Spanish were
back in their camp again and had repaired the
remnants Of the First Brigade. The Second bf'-
gade had suffered very little.
The steamer Isabel and small transPo.r. .
were used to fetch the wounded to port from tne
neninsuIa At least 800 wounded were brought
from the battlefield.
On "Wednesday November II. Rios prepared
and headed second attack on Noveleta. He
threw his entire army against the redoubts. and
was routed with heavy loss IN the nrst attach'
The ounboats failed to aid the troops to any ex-
tent their shot falling short. The Spanish sol
diers did not attempt to renew the attack hu'
waited until the morning of the l4th. wheh a
weak effort was made to flank the rebels the fail-
ure of which ended the fighting for the time be-
ing