The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-05-21
THE INSURGENTS SHOWER DYNA-
MITE UPON THE HEADS OF A
SPANISH FORCE.
III SPAN|ARDS WERE DEMORAuZED
Still They Figure Out Victory for
Observation-Disclosures, 1t is Said, Will
Push Affairs When the Rainy
Season Begins.

neau or n column OF spanish troops at
Ciega Montera, between Santa Clara
and Cienfuegos, has been engaged with
Il force of insurgent cavalry, said to
number 1000 men, under Carnello and
Zaya, ironing the escort of Maxine Co
mez After two hours conflict the in
surgents retreated, leaving many wound
ed behind them. Countrymen met by
troops assert the insurgents in retreating
carried with them many dead and
wounded. On the government side one
lieutenant and nineteen privates were
wounded.
Capt. Gen. Weyler has congratulated
Gems. Segura and Frances upon their
activity in operating against the insur-
gents and also recommended their pro-
motion.
band of guerillas belonging to Raba-
dan, in the province of Matanzas, has
had skirmish with an insurgent force
near Cardenas. Three of the enemy were
killed.
While the guerilla forces of the column
of Spanish troops commanded by Cas-
tellanO were recOnntering at Palse Que
mazda, province of Puerto Principe. they
came across an insurgent force. In the
fight which followed eleven of the enemy
were killed, among them being lieuten-
ants belonging to the insurgent band
commanded by Rabi.
Three more insurgents were killed at
Jigui.
MeaSra details have been received of an
attack made upon the famous Platero
camp of the insurgents by Col ENRIQUE
Segura's column. which was severe for
the Spaniards. The official report, how
ever, places the loss of the troops at only
one lieutenant and four privates killed and
one captain and twenty-seven privates
wounded, while the loss of the insurgents
was ffty-seven killed, left on the field, and
estimated, 100 wounded. carried off.
Col. Segura left Yagua Jay at the head
of his column on May 8. and encountered
an insurgent rush at Santa Cruz These
retreated, however, after only slight
skirmish
Arrived at Sebabo, Col Segura perceiv-
ed insurgent infantry going toward the
famous Pletro camp. The troops went
in pursuit. proceeding cautiously, how
ever, though only slight resistance was
offered to their advance. They went
forward until they came opposite the lone
ly hills and inaccessible paths where the
insurgents had built a stronghold with
bloody engagement occurred.
The insurgents allowed the column to
advance until part had entered definite
course under the heights, the cavalry and
baggage train. however. being still in the
rear. In a moment the heights blaZed
with a sudden fire OF musketry, and there
was hurled down upon the heads of the
troops deadly shower of dynamite bombs
and shells. which exploded in the ranks
of the Spaniards.
This onslaught was unexpected and
threw the troops into Il temporary panic
1t looked as though the insurgents would
sweep everything before them. The artil-
lery was thrown into confusion and was
helpless and useless, and was placed hors
de combat The mules SHE'D at the noise
and fell into a ditch The artillerymen
had to lift two of the cannon out of the
ditch and into position by main strength
before they became available for service.
They were trained upon the rocks and
loaded with shells, but there was no enc
my visible to fire upon. the only sign or
them being heavy smoke cloud which
hung over the rocks and showed where
their terrible attack had come from. The
vanguard of the column had to face an
attack from a line of the enemy perched
in entertainments on the steep hills which
faced them. and to add to the damage and
confusion an attack was very soon opened
on the left flank of the troops.
The first company of the Seamoore bat,
tallion and the cavalry were entrusted
with the task of repelling the flank at
tack. The engagement thus suddenly
opened began at II o'clock an continued
until 1 O'Clock. The official report an
nounced that at the end of that time tne
Spanish troops were in sole possession OF
IL, inn
above stated.
The supreme court of war and marine
in the case of Lieut.. Gallego, commander
of the guard boat Dos de Mayo, near San
tiopo de Cuba in October last, have re,
yersed the decision of the court martial
odonted at Havana on October ~, and IN
addition have sentenced all the members
of the court martial who voted for Gal
lego's acquittal to one months arrest.
This sentence is also extended to the au-
thorities and to the military chief al IN
term for the district
The Dos de Mayo was in Aranearo pay
in October last and sent boats crew
ashore to 90 inland for water. Ihese
men were captured by the insurgents,
who informed Gallego that if he did not
surrender the Dos de Mayo the captlVes
would he shot. Gallego thereupon turn,
ed over to the insurgents the arms ana
1000 rounds of ammunition in ms posses
sion. He and his crew were then allow
ed To return to Santiago de Cuba WIN
the guard boat. The court martial Whlch
tried him stood four to three for his ac-
The column of Col. Landa has fought
the hand of Castillo at Sitio Mora, Ill IA
vano province. inficting loss upon tne
insurgents. The column pursued tnem
toward Mount Caiman, where the fougnt
again. with the result that the insurgents
left twelve killed when they took to high''
CARRYING off their wounded
FOUGHT THE MATABELEs:
Gwelo, Matabelaland, May l4'-hhe
natrol which pursued the insurgent Ma \, Ia.
tabele after the fights on Saturday last
near Moyen and about half a mile from
Mayin's main kraal, which was com,
Dletely destroyed, met the insurgents s fnI
later and another hot and close nght I1i-
loved, Between fifty and sixty OIL tne
enemy were found dead as the engage
ment ended Patrols suffered no loss'
Chief Makal was captured.
THE CHEZ FOO AFFAIR.
London. May 14.-Answering ques-
h. of