The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1896-12-26
THE SPANISH DEFEATED
BLOODY BATTLE IN PHILIPPINE
ISLANDS WITH INSURGENTS.
Two Attacks, Assisted by GunbOats,
Repulsed by an Inferior Force
of Islanders.

San Francisco, Dec. 3a.-Private ad-
vices from Manila, Philippine Islands,
arrived here today. ami are verified by
an account that appears In the HONG
Kong Press, received per steamer Belgic
this morning. The news contained IN
the communication deals with the attack
by the Spanish on the Noveleta isthmus
and the attempt of the Spanish to ,ii3-
lodge the Insurgents in Cavite and VteJo.
At the end OF the campaign. which last
ed until the 18th OF November. the Span
ish authorities sent out dispatches rep
Iesenting that the attack had been sue
cessful. and that the rebel loss was very
heavy. The Spanish claimed to have .ost
about IS killed and loo wounded. is
now learned that the great victory At
the Castillians predicted ended IN ignumi-
nous defeat. The rebels held Noveieel
against warships and troops. The Span
Iards retired after suffering heavy loss.
The Spanish forces under General Rios
were divided into two brigades Of 100
men each, supported by the Spanish gun
boats In the bay.
The insurgents numbered about 1900.
but they were strongly entrenched IN
Cavite and NoveletA At the head of
the Noveleta peninsula the ground was
honeycombed with rifle pits and the town
defended from assault by earth works
planted with rapid firing cannon and
several pieces of heavy artillery.
Rios attacked the first line OF redoubts
at Noveleta and the rebels fell back to
the main line OF defense, a mile in the
rear OF the picket line. The Spanish had
Rhnm Hack.
their plans well arranged They placed
the cruiser Castillo close in shore, and
with her guns covered the attack Of the
troops. The cruisers shells reached the
outside defenses OF the rebels. but had
little effect on the defenses of the city.
The fight started at 3 o'clock sunday.
November 5, and by o'clock in the at
ternoon the insurgents outer works had
been evacuated. Then a general attack
followed, Rios throwing the main body
OF his first brigade against the rebel en-
trenchments. The gunboats opened FIRE
on the enemy. but owing to bad gunnery
failed to cause any damage to the de-
lenses. The Cardelia- the closest 10 Cav
lite. was fully six miles from the town.
and all Of her shells fell short. owing
to the extreme elevation given to the
ships cannon.
When Rios men reached the insurSent
works a terrific fire was opened on them
They marched forward reSolutely until
the rife pits began to belch forth, moving
down the front ranks. The column fal-er-
ed, then retreated slowly. under heavy
fre. The Spanish troops were in the open
and subjected to the full effect OF the lire.
Had the rebels gunnery been good, Rios
could have been slaughtered.
On the morning of the 9th the Spanish
were back in their camp again and had re-
paired the remnants of the First briguie
The Second brigade had suffered very lit
tie The steamers Isabelle l. and small
transport were used to bring the wounded
10 a port in the peninsula. At least 81
wounded were brought from the battle
field.
Routed n Second Time.
On Wednesday. November H. Rios pre-
pared and headed second attack on Nov,
eleta- He threw his entire army aglins
the redoubts and was routed with heavy
loss in the first attack. The unool.:
failed to aid the troops to any extent, lne.l
shot falling short. The Spanish did 10
attempt 10 renew the action, bu: wIi.eC
until the morning of November II. when
weak effort was made to flank the rebels
the failure OF which ended he liga.ing TOT
the time being.
Germany sends WarshIp.
Hong Kong, Dec 22--The German Rl-
ship IRE has sailed for Manila under or.
ders to protect German sub ec:s and .ht
subjects Of other powers, in the event o.
severe hgntlng which is anticipated .hs3e