The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-12-17
MACEO's ALLEGED DEATH.
Another story Of the killing OF the
Insurgent Chieftain.

careful investigation among those Who
took part in the killing of Antonio Naceo;
After crossing the trocha by land. as has
been indicated in previous dispatches, An
tonic Maceo and staff, 1t appears. were en-
camped in the hills and expecting the ar
rival of Cuban reinforcements under Briga-
dier General Sanchez and others ordered
by General Aguierre TO receive and escort
the noted Pinar del Rio chief to the east.
Major Cirujeda was ignorant OF Maceos
presence in the district, believing him to
be still west of the trocha. But learning
that Spanish fort on the San Pedro had
been fired on that morning by insurgents,
he started out on a accommodating tour at
the head of a remnant of the San Quentin
Battalion, accompanied by force OF local
guerillas under Captain Peral. The Eaters
men were dressed in a manner very simi-
lar to that of the insurgent troops, and
they marched in the vanguard OF the Span
ish column. Mistaking these for Sanchezs
vanguard, challenges having been made
and countersigns given satisfactorily,
Maceo, surrounded by the members OF his
staff and handful of followers, advanced
with all confidence to meet his friends.
when the guerillas received them with
rifle volley. Maceo fell at the first fre,
his men temporarily disconnected with the
surprise retiring by the TANKS Young Co.
mez though he had been previously wound
ed at the trocha and still had his arm In
a sling assisted the engagement be-
came general. in dragging his chief to
place of temporary safety on the grass and
remained by his side until, realizing tnat
| they had been abandoned, Gomez wrote
the note to his parents which has been
previously teegraphed and lneh eommit,sr a1n,ler
| After the fight the Spanish scout, santa
| Ana, accompanied by the bugler of the san
| Quentin Battalion. while reconnoiteTlng tne
| jects of Importance or value, ran upon the
| body of Maceo, who was still ahVe AS
he asked in an agonized tone If they were
| Spaniards or Gu bans. Spaniards, SAID
the bugler, and he raised his machete as
the dying chief said:
Il die for Cuba and independence
AS the knife came down almost severing
the victims head from his BODY the scout
| interpoSing remarked:
That man resembles Maceo. 80.
impossible responded the bugler. La
MaceO is In Pinar del Rio.
The scout insisted that at least 1t was a
| chief of some Importance, and tying the
body by the feet to his horses tail: n. ne
! learning that their chiefs body was in
| Spanish hands and being evidently rein
forced. rallied and made a new attack an and
| Spanish officers unaware OF its Importance
| cut it loose as an unnecessary lmpediment;
|
! not know that his forces had encountered
| and killed Maceo till after reaching Guatao
| at nightfall and reading the documents,
| The full statements of DIR. Zertucha have
| not been allowed to be telegraphed even
to Madrid II develops that Maeeo Ace ,n Heft kIls S
| came TO Havana province with the opJect
| of assisting i'm carrying out the plans or
| Gomez of reorganiZing the troops In the
| central provinces together into an army of
| from 5000 TO 10000 and TO prepare for A
decisive and final blow Intended 10 end
| the war. 1t is alleged that Maceo consid-
| cred the trocha good thing Tor the IN
| surgents and that 1T would indirectly be
Gomez co n.a had m ' complimented Maceo on the
| manner i'm which his organization in Pinar
| del Rio had been effected by the forma-
tribution of arms by zones. the putting on
a war footing of 1900 men, the establish
ment of shops. salt works and hospitals
| and the keeping up OF communication py
small boats to the Florida coast.
| DIR. Zertucha says that Maceo never wore
the insignia of his rank. He adds that the
| to subsist for a long time. DR.. Zertucha is
authority for the statement that many
| Spanish soldiers deserting from the
trocha owing to General Aralo's ill treat
| ment-
| great reader of the Madrid. New York anC
| Paris newspapers. which he frequently re
| ceived and all of which were read or trans
lated to him: He was a "a close observer I c. o
| Maceo's habits were sober, and he neither
| smoked nor drank, nor allowed others 10 do
| so in his presence. He was rigid discipiin
| arian, and always Travelled with small es
| cert He constantly made inspection OF nj:
| military organization He was idolized b,
| mis- men, white as well as black.
| 1t is asserted that Maceo intended to re
| move General Aguerre from the position o.
| brigadier in the Cardenas district and tC
| replace him by Paul Arrange and Arangu
| rem. Maceo opposed the annexation senti
| ,ment of other Cuban chiefs. He alway:
| carried from SIS 900 to $4,000 with him. anC
| always granted quick succor to needy pa
| cificos
IL is reported that Gomez is moving west
| ward having delegated the government Il
| other hands as far as regards military nat
| ;ers before leaving Puerto Principe.