New-York tribune., 1896-06-20
4 SPANISH COLUMN CRUSHED.
GOMEZ ANNIHILATEs GENERAL CAsTEL-
LANOS AT NAJASA-

ONE THOUSAND SPANIARDS SAID TO HAVE BiS4N
KILLED AND wouNDEp-THE REBELS FL
NAI1Y WITHDRAW UNDER THE
HRE OF GENERAL GoDoY.
Havana. June II, via Tampa, Fla. June 10
The event Of the week has been Gomez spiehuid
victory at Naiasa Puerto Principe. The detaiis
thus far are meagre, the best report received
here up to the present time being from the corre-
spondent Of the discussion" which is regarded
as the best Informed independent paper IN
Havana. He Gays that General Jimlnez Castei-
lanos left Puerto Principe on June with 2li4
men, $40 horses and five mounted pieces OF artii-
lery On June they cncamped at cattle ranch
called Saratoga where about o'clock p. m. the
attack began by charge OF lOO0 rebel
cavalrymen with machetes From that moment
until the morning Of June II the insurgents con-
unued harassing the troops, killing and wound
Ing many.
The story Of General Castellanos who COM
manded the Spaniards. IS that the Cuban charges
were repelled either by artillery fire or by form
ing hollow squares. which the Spaniards con-
soer unbreakable. Still Castellanos confesses
that there were moments Of great danger. and
only by displaying the greatest valor could
the Spaniards succeed In repelling the attacks
Of the enemy He admits that the number or
wounded Spanish troops obliged him to erect
his camp hospital in the farmhouse Of the ranch.
brick and tiled-roofed structure, which was so
riddled with bullets that some Of the wounded
men were struck after being placed inside
Cassellanos also Acknowledges that General
Godoys arrival was opportune, since the
forty-two hours had exhausted his troops In
view Of the loss inflicted on the forces. Generals
Godoy and CastellanOs decided 70 return 70 the
city without pursuing the enemy, who mad al
ready begun their retreat on Godoy's appearance.
varela the correspondent. says that the Span
!sh troops fired 10000 cartridges and 80 shells
and the rebels %. 600 shots. He figures the rebel
losses from 400 TO 800 and the Spaniards, at 10
(Which only four were killed and the rest wound
ed. more or less. Including two officers. He con-
aSaes his story by simply announcing the ar
nval OF both columns in Puerto Principe, without
stating In what condition they entered the city.
whether all their commanding officensof high or
low rank returned, or who were missing This
Is the Spanish side OF the fight which is borne
out BY the Official report.
From other sources, incomplete and lacking
important details. 1t is shown that Gomez had
only 1900 men General Casteanos's forces
amounted TO $500 men He knowing OF his
nvais approach. placed the men In convenient
poetons. dividing his forces in small groups or
y" men each. AS soon as the Spaniards were
comfortably encamped In the ranch preparing
iof the next days attack on Gomez's stronghold
u NeJasa. the Cuban chief suddenly made his
appearance. attacking their positions smutane-
ously on all sides
Taken unawares and completely surrounded.
u! the Spaniards could 90 was TO defend them
seives from the continued charges, which, with
marvellous military precision. were kept up
light and day, without anording the Spaniards
moments rest. Thanks to General Godoy S
timely arrival with 300 men. Castellanos was
frnr n1ota daCf frf1nf
1t r said that IL Godoy had delayed his march
ux hours longer Castellanos would have sur
rendered. he, already too weak to stand
much fighting longer
The actual losses both sides have not been
sscertaincd yet. II Is only known that the
spaniards brought with them 800 wounded from
me field of action. and whether they left any be-
nind Is not known. Report has II that the total
spanish loss in killed, wounded and missing was
over 1000