The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-13
CUBANS LOSE AGAIN
SUFFER ANOTHER SERIOUS DEFEAT
BY THE SPANISH TROOPS.
Colonel Lopez Succeeds I'm Relieving
Csmajuani After InHicting Heavy
Loss on the Insurgents.
MANY KILLED AND WOUNDED
FORTY-EIGHT DEAD CUBANS LEFT
ON THE BATTLEFIELD.
| General WeyIer Preparing to Con-
centrate His Forces with the OBJ
ject of Crushing the Enemy.
MANY KILLED AND WOUNDED
FORTY-EIGHT DEAD CUBANS LEFT
ON THE BATTLEFIELD.

HAVANA, Feb. ia diSpatcn recelNeu
here from Santa Clara, capital of the prov
ince of that name, from Gen. Oliver, the
Spanish commander of that district, an
nounces a serious defeat OF the insurgents
under Serafin Sanchez and Mirabel, two of
the most important insurgent leaders out
side of the province of Havana. The fol-
lowing details of the engagement have been
received here: Gen. Oliver. hearing that
Serafin Sanchez and Mirabel, at the head of
a numerous force of insurgents, were NOV
ing on Camajuan ordered Col. Lopez, at
the head of 800 cavalry and infantry, to leave
Remedies, northeast OF Camajuan where
the troops were in garrison, and to engage
the enemy. The Spanish troops left Rene
dos at z o'clock in the morning date not
given. supposed to be Monday and arrived
at Camajuani at o'clock the same nignt.
The troops were aroused at an early hour
the next morning and left Cana juan going
in the direction of Palo Prieto, where the
advance guard of the insurgents were sta
toned. The latter opened fire on ti;e troops
as soon as the soldiers were well within
range. For some time the Spaniards cid
not reply, wishing to get within better
shooting distance before engaging the in
surgents
When the Spanish column was well in
hand and in battle formation. Col. Lopez
ordered the attack commenced. This was
done with effect, a sharp and wel-directed
fire being kept up by the troops until the
advance guard of the insurgents retreated
on it's main body, after having replied yig-
orously. The Spaniards continued TO ad-
vance over difficult ground, the insurgent
sharpshooters keeping up a harassing fire
as they retreated But when the troops
reached large open space of territory,
having high ground to the right and left
front. the insurgents suddenly appeared in
strong force to the right and left OF the
troops, and another body of the enemy,
afterwards ascertained to be strong rein
forcement of insurgents, under Leoncio vi
dal and Betancourt. moved on Col. Lopez $
force in the center. Col. Lopez was thus
in danger of being surrounded by much
superior and well-armed force of insur-
gents. To his right and on his left were the
main bodies OF attacking insurgents under
Serafin Sanchez and Mirabel They were
composed of mounted and dismounted men
in about equal numbers. But the center
force of insurgents was mainly infantry.
Under these circumstances Col. Lopez or
dered the troops 10 form square. This was
done with great GOODNESS under the fire Of
the enemy. and eventually the insurgents
charged on the square from three sides
with machetes, the rear of the Spanish col
umn being somewhat protected by a stone
wall and natural defenses in the shape of
thick bush wood and ravine difficult to
cross.
UNSUCCESSFUL CHARGES.
The insurgents charged with the greatest
courage, In spite Of the fire of the troops,
waving their machetes in the air and cheer
ing for Cuba. Their first attack was re-
pulsed. but they were not long in returning
TO the charge with the same gallantry. This
time the insurgents reached almost up to
the Spanish square, but more they
were driven back, this time in disorder.
The insurgent leaders made another attempt
to rally their forces, and a small body of
nsurgent cavalry was led to the attack
for the third time. But, when about a
dozen OF their horses had been shot down
the insurgents retreated for good after
ward, however, keeping up for nearly an
hour a scattering fire which was severe
enough to prevent the troops from pursuing
the enemy.
II was not until o'clock in the afternoon
that firing ceased, and fatigue parties were
sent out TO gather up the insurgent dead
and wounded. while the Spanish cavalry
pursued the retreating bodies of the enemy
The soldiers found forty-eight dead insur-
gents on the field, and il was estimated b,
fairly accurate count that the enemy car
ried away l30 wounded men, in addition n
a number of their wounded who feD toe
their friends carrying them Off The Span.
ish cavalry, In pursuing the insurgents. can.
tured a number of country peopll suppos-
ing them to have Information REGARDING thf
movements OF the enemy. The prisoners
after having been questioned by Colone
Lopez. were released. They say that the in.
surgent loss is much greater than estimates
by the Spanish officers, as they saw a nun.
ber of dead. apparently men of Importance
being carried away by the insurgent cav.
alrymen, and the country people also assert
that the number OF wounded carried of b,
the enemy was quite two hundred
The Spanish troops behaved throuybou
with the greatest coolness. and. owing IL
| the admirable position selected by Colone
| Lopez for the formation Of the SQUARE IN,
| loss sustained by the troops was slight ir
| view OF the fact that the fighting laster
| over six hours. The troops iosf Waiol
| Tones, Sergeant Otero and four soldier,
| killed and had lieutenant. one sergesn
| and fifty soldiers wounded. The rayine be
| hind the spot where the Spanish sguar,
| formed turned out 10 be an admirable fiel,
! hospital. where the wounded were cared 10
| while the bullets OF the enemy were wh;z
zing harnlessiy over them
General Oliver has ccmplimentei Coione
Lopez on the admirable manner in which
| he has relieved Camajuani. The troops
when last heard from. were occupying .ha
place. and no danger was apprehended o
any further movement of the insurgents OF
| the town, which. by the way. Is not far from
: Santa Clara. Colonel Lopez reports that h,