Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1896-01-13

and understand. Although surrounded by 1 this peculiar individual independence, which seems strange in military opera tions, there is absolutely no friction. All are aetuated by one impulse; there is no dissension from the controlling mind, and that belongs to Maxine Go meg. His will is absolute, and yet he says to each man: Do not risk your life unnecessarily. You have only one and can best serve your country by saving it. Dead men cannot fire guns. Keep your head cool, your maehete warm and we will yet free Cuba. '
 I have been with the general but & short time, but each day my admiration for him increases He Is stndy in re- pose and in action, slender in build, not over 40 pounds in weight, about 5 feet inches in height, straight as an arrow. although he is GO years of age. His face is tanned, his hair and mustaehe are iron gray, his cheek bones are prominent and bis chin firm. His eool. calculating eyes seem at first to absolutely measure you, and then the face breaks into a re- assuring smile. His knee Is stiff from 8 wound received in the last war, but in the saddle he is simply part of the horse, or, rather, the horse is part of him, for he never seems to guide 1t. It would do your heart good to watch the old man lead q column through the cane fields and forests of Santa Clara. He is never at a loss which way to turn.
 We have had a fight every day since We commenced our march westward from the Santa Clara line, but nothing seems to daunt his courage and determi- nation. We go ahead in spite of any ob- stacle the Spanish troops have yet in- terposed. Yesterday We came on quite an extended line of the enemy's fron+, formed to prevent our advance. The gen eral halted on a little elevation of ground, stood in his stirrups a moment looking ahead, and then gave an order to our advance guard, who swung off to the southwest at slow gallop; sent some word back to Maeeo northeast, and then our own cavalry, swerying a little to the right, got the order to make feint at the enemy's left wing. The feint succeeded; the Spaniards imme- diately commenced to concentrate their troops in little valley where they thought We would cross. I had consid- erable trouble ill restraining my men from attempting to take battery which opened fire on us when at a distance of 400 yards. We afterward learned that ft was supported by 1, 1900 infantry. My orders were to make the charge and then retreat to the woods about third of 6 mile east. The moment my cavalry com menced to fall back, battalion of the enemy's infantry advanced in pursuit, but kind of stubby brush greatly i'm peded their movements.
 They were soon winded in the bushes, and before they could get out Maceo's advance guard commefGed to pour in galling fire from the north. They were soon in retreat toward their main body, and my boys hurried them along a little with close range shots from our reyolvers. But ammunition is too precious to waste on retreating troops, so NC made a detour to the south ward and took up our original line of march west. Cen. Gomez with the main body of our troops had in the meantime pressed on ahead almost unnoticed and unmolested. We canght up with him at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. 1 learned to- night that Maceo's men worried the Spaniards in the valley till nearly dark.
 This is pretty fair sample of our experiences each day, although know things will get better as we advance into Matanzas. Our long and almost un- broken march from Santiago de Cuba to Santa Clara was interesting, although devoid of unusual incident. While think of 1t allow me to make'a comics sion. In spite of your assurances and those of the many Cuban gentlemen whose acquaintance l formed ill New York there still fingered in my mind kind of secret suspicion that 1 was go- ing 10 meet here a motley combination of the ignorant negro and more or less savage white. You can therefore imag- inc the surprise and delight to find my self surrounded by men whose refine ment and learning would do credit to any drawing room in Europe. Skilled physicians, engineers, lawyers, men of letters and representatives of all arts and professions are more numerous on General Gomez's staff than i'll any com mand with which have heretofore come in contact Kindest regards and best wishes for a happy new year Yours for ''Cuba Libre, '' CAPTAIN STUART New York Sun.