The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-09

His Experience with the Insurgent
Army-Oae Of the ..Great', BattIes.


ST. LOUIS. Jan. s-The Glc5e-Democrat
Of this morning publishes letter from Ha-
vana. under date of Jan. 1, as follows:
''Honore F. Laney. sugar planter. whose
plantation is near Narajas. arrived here to-
day after the unusual experience CT five
days with the insurgents. Gomez's army
approached his place and was about to burn
his cane when ne protested and started to
look for Brigadier General Zayas, with
whom he was acquainted. He was promptly
made prisoner and taken before Naceo.
who turned him over to Gomez. The rebel
commander received him as a guest. but for
military reasons would not let him return
home at once. The General questioned him
and was questioned by him During the
five days of Laneys stay with the insur-
gents Gomez'S army swung in big circle.
first along the line of The railroad. passing
Redroso, Torriente. Claudio, and coming
around south OF Murga. They crossed over
TO the east. crossed another railroad line
north OF Aquada and recrossed 1T on the
western arc near Calimete. This is where
the big fight occurred, but Mr.. Laney gives
a very different account OF il than pub
lished. According to official reports the in
surgents lost one hundred or more men,
while the losses Of the Spanish were put
down eighteen killed and sixty-four
wounded. Il saw one OF Maceo's men fall
dead, and there were other casualties"
says Mr.. Laney, but no more than eight
men were killed. / saw seventeen dead
Spanish soldiers on the field after the fight.
started just GomeZs men were hanging
negro. also of the command. He had
assaulted negress and was condemned by
back OF the buildings OF a sugar plantation,
when volley was fired. and one of the
execution squad was killed The rebel in
fantry dropped to the grass anu began to
answer the fire with Great effect, while the
cavalry came around behind the Spaniaris.
who had formed in two squares. The first
square was having pretty hard time with
the infantry. who. crawling in the cane.
poured shot into 1t. i heard Gomez order
a machete charge on the other square, and
under that charge the square melted away,
the soldiers finding shelter and protection in
the cane. After the battle, when the in
surgents had mustered up quite number
of mausers. they came back TO the build
ings where their wounded were. Later.
the column moved away, the Spanaris
opened fire with cannon. but did little dam
forces In our rear and fired. The insurgents
did not fire after leaving the plantation.
Later on in the mach the rebel column
was fired on by a trainload of troops An
other man was killed and there was third
engagement This did little damage. From
Calimete the march was northwest. The
troops crossed the railroad just west OF
Baro and recrossed il at Corralitos. Thence
they marched to Nevajas, where / was re-
leased. near home.
There are. / should estimate" said
1aney, about eight thousand men with
Gomez and Maceo. / understand that there
are couple of thousand more to the north,
under Lscre, and perhaps an equal number
in the south under Quintin Bandera and
another chief"
There was story that Gomez was going
to avenge the execution of Cabacillo 'Acebo
on certain prisoners he had, and of this
Mr. Laney said: Nothing could be wider
from the truth. Prisoners are nearly al
ways released at once"
'Now. Mr.. Laney, there are, according
to your account, ten or twelve thousand in
surgents in Matanzas. We know there are
thirty or forty thousand Spanish soldiers
In the province. How such armies, II
they are in earnest, maneuver around in
the way you describe and not have a battle?
Is II that the insurgents hide so well?''
The insurgent column over league
long. How can you hfde such an army?'
A nj that IL all the answer no made