The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-11-08
INsURGENT CAMP.
graphic LETTER TO GENERAL
BRADLEY r. JOHNSON.
he Sacrifice and Heroism of the Little
Liberty Band spec fficaliY
Described
lFrom lac Baltimore News.l

(From the Baltimore News)
From his retreat in Virginia, where he
is engaged in writing war history, Gen
Bradley I. johnson sends the News the
following letter from a gentleman in
Cuba: Having received notice of an en-
campment of insurgents in the neighbor-
hood Of my estate, l resolved to visit it,
not only to pay my respects to the general
in command as an old friend, but also to
see for myself and be acquainted with
the composition of such an organization.
The small bands that frequently visited
my place were for the most part indie
pendent bodies, acting, to all intent, on
their own responsibility, but having, new
ertheless, communication with the large
bodies of patriots that moved about the
country, keeping the troops in constant
alarm by their rapid changes of posi-
ton.
l started early one morning under the
guidance of a couple of insurgents who
visited me most frequently, taking with
us the passports or papers that every one
Is obliged to carry either at his residence
or to 90 even beyond the boundaries of his
estate, as in case of meeting the Span
ish soldiers / could remain within the
exactions of military law l also took
the precaution of carrying a field glass
so as to reconnoiter the roads that lay
in our way, from the hills that overlook
ed the land As it was, we met only a
small detachment of cavalry crossing. our
route at some distance and we remained
hidden until it had passed About 10
miles from the starting point, on ascend
ing a small eminence we were suddenly
ag tod Iv~ 10
pearance somewhat startled me, as /
could see no object or bush of sufficient
size to enable any one to hide in. / sup
pose that they had dug holes for the
purpose, as they informed me that the
detachment we had seen had passed close
to them They exchanged a few words
with my guide and we passed on our
way. A few hundred yards further we
were stopped by a squad of mounted
men, who, on learning the object Of my
visit, informed me that they were the adj
vance guard of the main body, and d.
rected us to ruin that could be seen
through some trees on our right.
The encampment was formed in the
Batey or cluster of houses that belonged
to the sugar estate-the cane has been
destroyed long ago by fre-and of the
buildings only one remains in fair condi-
ton, and that was occupied by an aged
coupe. OF all the others only charred
timbers and blackened walls remained to
mark the place where they stood. The
general had moved away the previous
evening with the greater part of the COM
mand, leaving $50 men, who were at this
time engaged in cutting up three steers
and preparing their morning meal
passed through the throug, exchanging
salutations with the men and reached
the quarters Of the commanding Of
fcer, in whom / recognized an old ac-
quaintance, and was invited to partake Of
the meal to which he was doing justice,
and dismounting | occupied the seat Of
fered me by one of the staff, which was
formed of several bricks in a pile On
a charred piece of timber that had been
a supporting column of the sugaF-hOuse
was the layout, consisting of a large
piece of meat almost burnt ON one side
| and quite rare on the other and a pile
of sweet potatoes For table cloth there
was a large yagua or bark of the palm
tree.
or this meat each one present, with
the knife carried at the waist, carved a
piece, which was eaten zen nature" as
fingers, as we all know, were made be-
fore knives and forks Water was
drunk from bottles or leather cases, with
which many were provided. The com
handing officer, however, had a cup Of
coffee, which he insisted on dividing with
me, regretting that for the present the
sugar had given out Jokes were not
+ wanting and laughter resounded on all
sides, proving that if anything else was
wanting good humor certainly was not.
The meal being over, a shrill whistle re-
sounded, silence was restored, and at
the word of command each man sought
his horse and in a few minutes the line
was formed ready to take up the march
! asked permission to inspect the arms,
which was readily granted. Many were
Colt repeating carbines others were Rem
ington or Peabody, and two or three
men had No. II breech-loading shotguns,
which showed hard use and were not kept
in as good condition as could be desired
All had revolvers, mostly Smith a. Yves
sons and the well-known machete. Some
of the rifles were new from a recent land
ing on the coast, and not few had
broken stocks that had been mended
with wire to Irvine.
The men dressed in clothes o. many
colOrs, some merely with knit undershirts
and linen pants. Nothing suggested any
thing of a uniform except the five-point-
ed star on a blue ground that was con-
spicuOus on the upturned brim of the
hat, whether felt or straw. Some of the
dusky race had further ornaments of
peacock or other gay feathers All had
pieces of oilcloth rolled and carried at
the front of the saddle, and which were
used as a cloak for protection from the
rain, or at night from the heavy dew.
The men appeared strong and healthy,
and if their garments were somewhat
worn and ragged and shoes out at the
toes,-they were cheerful and cOntented.
There was casual mention Of the "pre-
sentacion," or wilful surrender of two
of their number, who a few days before
had taken advantage of the amnesty de-
cree. LET them go, so much more merit
for those who remain true to Cuba! ex-
claimed one in a loud voice, amidst the
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