The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-03
And Terrible Losses Inflicted on the
Spa ntsh Column Commanded by
General AraIas.
OVER 1000 SOLDIERS SLAIN
DYNAMITE HEELS USED BY CUBANS
WITH F~RIGHTFUL EFFECT.
Two other Battles, in Which, Accord
ing TO Spanish Accounts, the In
surgents Were Defeated.

KEY WEST, Fla, oct. 2.-Advices re-
ceived here from Havana state that An
tonic Maceo, in a recent attack on the
trocha, inflicted terrible losses on the
Spaniards, more than one thousand being
killed and wounded. The attack was
made at night, and was carefully planned.
The fighting was general all along the line,
but was fercest near Artemisa, where An
tonic Maceo led a picked force of insur-
gents against the Spanish column COM
manded by General Aralas. The Spaniards
were taken completely by surprise. They
were aroused from sleep to find a hail of
irsurgent bullets falling upon them. Gen.
Aralas and his staff, half clad, rushed from
their headquarters and tried to rally the
Spanish troops, who were panic-stricken
by the insurgents attack. 1t was half an
hour before even a semblance of order
could be restored to the Spanish column,
and during that time the troops remained
huddled together, an easy mark for the
bullets of the Cubans, It was during the
period of the panic that so many Of the
Spanish troops were killed. The insurgents
had several dynamite guns, and these We're
used with terrible effect, the shells burst
ing among the Spaniards and striking
them down by the scores. The wounds
made by the dynamite shells were fright
full, in many instances men being literally
blown to pieces. 1t is said many Spanish
officers were killed and that General Ara
las himself was slightly injured.
After General Aralas succeeded in rally
ing his men he made a retreat and the
Spaniards fell back four miles or more,
leaving the trocha in the hands of the in
surgents. Antonio Maceo did not pursue
the Spaniards, out held possession of Ar
temisa until morning, when he retreated to
his stronghold. Before the insurgents re-
treated they demolished the section of the
trocha near Artemisa, blowing up the forth
fication with dynamite. They captured six
pieces of artillery and many thousands of
cartridges and several hundred stands of
arms. While the attack was in progress
at Artemisa Maceo's l~ieutenants were as
saulting the trocha with equal success On
the right and left. The attack ragged from
Bahiaf Honda. on the north, to Mikanda, on
the south, and at all points the strong hne
was demolished. Maceo could easily have
crossed with his entire force, but it seems
that he had no such purpose in view. His
object was simply 10 demolish the trocha
SO that it would not impede his eastward
march when he desires to advance to meet
Gomez.
The steamer Mascotte arrived from Ha-
vana yesterday morning, having been de-
tanned by rough weather. On board the
steamer was Samuel T. Tolon, the Ameri-
can citizen who was arrested some days
ago on an American steamer in Havana
harbor and whose arrest caused d quarrel
between United States Consul Lee and
Captain General Weyler. 1t is said that
Consul Lee talked to Weyler in the harsh
est manner, telling him that he was abus-
ing the patience of the United States gov
eminent nv mis- brutal trea tmPut of Amer
lean citizens and that the United States
would no longer tolerate such conduct.
Weyler is said to have apologized and i'm
mediately ordered the release of Tolon.
Tolon is en- route to Washington, where he
will present his case to the State Depart
ment and make d claim against Spain for
$50, 900 damages for his arrest.