Evening star., 1896-11-27
SPANISH SUFFERED GREATLY
Graphic Story of the Recent Battle of Rubi
Mountain.
Cuban Insurgents inflicted Great Loss
His Stronghold to Rest His Men.

Col Jose Reyes, who Is on the staff of
Antonio Maceo, the Cuban chief, passed
through Jacksonville yesterday on his way
to New York. Colonel Reyes Is just from
the province of Pinar del Rio and took
part in the recent engagement between
Maceo's forces and those of Captain Cen
eral Weyler.
In the battle of Rubi mountain, where
the Spaniards under Generals Munoz and
Echague attempted to storm the CubaE
intrenchments, Colonel Reyes was wounded
in the left arm Paralysis followed as
result OF the wound, and Colonel Reyes is
row going to New York for medical treat
ment ard also to carry dispatches from
Maceo to the Cuban junta.
While at Jacksonville Colonel Reyes was
the guest of J. A. Huan. the Florida repre-
sentative of the tunta. and graphically de-
scribed to the Philadelphia Press oorre-
spondent the recent military movements
in Pfnar del Rio.
"WeyIers campaign against Maceo." said
the colonel. has been a complete failure,
and that Is why the captain general re-
turned to Havana. 1t was known in Ha-
mention the fact. that Weyler's campaign
had failed and there was great danger of
an outbreak.
Special couriers from Havana brought
the news to Weyler of the threatening sit
uation in Havana, and the captain general
Immediately left his army and hurried back
to the capital. Maceo does not believe
Weyler will teke the field again. There is
now great danger of a demonstration in
Havana in favor of the insurgents. and
Maceo believes that Weyler will not dare
to leave the capital.
In describing the battle Of Rubi noun
tain. Colonel Reyes IVES most graphic.
'@Weyler" said the colonel planned his
attack carefully. He divided his forces into
three columns One under General Munoz
of 900 men, one under General Echagua,
n himself
commanded the third column of Il. 900 men,
"Macso was aware of Weyler,s plans and
prepared to meet the attack. He had about
5000 men and occupied a strong position.
In front of or intrenchments there were
number of dynamite mines. These dyna-
mite mines were in charge of John Lind.
Jacksonville boy. who Is chief electrician
OF Maceo's army.
The Spanish Attack.
''The Spanish column under Muno4 ad-
vanced first to the attack. When the
Spaniards got in good range we opened fire
and cut great gaps in their ranks. Urged
on by Munoz. however. the Spaniards still
advanced. and 1t seemed likely that we
would have to fight them hand to hand,
when there was an awful explosion that
shook the mountain and entire companies
of the Spanish column shot UP in the air.
I'm moment we realized that John Lind
had exploded the dynamite mines More
than 100 Spaniards were killed outright and
twice that number were wounded. Nearly
every man killed was almost literally torn
to pieces. and hundreds Of the wounded
were frightfully mangled. The Spaniards
who were unhurt fed down the mountain
in a panic. / am sure in the attempt to
carry the mountain the Spaniards lost 200
men in killed alone
AT night Maceo. learning that Weyler
would again attempt to storm the position
directed to withdraw the intrenchment
further west. Two days later a second line
of intrenchments were attacked by Cen
eral Echasue with 10000 men. The Span
iards repeatedly charged. but in every case
we're repulsed with terrible loss.
In this battle John Lind used his dyna-
mite gun. which the Three Friends recently
delivered to Maceo. with terrible effect At
one discharge 1 am certain more than a
hundred Spaniards fell. After the battle
had lasted nearly three hours, General
Echague's leg was nearly torn of by a
She'll and then the Spaniards fell hack.
I'm this second attempt to crush Maceo