The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-03-26
TWO FORCES FIRE ON EAOh
OTHER, MAKING A SECOND
TERRIBLE BLUNDER.
OFFICIAL DISCLAIMER FROM SPIN
Anent Responsibility of Recent Fiery
Publication Said to Voice the GAP
inet's Views-A Letter From
Member of Gomez's Staff.


mistake. attended with loss of life ana re-
sulting in many soldiers being wounded
has taken place. In some manner uneA-
planned two columns of Spanish troops
opened fire upon each other at midday
According to the few details received mere
the columns of troops commanded py
General Godoy and Colonel Holguin, at
the Santa Rosa plantation. near Esper-
ANA, province of Santa Clara, mutually
mistook each other for insurgent forces,
owing, it is said, to the thickness OF the
sugar cane. Each detachment opened
fire upon the other, and for 10 minutes
shots were exchanged, resulting in the
killing of II soldiers, among them beng
Lieutenant Colonel Funmayo of the Ma
var battalion. In addition hve ofilcers
and several soldiers were wounded. Two
of the latter have since died; six others
MORALLY wounded, and 81 seriously
injured.
Lieutenant Colonel Funmayo died while
leading his troops on and shouting long
live Spain"
Owing to the fact that the meeting be-
tween the two columns took place at Md
day the explanation furnished by the
Spanish commander is considered unsat-
isfactory and court martial will follow.
Maxine Gomez has returned westward
from the province of Santa Clara and
was encamped yesterday at the planta-
ton of MoralitO, near Union de Reyes,
province of Matanzas.
Antonio Maceo is supposed to be at San
Diego de los Banos, province of Pinar
del Rio.
Enrique Poro Mata, an insurgent lead
er, has surrendered to the police of Car
denas, province of Matanzas.
The authorities of Cardenas have cap
tured Rafael Rorai and Casimoro Ponce,
who have been accused of conspiracy
against the government.
The explanation given for the capture
of the three boats loaded with arms and
at Earadero, near Cardenas,
is that COllaszO, who is understood to
have commanded the expedition, mistOok
the landing place and went ashore at Va
raderO instead of at the San Antonio
canal
General Bernal, in pursuing band of
insurgents near the grand Cienaga Occi-
dental de Zapata, south of the province
OF Matanzasj captured four and killed
one of the enemy. This band had burned
three barracks, three bridges and a num-
Der of huts
A skirmish between the troops and in
has, taken place ut the, Union
plantation. One thousand Spanish cav
alrymen were engaged. The insurgents
lost Il killed and retired with many
wounded. The authorities of Cardenas
nave found six more boxes of ammun-
lion, abandoned by the Collaszo expedi-
ton.
Full details have been received of the
burning by the insurgents of the town
or San Antonio de las Vegas in Pinar del
MO. An official report of the destruction
OF the town has been made from which
the following points are taken:
On the night of Sunday. March Is. n
numerous band of insurgents under the
leadership of Pedro Diaz Castillo in
vaded the town with the purpose of con.
verting it into heap of ashes and of
compelling the Spanish garrison to sur
'ender by smoking them out.
Ihe first part of the plan succeeded. max
ng paupers of thousands of industrious
who looked on with heart
'ick awe while their families hastily left
helr homes in the midst of the flames
md the fearful kissing of deadly bullets
seeking shelter in the wods.
The second part of the plan for the
.apture OF the garrison failed. though |
was frustrated only after bitter
truggle.. After pouring shower of bull !
cts into the ranks of the enemy through
Oopholes, Captain Gonzales ordered the |
Whole force of the garrison into the |
treets to- demolish the houses, which |
we're supplying food for the flames. This
,as done Immediately. The attacks by |
ne insurgents lasted for two hours. when
ne insurgents We're finally routed with |
eaVy loss, their killed and wounded be- |
" carried off with them when they re-