The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-27
THE SPANISH SIDE.
Reports That Have Passed the
Government Censor.
SEVERAL LIVELY ENGAGEMENTS
The Insurgents Said 70 Be Routed,
While the Spaniards Lost Only
Seventeen Men.

New York, Jan "a special TO thu
World from Havana says: Numerous re-
ports have been received OF skiru1isnes M
d.catsng unusual maneuyer!ng On both
sides in Havana province. Detailed re-
ports are also coming In OF Gen. Luques
operations IN Pinar del Rio province
against Maceo. Almost continuous ngnt-
ing for three days Is said 20 have resulted
in the retreat Of Maceo's forces. The Sc
yersst engagement in that province so Tar
was al Taconas, between Pinar del Rio
and Coloma- on the couth coast Gen Luz
ques learning on January Is that some
rebels were three miles from the city.
marched against them with 800 troops, IN
Guiding artillery and a squadron OF cav
airy He found the insurgents IN strong
positions on hills on both sides OF the road.
He led his main forces along the road d.
rectIy toward the strongest position occu-
pied by the rebels. The cayalrymen as
mounted, II is stated, and opened heavy
fire They were soon assisted by infantry
and a battery OF artillery. A battalion OF
infantry advanced still under heavy fire
The rebels could not stand the on
slaught," the report alleges. and all reured.
this time keeping up running nre. Ine
insurgents were all mounted, so II was
impossible to make a bayonet charge, and
they were favored by underbrush and
broken country and the rebels succeeded
in gaining shelter. The official report tells
OF the splendid advance OF the Spanish
troops" who preserved their rank as IL
they were marching at guard mount
Gen. Luques was equally successful in
dislodging the rebels. on the right OF the
road. the report says. The main body of
the insurgent forces then united to resist
the Spanish advances, whereupon five COM
panies of artillery opened fire upon the COM
patriots of 5000 insurgents. spreading great
havoc. Gen. Luques, according 10 the oHt-
ciai report "went TO Hernedez' assistance
at this time. attacking the insurgents lett.
The action lasted from 9:l5 to n:30 a. m,
and four rebels were found dead The
Spanish also discovered several wounded
and some horses astray. plainly iIadlcat-
ing severe rebel losses"
The rebels are said to have been COM
manded by Antonio Maceo and Besmudez
The insurgent leader, Gayoso. is reported
to have been wounded. After LuQues had
attained his object, driving the rebels
from a position where they were threaten
ing the road to Coloma," he retired with
all his forces TO Pinar del Rio" hearing
that 1.-THE enemy had been demoralized and
being DESTROYS of again meeting Maceo.
Gen. Luques left the city quietly at
daylight the next morning, and meA the
skirmishers near the same battle-ground
they had retired from" Gen. Luques at
tackled right and left, while a third de-
tacnmSnt, executed q movement Oh llc
rebel rear" The Spanish columns lines
Of battle were then clearly drawn, and
there was heavy and continuous firing"
both sides suffering. Spanish surgeons
were seen crossing from place 10 place
under a heavy fire. Gen. Luques sue
ceeded in checking a left flank movement
by the enemy, who fought desperately"
Col. Hernandez ordered bayonet charge.
His force was fired upon. but without an
swering the enemy. He took position
In the woods. again engaging the enemy,
killing some and forcing a retreat" Then
taking another position, ''the well pro-
teoted enemy prepared for an encounter"
Gen. Luoues replaced two battahons, but
was unable to utilize his artillery" He
charged the rebels ''in dense underbrush.'
and the rebels reiterated. crossing the riv-
err, Col. Hernandez following and ha-
RAISING them with cavalry ''on the other
side OF the river" The Spanish now
found themselves in possession OF the
rebel camp" and in figuring up ascertain.
ed that The Spanish loss was seventeen"