Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-01-16

10 determine.
Havana, January 15-The cause Of
the heavy artillery firing heard yescer-
day N the direction of Bejucal, south
of this city and about half way between
Havana and Batabano, remained a
mystery until about noon to-day. It
now appears that Gen. Lanares, com
mand:ng a strong force of Spanish
troops, moved from the vicinity of Man
aqua, Santiago, Rincon and Salud, upon
Bejucal, upon learning that Gomez's
forces had attacked Bejucal, and were
repulsed by the garrison of that place
after five hours fighting.
Not satisfied with this cepulse the in
surgerts prepared to make a second
attack yesterday upon Bejucal. But
by that time, not only had the garrison
been strongly reinforced, but the Span
ish troops, commanded by General
Linares had taken up we'll chosen and
concealed positions IN the vicinity. The
insurgents were allowed to get within
a short distance of Bejucal and then the
garrison opened fire upon them. This
was the signal for The Spanish force
to unm2sk its batteries and heavy
artillery and rife hre was poured into
the insugent ranks. Tle enemy was
taken completely by surprise, came to
a halt, feebly returned the fire OF the
Spaniards, then wayered, broke and
fed.
The insurgents are said to have been
commanded by Gen. Maxine Gomez in
person, while Gen. L.nares was in per-
sonal command Of the Spanish troops.
The rOut OF tne Insurgents 5 reported
to have been complete and Their loss
IS said to nave been heavy, the artl-
leTy men
KEEPING UP THEIR FIRE
as long as tne Insurgents were IN SIGHT.
ln.S version OF the ana-r Is seml-oIii-
cal.
General Linares is reported to have
started IL pursuit OF Gen. Gomez with
all the Spanish troops available in the
ne.ghbornood Of BsJucal, but as the in
surgents are mainly mounted men and
the spanish troops in that vicinity are
nearly all infantry and artillery there
is nc, much prospect OF coming up with
the fleeing enemy.
1t became known to-day that Gen.
Gomez had narrow escape from be
ing captured shortly alter ne executed
his coun;er-march in the province. Of
Pinar del Rio and made once more for
the borders OF the province of Havana.
He was in the ne:ghborhood OF Las
Mang3s southwest OF Artemisa.
/, is sad that the principal object Of
Gomezs attack upon Bejucll and the
other places south of this city IS to Gre
ate a diversion under which his leu
tenant, Gen. Antonia Macao, may retire
from the province of Pinar de. Rio.
But, it is claimed, the Spanish general
VIII be able TO pursue Maceo and pay
attention to Gomez at the same time.
insurgenJ commanders before the sec
Ond army, now moving westward
through the province OF Santa Clara,
can effect a junction with the insurg-
ent forces in this vicinity. When last
hear from the second insurg MT army,
under Generals Jose MaceO, Rabi and
others were believed to be pushing on
through the Sagua la Grande district
Of Santa Clara towards the border of
Matanzas. Efforts are to be made to
check its progress at or about Colon.
The eastern army of The insurgents is
said to be carrying with it stores of
arms and ammunition for the equit-
ment of recruits that Gomez and Maceo
were compelled to leave behind, owing
to the .ack Of arms.
THE DAMAGE DONE
by the insurgents in the province Of
Pinar del Rio is described as enOrm-
Guns. They are said to have destroyed
all the railroad bridges and all the cul-
verts on the line of the railroad run
ming from this city, through Guira Me-
lena. Artemisia, Candelaria. San Girls
tobal. Paso Real, and Consolation to
the city of Pinar del Rio, in addition to
sacking a number of towns, burning
plantations, plundering houses and do
ing other damage north and south Of
the railroad line.
Gen. Maceo is supposed to have pass
ed through the district of San Diego de
Nunez and TO have moved toward the
northern coast in the direction of Las
Posas. La Mulata, Rio BlancO, and
San Cayetano. At that point he was
said to have turned south, and to have
passed through Consolation del NOrte.
and Whales. His present whereabouts,
according TO current TumOr IS in the
immediate vicinity Of the town of Pnar
del Rio. and he is said to have the in
tenton of making an attack upon it.
Pinar del Rio is strongly fortified, well
garrisoned and provisiOned and addi-
tional earthwOrks about it have recent
ly been thrown up, in anticipation OF
trouble with the insurgents.
Maceo. however, is said to be under
the impression that he can use dyna-
mite with considerable effect against
Pinar del Rio. This is denied by mill
tary men here, who are acquainted
with the nature of the defenses Of Pinar
del Rio and it is said that he viii more
likely pass around Pinar del RiO to the
westward. and effect junction with
the insurgent bands believed to have
been collected in the mountainous dis
tricts west and southwest Of Pinar del
Rio.
The latter have for some time been
kept in check by the Spanish troops;
but it is understood soldiers may be
Withdrawn temporarily in order to To-
inforce the Spanish columns which will
make an attempt to prevent Maceo and