The Atlanta constitution., 1896-05-18

a band of Spanish Guerillas, led by Captain
Campillo This band had nothing to do
but commi, dcpreiatious and the Maceo
plantation was soon IN ruins. The buildings
were burned, the mules stolen and the te-
male members Of the family treated in an
outrageous manner. The father catcd MS
eleven sons around him. All were now
grown except Jose. Marcus Maceo eXacted
from each promise that they would not
lay down their arms until Cuba was tree
The blood of the MaCeo family now stains
the island from one end TO the other Ihe
father fell at the battle of st. Augustln.
Manuel. Fermin and Justice were Killed
IN tbe cast Raphail covered with wounds.
left the island to die as an exile Miguel
was killed 10y bayouet thrust at the
capture of Une Nitas. Julio was shot deau
in the engagement AT Nee No Muhuos.
FeIipe and Tomas are helpless crippies
from their wounds. while Antonio. Jose
and Marcus are still fighting.
Eis Early Military Career.
The military career of Antonio Maceo IS
sincularly brilliant. lie was about twenty
one years of age, when ne HISt t""s'V-'
Ills dauntless bravery led him to take
great risks and during the first twelve
months Of service ne received sixteen
of the twentv-one severe wounds uhat
marked his body at the close ol lhe zen
wears war. Within the year he had been
promoted TO the position OF major
Later, at the capture OF the town ol -
Arriba, the Cubans numbered ohly "oo' puO
led bv Maceo. the Spanish soldiers were
driven from the forts. For this Maceo
received the title of colonel. soon hter
Ia, met Brigadier Martinez Canpos at the
battle OF Ramos and through a SUBSEQUENT
campaign that lasted thirty days. % as-
eressive was Macco that scarcely a day
nassed that he did not seek an engagement
Monte
1,as Oercelv attacked by General Valera at
tho head of l.G00 Spanards. The cuban
leader had but $50 men with scarcely any
arms. and was forced to retreat. lie made
stand at Caobas and met the combined
forces Of Valera and CampoS. 1housh
driven from the field he did not order a
retreat until after a terrible slaughter OIL
a.'..,tarIe in the sweeping machete charges
had taken place Returning to headquar-
ters at Santiago with only remnant OF
bis forces Valmaceda, the captain general.
said to Campos:
..Oh, you pretend that all the glory was
on our side. That NAV be so, but the losses
were on our side also"
"Does your eXcellency suppose retort-
ed Campos. that those Cuuals u0' ~
ton bullets2'
Campos was offended at the rcpr1mand
and soon after returned to Spain
At the battle of ZarZal. where 2,oW span
lords were routed with great loss OF life,
NIsceo took n distinguished part. Al Santa
| Maria de Holguin, he charged the Spanish
line at the head of his picked horseiheh
| with such impctuous force that many
/ ,,ara cut down before the enemy couid Hre
! n shot. General CallXto Garcia was IN
! command but Maceo led the machete
! charge. The Spaniards left 400 dead on the
! field.
He Defeats Weyler.
Az this iuncture in his military career
/ Naceo was destined to meet his arch enc
my Wevler. Among the young brigadiers
/ Wevler had been sent TO the front and led
! a strong force against Maceo at the battle
I of Guaimaro. Weyler has cause to remem-
! her the prowess Of the Cuban, for he was
cornpletely put to rOut. leaving 500 dead on
! the field Weyler fed among his scurry-
4 ing troops and never stopped to look back
/ until he was safely within the Spanish lines
/ at Puerto Principe.
The battle of La Galleta is memorable on
the glittering pages of Maceo's military
record With 500 men he attacked the
San Quintin battalion. 9o0 strong, under
! the command of Colonel Yoyer. The Span
! ish lost 200 men and would have been com
/ pletely annihilated had it not been for the
\ timely arrival Of Lieutenant Tirso.
About this time Maceo was made "A major
/ general and with courage that almost
/ amounted to madness he engaged the
/ Spaniards in a series of brilliant and bloody
/ fights at San Filipe, Boragua. Hato del
| Medic, Sabana Miranda and Cayo Rey
/ At the last OF these Maceo nearly lost his
| life While endeavoring to engage the
| commander of the Spanish troops In a
| sword combat he received a bullet In the