The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1896-01-20

furnished in 1868 to the support Of Stan
sh authority Pedro Perez, one OF the
richest Cubans Of his day, organized and
mounted ut his own expense the Guam
tanamo Squadron. a superb body OF
hoTSomcn, who spread terror among the
Insurgents whenever they swept down
upon them. when all Cubdus we're de-
prived OF arms in 1878, an exception was
made by the crown in favor Of this squad
ron. which, as a token of reward, was
kept in service and supplied with arms
and ammunition. 1t was me purpose of
General de Campos upon landing TO place
this squadron in front as tribute 10
Cuban loyalty, and to let them esCt TT the
Spauish colors on to Havana.
There Was Fighting Ahead of Him.
Great was his CONSERVATION at the
opening battle of Joyita TO lind the Guam
tanamo Squadron, commanded by the
son of the old leader. heading the charge
of the insurgents against the Spanish
center which they broke and Iut the
army TO flight Ry this time De Campos
began to realize that there vas fighting
ahead for him. and ta&t Spain would have
TO rely upon her own resources. His next
stand was at Peraliia, whence he vas
driven by the rcGOubtable Naceo, VINO cap
tured his guns, horses and ammunition,
and was thus enabled TO place his own
troops upon better condition. De Cam
the insurgent capital OF Cuba during the
last revolution. There he received mes
sage from Muceo not 90 trouble himself
about the wounded and dying as the i'm
surScnts were able u take care of them
as well as to run the Spaniards out Of
the country. De CampOs. with mock
g.llautry Of his race, acknowledged this
consideration by setting at liberty all
the political prisoners Of the district OF
MasSdViNO
An Aggressive War.
Thus WAS lreed the mountain provinces
Of Santiago dc cuba, witn the exception
of the port city. of the presence of Euan-
ish troops, and at this period it may be
said that the war was on in earnest Co
n.ez had joined Tie insurgents. and lad
come to the decision that 10 remain in
INTO mere guerrilla warfare and
operations, and that the true policy would
be 20 push On to Havana. The next pro-
vince, that OF Puerto Principe. being the
broken foothills from the mountains OF
SANTIAGO, was watered by numerous
streams on the sides of which were verdant
valleys, on which roamed thousands OF c3t-
tie and horses, ard in whose snail fields
was grown the grain which fed the island
4 country more resembling the blue grass
reEion OF Kentucky would De hard to find
This province, then. the meatshup and the
sianary Of the country. was essential as a
L''ae oi operations. It's possession would
not only put the Insurgents in possession OF
al the supplies they needed, but would
harass the Spaniards by cutting off theirs.
To aid him the warm season w,ts az hand
ard the raw recruits from Spain We're un-
ahie 10 take the field yellow fever was
q t6c 'fI7d II "a iuJj De -sr,0 fa;tt
as yet the fun extent a his future plans
had shed itself upon the mind of Gomez.
but finding II necessary 10 burn tine Wiz
la-e of A.td Gracia upon his march
through Puerto Principe 10 the capital, be-
cause OF the hostility of the inhabitants, it
became apparent 70 him that one way to
hight was TO cut off the enemy's supplies.
and render il impossible for HIM 10 raise a
revenue.
The Advance to Puerto Principe.
The burning Of Alta Gracia was the
starting point which warned Spanish parti-
sans in the country that they must ,ake
care of themselves. Gomez advanced, and
while refusing 10 meet the Spaniards in
open fight in the city of Puerto Principe,
so disposed his forces as 90 prevent the in
PRODUCTION Of supplies The city was cur
off from butter milk ana country produce
for man and beast reduced 10 a state of
siege as calling and annoying as though
cannon frowned upon them from every
side. The insurgents also supplied them
selves with horses and exercised in cavalry
tactics until they became quite proficient