The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-01-12
San Cristobal Captured by the
Insurgents.
1T is a GREAT VICTORY
First Large Town That has
Been Taken by Them.
THEIR MOVEMENTS A MYSTERY
An important FiIibustering Expedition
From New York Lands on the
Coast of the Province of
Pinar Del Rio.
Pinar Del Rio.

Havana. Jan. 11.-There is consider
able mystery connected with the move
ments Of the insurgent forces around
Havana. They have caused much des-
truction in the province of Pinar del
Rio, burning number of quite import
ant towns, plundering trains, stores
and house and generally doing all the
damage possible. Frequently coils
ions between the troops and insur-
gents have taken place, and the latter
are reported to have had the worst of
it upon nearly every occasion. But,
the fact remains that they are still
in strong force around Havana and
that there does not seem to be any
immediate probability of driving them
away. The announcements that they
have been hugging the Northern coast
probably gave rise to the report that
they were expecting the landing OF an
expedition, probably from the United
States. with arms, ammunition ana
supplies.
III
NAV be realized for it is rumored to-day
that an important expedition, under
Gen. CaIixto Garcia, the veteran Cuban
/ leader who recently escaped from prls-
on in Madrid, and who was in New
/ York on November last, landed some
where on the north coast, probably IN
| the province of Pinar del Rio, on Wed-
nesday last. This, however, although
/ pretty generally believed, has not yet
been officially confirmed IL Gen:
/ Garcia had with him the supplies OF
/ ammunition, etc, awaited by the IN
surgents the Spanish commanders mere
claim that further and more impoitah
aggressive action on the part OF the
I enemy may be expected in the near
/ future, although they don't expect an
+ immediate attack upon Havana.
! Referring to the apparently ine%pn-
/ cable movement of the insurgents
since they almost completely surround
ed Havana, a Cuban who IS geheralIy
well informed regarding the doings
of the insurgent leaders, lntilnated
/ This evening that it was just possible
/ that the insurgents had passed INTO
! pinar del Rio in force with the view
! of drawing all the troops possible al
! ter them when the proper moment ar
/ rives. the insurgents would simulta-
neously countermarch and move SWIFT
lv uDon Havana from a number OF dlt-
! ferent directions In this city, he ADD
ed the friends of the insurgents would
Inv that time have completed arrange
rnepts to make Il demonstration IN
their favor.
The news reached here to-day that
an advance of the insurgents, under
the elder Nunez, had arrived at san
| Cristobal. the second town in import
ance in the province OF Pinar del Rio
and a little over half way between tins
city and Pinar del Rio, capital OF the
province of that name. Nunez, 1T APP
pears. entered San Cristobal on Janu-
arv 7th. and met with no resistance
although it was understood here that
the city was defended by large force
of Spanish troops. Therefore, 1t IS pre-
sumed that the Spanish forces were
moved away from San CTstobal IN
order to take part i'm the operations
against the insurgents. san Crlstooai
is the first large town captured by the
insurgents, and it is quite a victory Tor
them,
Guira Melna south Of Havana, and
not far from ArtelneSla,tl was dnnOuilc-
ed this afternoon, has received another
visitation Of the insurgents who did
much more damage and secured much
more booty.
In addition, at Renayides, the insuf-
gents have burned thirteen railroad
wagons and have looted the place
The steamship Nillaverde arrived
to-day from Santiago de Cuba, having
on board frjgadier-General Linarez,
and sletachme mt Of troops to reinforce