The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-10-03
SPANISH FORCES SURPRISED.
Insurgents Under Maceo Defeat Them
With Terrible Loss.
New Orleans, Oct. 2.-The Times
-. IL AA-.-A ....on.nL .--.-...

New Orleans, Oct. 2.-The Times
Democrats Key West special says:
Adyices received here from Havana
state that Antonio Maceo in his recent
attack on the Trocha inflicted terrible
losses on the Spaniards, more than
900 being killed and wounded. The
attack was made at night and was
carefully planned The fighting was
general all along the line, but was
fercest near Artemisa, where Antonio
Maceo led large force of insurgents
against the Spanish column command
ed by Gen. Arlas.
The Spaniards were taken complete
ly by surprise. They were reused
from sleep to find hail of insurgents
bullets upon them. Gen. Arlas and
his staff, half clad, rushed from their
headquarters and tried to rally the
Spanish troops who were panic-strick-
en- by the insurgents attack. 1t was
half an hour before even a semblance
of order could be restored to the Span
ish column, and during that time the
troops remained huddled together, an
easy mark for the bullets of the
Cubans 1t was during this period of
panic that so many of the Spanish
troops were killed. The insurgents
had several dynamite guns and these
were used with terrible effect, the
shells bursting among the Spaniards
and killing scores. The wounds made
the shells were frightful in many in
BY the shells were frightful in many in
to pieces. 1t is said that many Spans
ish officers were killed and that Gen.
Arlas was himself wounded.
After Gen. Arlas succeeded in rally
ing his men, he made retreat and the
Spaniards fell back four miles or more,
leaving the TrNocha, near that place, in
the hands of the insurgents Antonio
Maceo did not pursue the Spaniards,
but held possession of Artemisa until
morning when he retreated to his
stronghold. Before the insurgents re-
treated they demolished the section of
tihe Trocha near Artemisa, blowing
up the forfification with dynamite.
They captured six pieces of artillery
and many thousands of cartridges and
several hundred stands of arms While
the attack was in progress at Artemisa
Maceo's lieutenauts were assaulting
the Trocha with equal success on the
right and left with the attack raging
from Bahaia Honda on the North to
Makanda on the South and at all points
the strong line was demolished. Maceo
could easily have crossed with his en-
tire force, but it seems that he had not
such purpose in view. His object was
simply to demolish the Trocha so that
it would not impede mis- eastward
march when he desires to advance to
meet Gomez. Maceo's great victory and
tho faStq-11pfion of the gTrOcha has conn
pletely upset Weyler. 1t is said that
he acted like crazy man when the
news of the insurgents victory was
received. Nothing more is heard OF
Weyler taking the field in person.
The steamer Mascotte arrived from
Havana yesterday morning having
been detained by rough weather. On
board THE steamer was Sam. /. Tolon,
the American citizen who was arrested
some days ago ON an American steam
er in Havana, harbor, nd whose arrest
caused a quarrel between United States
Consul Lee and Capt. Weyler. it is
said THAN Consul Lee talked to WeyleF
in the harshest Tnfanner telling him
that he was abusing the patience of
the United States government by his
brutal treatment of American citizens
and that the United States would not
longer tolerate such conduct. Weyler
is said to have apolgized and imme-
dialtely ordered the release of Tolon.
Tolon is EN- route to Washington, where
he will present his case to the State
Department. and make claim against
Spain for $4,000 damages for his ar
rest.