The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-13
FIERCE BATTLES IN CUBA.
Armed with Only Machctcs the Patriots
Rush Upon the Spanish square and Try
Heavy.

Rush Upon the Spanish Square and Try
In vain TO Break It-Thcir Losses
Heavy.
Havana, Feb. IA dispatch received
here from Santa Clara. capital of the
province of that name, from General
Oliver. the Spanish commander In this
district, announces that heavy de-
feat was inflicted on the insurgents,
under Seratin Sanchez and 'Mirabel.
two of the most important insurgent
leaders outside of the province of Ha-
vana. The following details of the en-
gagement have been received here:
General Oliver, hearing that Serafin
Sanchez and Mirabel. at the head of a
numerous force of insurgents. We're
moving on Camajuani, ordered Colonel
Lopez, at the head of 800 cavalry and
infantry, to leave Remedies. northeast
of Camajuani. where the troops were
in garrison, and to engage them.
The Spanish troops met the advance
guard of the insurgents stationed at
Pal Prieto. The latter opened fire
upon the troops as soon as the soldiers
We're well within range. For some
time the Spaniards did not reply, wish
ing to get within better shooting dis
tance before engaging the insurgents.
When the Spanish column was well in
hand and In battle formation. Colonel
Lopez ordered the attack to commence.
This was done with effect. Il sharp and
well directed fire being kept up by the
troops until the advance guard of the
insurgents retreated upon itsmain body
after having replied vigorously.
lIarrasscd by Sharpshooters.
The Spaniards continued to advance
over difficult ground. the insurgent
sharpshooters keeping up harrassing
fire as they retreated. But when the
troop sreacheda a large open space Of ter
ritory having high ground to the right
and left front. the insurgents suddenly
appeared in strong force tOVhe right
and left of the troops and another body
of the enemy, afterward ascertined to
be a strong reinforcement of insur-
gents. under Leoncio Eidel and Be
tancourt, moved upon Colonel Lopez's
force in the center.
Colonel Lopez was thus In danger of
being surrounded by much superior
and well armed force of insurgents.
He ordered the troops to form square.
This was done under fire of the enemy
and. eventually, the insurgents charged
upon the square from three sides with
machetes. the rear of the Spanish
column being somewhat protected by
q stone wall and natural defenses in
the shape of thick brushwood, and a
ravine difficult to cross
The insurgents charged with the
greatest courage. in spite of the fire of
the troops. waving their machetes in
the air and cheering for Cuba. Their
first attack was repulsed. but they
were not long In returning to the charge
with the same gallantry. This time
the insurgents reached almost up to
fha SnaniGh p,tt
they We're driven back. this time in
disorder. The insurgent leaders made
another attempt to rally their forces
and q small body of insurgent cavalry
was led to the attack for the third time.
But when about a dozen of their horses
had been shot down. throwing the
whole force into confusion. the insur-
gents retreated for good. afteri how
ever, keeping up for nearly an hour a
scattering fire which was severe enough
to prevent the troops from pursuing the
enemy.
When the Firing Closed!
1t was not until 5 o'clock in the af-
ternoon that firing ceased and fatigue
parties We're sent out to gather up the
insurgent dead and wounded while the
Spanish cavalry pursued the retreating
bodies of the enemy. The soldiers
found fOrty-e eight dead insurgents on
the field. and 1t was estimated by fairly
accurate count that the enemy carried
away 1870 wounded men. in addition to-
a number of their wounded who fell
too close to the Spanish square to p}'-
init of their friends carrying them off.
The Spanish cavalry i'm pursuing the
insurgents captured a number of cOun-
try people. supposing them to have in
formation regarding the movements of
the enemy The prisoners. after haV-
ing been questioned by Colonel Lopez.
were released. They say that the in
surgent loss is much greater than esti-
mated by the Spanish officers, as they
saw number of dead insurgents. ap-
parently men of Importance, being car
ried away by the insurgent cavalrymen
The country people also assert that the
number of wounded carried off by the
enemy was quite 200.