The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-12-22
GENERAL PANDO DEFEATED
insurgents Nearly Crushed His Force
at Yacta Ford.
CuBANS GAINED RECRUITS ON FIELD.
said To Have Turned on Their
fol mcr Comrades.


the Cuban version of the battle fought
at Yacta ford on the Cauto river oh De-
ccmber lG last. The details were received
through the mails by Captain Alfred Rod
rlguez, Cuban insurgent who is an In
valid in this city IL tells Of a crushing
defeat inflicted upon the Spanish general.
Pando.
Captain Rodriguez's correspondent SAYS:
part OF Callxto Garcia's force under
Lieutenant Colonel saldayor was holding
the Yacta fort on the Caato river. III
was important for pando's force to reopen
the river In order that reinforeements
might be sent to the city Of Bayamo be-
gieged by General Rolof. General Calixto
Garcia's main force was a little further
up the river. protecting ford there sur
rounded. By Pandc. General Aldave. in
command OF 1000 Spanish Infantry, SQUAD
ron Of cavalry ana 5000 guerrilla volunteers
! twenty-five cannon and eight gunboats at
| tfi,kfd Rio D!sDOsing his artillery ON
! the hills commanding the Yacta ford. Al
! dave opened hot fire on the insufgent
! works on the opposite side Os tho river
| Rio and hts 300 Cuhans retired mo the
cover Of the woods aud the ford was oDened
/ for puasnEe. AldaVe advanced a column
OF Infantry across the ford, holding ths
| rifles and ammunition bolts above their
| heads. tho men being protected by con
/ linuous artillery Are. Rio. seeing that he
could moi hold his position without help.
/ sent volunteer courier. Lieutenant
| Charles Hickman. an American to CdllNto
Garcia, up the river. Hickman had TO ride
| directly through the enemy's fire. but made
/ tho passage safely. Meanwhile General AL
| dave landed 1900 more men on the farther
/ side and General pando with q large force
| made fcint ON the upper ford. General
Garcia deceived by Pando's movement. de-
! cded tina he could spare a small re-
! enforcement tu Colonel Rio and sent Coll
0ncl Carlos Garcia with only 200 mounted
men This reinforcement, small as II was
renewed the homes OF the defenders Of The
! Yacta. They we're sorely outnumbered and
| forced 10 give way. Carlos horse was shot
| from under him. Colonel Garcias escort
! renewed the charge with machete and
! they held their position for Il short while.
! ny then General CaiiXto Garcia had heen
/ through General PGndos feints on the nm
'-r.r ff-l' 0nd disuatched General Jesus Rlhi
with 1900 cavalry to their relief These
arrived Just as the Spanish were preparing
/ for an attack and falling suddenly on
their rear made them cross the ford in
confusion The Spanish had to give ground
/ aud became exposed to the fire from their
| own artillery in the hills and from SIX
! more companies OF Rios men. The Cubaus
( re forming raised their battle shout o
/ "A machete, Cuba Lbre' and fell npon
the Spanish ranks with terrible effect
body Of 1000 Euerllas wac cut or from
/ Alduves force and threw down their arms.
General Rah knowing the half hearted
loyalty of these volunteers, told them that
they must fight their own comrades ~
be cut to pieces and they obeyed and renl-
ly fought desperately on the Cuban side.
General Aldave seeing his men would
he aunihilated, withdrew them across the
ford again protected by artillery. Gem
4 .cral rando, with an escort came down
from the upper ford and directed tho
Spanish retreat,
Tho Cuban loss In this engagement was
ll6 killed and about 300 Wounded. General
Rabfs men found 600 Spanish dead. aud
General Aldavc in his report TO Havana
says his wounded numbered 200. The
Cubans say that the Spanish troops car
ried away many of their dead and miniiu-
ICED the number OF wounded. reporting
only one fourth.
Among the Cuhans killed was Major
Llenada and Captain Garcia, a son OF
rich planter. The Spanish left on the
held Lieutenant Colonel llaye two cap
tains and an assistant surgeon and the
standard bearer
General Garcia promoted Hickman. the
dashing courier, to the rank OF captain on
the field,
Pando has reported TO General Banco
that 100 000 men are needed TO break the
backbone OF the iusurgent uprising in tie
east and that it is no logger practicable to
continue the campaign TO relieve Bay
This city General Garcia expects to cap
tprc early in January, hoing now able
. 10 detach troops from his command to
send to Rolofis aid
Captain Rodriguez has also news that
Maxmo Gomez has crossed the Japouica
river at Cogo Avita and has started to
make a junction with General Rodriguez,