The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-22
FIERCE FIGHTING AT A FORD.
GEN. PANDO MEETS WITH A CRUSH
ING DEFEAT.

insurgents HctnE Driven Back When
LOCO ReinfOrcements Sent by Gen.
CaliXtO Garcia Reach the Scene.
''A la Machete; Cuba Libre" the Cry
as They Charge the Spanish
Troops and Rout Them With Heavy
Loss.
New York, Dec A.-Following is the
Cuban version of the battle fought at
Yacta Ford, on Cauto river on Dec. IA
last The details We're received through
the mails by Senior Rodriguez. a Cuban
insurgent, who is invalided in this city
1t tells of crushing defeat inflicted upon
the Spanish general, Pando.
Capt. Rodriguez's correspondent says:
Part Of Gen. Calixto Garcia's force, un-
der Lieut.. Col Salvador Rios, was hold
ing the Yacta Ford of the Cauto river.
1t was important for Gen. Pando's force
to reopen the river in order that reinforce
ments might be sent to the city of Bay
amo, besieged by Gen Roloff. Gen. Ca
lixto Garcia's main force was little fur
ther up the river, protecting a ford threat
ened by Gen. Pando Gen. Aldave. In COM
mand of 2,O0O Spanish infantry (regulars),
squadron of cavalry and 5000 guerilla
volunteers, Y cannon and light gunboats
attacked Col. Rios
Dlsposing his artillery on the hills COM
manding the Yacta ford, Aldave opened
not nre on the insurgent works on the
opposite side of the river. Col. Rios and
his 500 Cubans retired into the cover of
the woods, and the ford was open for the
Spaniards' passage.
Gen. Aldave advanced a column of in
fantry across the ford holding their rifles
ana ammunition belts above their heads.
the men being protected by continuous
aruilery fire. Col, Rios, seeing that he
could not hold his position without help.
sent a volunteer courier Lieut.. Charles
hickman, an American, to Gen. CaIixto
Garcia, up the river. Hickman had to ride
directly through the enemy's fire but
made the passage safely
Meanwhile Gen. Aldave landed 50o
men on the further side and Gen Pando.
win a large force, at this time made a
rent upon the upper ford. Gen. Garcia,
deceived by Cen Pando's movement. de-
clded that he could spare only a small re-
lnforcement to Col. Rios, and sent Col.
Carios Garcia with only 200 mounted men.
This reinforcement, small as il was re-
newed the hopes of the defenders of the
Yacta, and they charged the Spanish with
the bayonet The Cubans however were
sorely. .outnumbered, and they were forced
to give way. Carlos Garcia's horse was
shot under him, and Col. Rios was wound
ed slightly in the leg.
col Garcia's escort renewed the charge
with naehetes-ahd- held the Spanish force
in check for a short while BY then. Gen
CaliXto Garcia had seen through Gen.
Pando's feints on the upper ford and dis
patched Gen. Jesus Rabi with 900 cavalry
to their relief These arrived lust as The
Spanish were recovering from the machete
charge and fell suddenly upon their rear
throwing the troops who had crossed the
ford into confusion.
THE Spanish had to give ground and be-
came exposed to the fire from their own
arulIery IN the hills and from the six gun
poats' which had Joined in the lombard
ment of Col. Rios men. Gen. Aldave or
dered this destructive fire to cease. rein
lorced mis- attacking party and dispatched
message TO Gen. Pando for assistance
in carrying the Cuban position.
But it was too late. The Cubans. re-
forming raised their battle shout of "a Ia
Machete! Cuba Librer' and fell unon tho
Spanish ranks with terrible effect. A bodv
OF lOo guerillas was cut off from AIdave's
force and threw down their arms cen
Rabi, knowing the half-hearted LOYALTY Of
these volunteers, told them that thew
might tight their own comrades. or be cut
to pieces and they obeyed and raa1I,
fought desperately on the Cuban side
zen. Aldave, seeing his men would be
ahhlhilated' withdrew them across the
ford again protected by the artillery. Cen
Pando, with an escort, rode down from
the upper ford and directed the Ssanisb
retreat.
The Cuban loss in this engaeersrt
was 100 Killed and about 300 wounded
Gen. Rabfs men found 200 Spanish dead
and Cen Aldave, in his report to Havana
SAID his wounded numbered 200. The Gu
pans believe that they inflicted much more
damage that the Spanish troops CARRIED
away many of their dead and ninirnixed
the number of their wounded. reDortino
only one-fourth. Among the Cubans kill
ed were May Llenada and Capt Garcia
a son of rich planter. The Spanish left
on the field Lieut.. Col. Lave two cantains
and an assistant surgeon and the stand
ard of arms of the battalion Llanaros
"Col. Rios promoted Hickman. the dar-
ing American, to the rank of captain of
the field
Gen. Pando has reported to Gen. BIan
co that it will take 100000 men to break
the backbone of the opposition in the cast.
Gen Garcia expects to capture Bayamo
early in January being now able to de-
tach troops from his command to send TO
Cen Roloffs aid"
Capt. Rodriguez has also received news
that Gen. Maxine Gomez has crossed the
Japnica river, a Ciego de Avila, and has
continued on his march to effect a iunc-
l. lD1.4