The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-15
Fearful Slaughter Among the
Besiegers and the Spanish
Soldiers.
CAVALRY LEADER BANDERE
KILLED.
By Gaining Such a Commanding Po
Sition the Patriots May Now
Obtain Recognition.

NEW YORK, N. Y, Jan. 14-News
which, if correct, is more important than
any since the death of Maceo, was received
in Cuban circles tonight 1t was that
the town of Santa Clara, sometimes called
Villa Clara, had fallen to the insurgent
army, but that with the charge which
resulted in victory the intrepid cavalry
leader, Quentin Bandera, was slain.
Gomez, it was said, is now pushing on
toward Havana with an army OF 600
men.
This news was not given out at the
Cuban Junta. 1t came from private
sources. 1t has not yet been confirmed
from official sources, but that is not
strange considering that the death of Ban
dera is blow to the Cubans which almost
offsets the capture OF Santa Clara. The
first news of the death OF Maceo came in
the same way, and it was a long time
before the truth broke through the trocha
of official denial.
The news comes with circum stantiaI de-
tail most convincing. Besides, the dis
patches from Cuba for some time have
forecasted exactly such a stroke. The vic
tory puts the insurgents in a command
ing position, and the eyes of the world
will be upon Gomez. 1t can no longer be
said that they hold no important town.
Santa Clara is the fourth largest city in
the island, already holding nearly all of
Cuba excepting the seacoast.
The capture of Santa Clara puts the in
surgents on an entirely different basis at
Washington. The commander of the gar
rison at Santa Clara was the Governor
General of the province, NJ jor- General
Luque He had had a garrison of 5000
men, but now had only 1000. Gomez de-
cided TO invest the town, which contains
population OF 90 900, and was we'll fortified.
The infantry under General Rabi was
sent to the west of the city. The cavalry,
of which there were 1000 wel-equipped
men under General Bandera, were sent to
the other three sides, the main strength
being concentrated Immediately to the
east. Luque sent out expeditions and
there were lively skirmishes on the 9th,
7th and 8th, in one of which Luque was
wounded. The W ole garrison had been
thrown into panic by the wou1ding of
their leader and by the fact that they were
surrounded.
Gomez decided at the time to strike
hard. He knew that the Notifications
were we'll nigh impregnable. He knew
there was cannon in every redoubt and
plenty OF ammunition. He knew that his
men would have to face a citadel at the
northwest corner of the city sixty feet
high from the top of which the Spaniards
would operate a Gatling gun as well as
keep up terrible rife fire.
Rabi with his infantry, was to attack
the town from the west at daybreak
Banderl, the dashing negro cavalrvman,
was to wait until the attention of the gar
rison was concentrated on the attack from
the west and then hurl his 1000 men on
the works in front of him.
General Rabi let out his men in the grav
of the morning of January q 1t was to
be only feint, but his men did not know
that. They opened fire, and keeping un-
der fire as much as possible crept closer
and closer to the enemy.
Behind stockades and earthworks the
~~Spaniards returned the fire, but those who
looked to the east just as the sun was ris-
ing saw dimIy the horses of the officers
OF the cavalry galloping from battalion to
battalion. Bandera sat silent with his
stan In front of the main works. There
was the clatter Of horses hoofs deepening
OF horsemen, each striving to be first 10
the outworBs.
Spanish rifles began to crack here and
there along the line of Notifications; then
the shots came faster and faster until
line of flame appeared in front of each
works. Now the cannon belched up. and
in the citadel Calling guns hurled its
leaden ram. In the face of the awful fire
not a Cuban faltered. Bandera kept in
the lead. His horse leaped over the near
est earthworks. He slashed at the fleeing
garrison with his machete. His men were
right behind him.
Horses fell all about wounded and
killed. throwing their riders headIong.
Suddenly Bandera's machete fell from his
hand. He leaned forward on his horse.
He swayed for a moment and then ton
pied over.
Members of his staff stopped and dis
mounted. They grouped their way in the
smoke to their chieftain, and found him
wounded in the abdomen. His surgeon
was among the first at his side. Tearing
open the duck suit, he saw in an instant
that the wound was mortal, so they
Y propped up his head and made him as
comfortable possible.
Earthworks, fortlfications, barricades,
gave way under the furious charge of the
1000 Many Cubans dropped on the way,
but che ranks were instantly closed and
the onslaught continued. In fifteen min
utes after Bandera fell the victorious
Cubans passed the last obstruction.
Tvarv Snaniard who had both leys left