The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-15
Town of Santa Clara Cap
tured by CubanS.
Gomez Now Pushing on to
Havana With His Forces.
Many Killed and Wounded, Among
the Former, Quentin Bandera.

New York, Jan. 15-The Press this |
morning has the following: News which, |
az correct is more important than any
since the death Of Maceo. was received
In Cuban circles last night. IL was that
the town OF Santa Clara. sometimes
called Villa Clara. had fallen to the in
surgent arms. but that in the charge,
which resulted in victory, the intrepid
cavalry leader. Quentin Bandera, was
slain. Gomez. IL was said, is now push
ing on toward Havana with an army OF
$4,000 men.
This news was not given out at the
Cuban junta. 1t came fyom private
sources. 1t is not yet confirmed from
official sources. but that is not strange,
considering that the death OF Bandera
Is a blow TO the Cubans which almost
offsets the capture OF Santa Clara.
IL will be remembered that little news
came from Maxine Gomez during De-
cember IL was known that he had plans
for pushing into the west, but no word
came from him.
The news received last night was to
because he did not know just what to do
after he got half way between Puerto
Principe and Santa Clara. While he
hesitated word came to him of the death
of Maceo. Immediately afterward came
the news from Washington that the
greatest barrier in the way of recogni-
tion Of the insurgents by this govern
N ha NIL lv tnI
statement that the insurgents did not
hold single important town.
IL looked to Gomez Eike a crisis in the
affairs of his beloved island. IL he could
capture a city he felt that the local effect
would be tremendous. He decided to
take the risk. He learned that Santa
Clara's garrison had been weakened.
Troops had been sent out as escorts and
TO strengthen the garrison of the coast
towns. That fact and the fact that il
was nearer Havana led him to choose
Santa Clara.
The commS nder Of the garrison at
Santa Clara was the governor general
or the province, Major General Luque.
on Jan. 5, Gomez decided to invest the
town. which was we'll fortified, and had
a population of $4,000 inhabitants.
The Infantry under General Rabi was
sent toNhe west OF the city. The cavalry,
OF which there were 1000 we'll equipped
men. Under General Bandera, were sent
TO the other three sides, it's main
strength being concentrated immed-
ately TO thseast. Rabi, with his infan-
try. was to ATTACK the town from the
west at sdayoreak. Bandera, the dash
ing negrD oavalryman, was TO walt until
the attention OF the garrison was con-
centrated on the attack from the west
and then huri his 1000 men on the works
I'm front OF him. The attack was made
on Jan. .. General Rabrs men opened
fire. keeping under cover as much as
possible, and creeping closer and closer
10 the city. When he felt that the proper
moment had come. Bandera, crying.
"Avenge the death OF Maceo," started
,vrward with his command.
There was the clatter Of horses hoofs
deepening into a roar. On they went.
with two long rows OF horsemen. each
striving TO be first to the outworks.
Spanish rifles began to crack here and
there along the line OF Notifications.
The shots came faster ana faster. until
a line of flame appeared in front OF each
works Now the cannon belched, and up
IN the citadel the gatling gun hurled its
leaden rain.
In the face OF the awful fire not Cuban
faltered. Bandera kept in the lead. His
horse leaped over the nearest earth
works. He slashed al the fleeing garri-
son with his machete. His men were
close behind him. Horses fell all about
him, wounded and killed. throwing their
riders headlong.
Il, n fnn
his hand. He leaned forward on the sor-
rel. He swayed for a moment and then
topped over.
Twenty minutes after Bandera had
fallen a messenger came back with the
news that Santa Clara hsd fallen and
the enemy had been routed.
"And Luque7" asked Bandera.
HE escaped in valenta drawn by six
horses"
"Ah, well. let him CO." replied the gen.
eral. Il die content"
A shver ran through Bandera's body
and he was dead.
Most OF the Spanish garrison and Gen
eral Luque escaped to the south. Many
fell at the hands of General Rabi's men
The sun was not far up when the victo
rious Cubans were In possession. Come.
took the quarters Luque had occupied
and received reports of the battle
The news received said that the losses
were Spanish. estimated killed and
wounded. 600 prisoners. 800: cannon cap
tured. Is. battle standards g. rifles in TIT
Spanish arsenal. 5000. with plenty Of am
nunitlon.
Cuhans killed ard wounded 1900. whicl
Is coo more than the Spanish loss.
So tho occupation of santa Clara cos
the Cubans the death OF the best ncgr'
general next TO Maceo. and 1900 OF hi
brave followers.