New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-07
BATTLE OF COCOROBO PASS.
FIERCE FIGHTING BETWEEN BRAZILIAN
TROOPS AND THE FANATIC FORCES.
THE ENEMY WE'RE WELL INTRENCHED AND
WERE DIsIODCED WITH DIFFICULTY-A
BRILLIANT CHARGE-GENERAL

SANAGIT WOUNDED
Rio Janeiro July 6-The Government has just re-
ceived dispatches giving the first full details Oh
the battle fought on June 20 in Cocorobo. near
Canudos between the Government troops under
General Savagt and the fanatics under Consei-
heiro. The Brazilian Government had organizer
an expedition to punish the religious fanatics VINO
In March massacred Colonel Morciro Cesar ana MS
troops. who had been sent to re-esablish order In
the districts disturbed by the emissaries of An
tonic Conselheiro.
About six thousand men under General Arthur
Oscar had been sent from the south to Canudos,
and General Savagit, with about five thousand
men, had gone to meet him, with d view OF
Joint attack upon the position OF the fanatics AL
Canudos General Savagit was advancing from
the east. The fanatics. having got wind OF the
movement. seat strong body to prevent the two
commander from enecting a junction, and 1t
only after a fierce battle that the Government
forces drove the enemy back The official report
of the combat is follows:
Cocorobo is a dry and barren field, about ore
thousand feet long and fifteen hundred feet wide,
the limits Of which two high rocks. between
them lying the only road TO Canudos. where the
fanatics concentrated their forces. On the top or
these rocks the revolutionists had erected walls.
from behind which they could easily inspect the
| road General Savagit who had received orders
10 reach Canudos through Cocorobo, and who well
knew the dangers of the passage, sent scouts to
examine the pass and nothing suspicious was
observed. ordered squadron OF lancers under
Lieutenant Pachcco TO 60 forward. They had no
sooner reached the pass than they found them
selves between crossfre from behind the rocks.
There nothing to be done but fall back, and
Lieutenant Pacheco hoped to be able to do this
with but little loss.
In the face Of this check General Savagt gave
the general order to advance. The advance guard
composed of the brigade OF Colonel Sierra Martins
forming shooting line and supported by the 35th
under Colonel Pedro Nory. went forward with
great bravery, but very slowly. owing to the WELL
directed rebel fire from the heights. Colonel Sierra
Martins asked for cannon. but the gun was OF
enough to reach the elevated position OF the IA
natics. A column of the 18th Battalion, under
rocks by storm but driven back with heavy
losses Then the shooting line which already had
the 35th Battalion. The combat. which began at
no a. OeR IN m the aOF wH
At ! p m the artillery arrived and the brigade d
Suar S0' With the wagons ago and woSnded At 80
General Savagit and his staff traversed the glade
rbe fire ' from the summit; Of the rocks The fields
and the pass were filed with dead and wounded.
moment the firing constantly increased. and the
peril OF the passage became more and more deadly
General Savagit turning to Colonel Carlos Telles,
make bsyone e attack otnerwse we can never
get of this Thermopyle." Colonel Telles gave
the word of command, with the 18th Battalion IN
afer fierce Gr 1sh Sf occupied the
pass and captured all the rebel positions. This
accomplished however. without heavy
losses the Federal forces losing fifteen officers and
more than five hundred soldiers killed. and more
than six hundred wounded.
Colonel Sierra Martins and his brigade, in spite of
the fact that they had already fought for four
hours acquitted themselves with distinguished
vaiur IN the bayonet charge. Soon after the be-
ginning of the battle Colonel Telles had his horse
shot under him. but he continued to fight on foot
until General Savagit sent him the horse OF Of
his adjutants. a few minutes later General Sava-
git wounded by bullet. Turning to his adju-
tant he said: Il proud to have the oppor-
tunity to shed my blood for my country. In spite
OF his PAIN he would not allow the wound TO be
dressed until the battle was over.
After camping all night near the battlefield. the
Government troops continued to advance to Canu-
dos. where they effected union with General
Arthur Oscar and his 600 men.
The Government. since receiving the foregoing
account of the capture of the Cocorobo pass. has
received further dispatch. which states that the
United forces under Generals Savngt and Oscar
are bomDardng the city of Canddos. which is
we'll defended. Antonio Consolhero has army
of $1,000 men within the Notifications, with
large quantities Of ammunition 1t tx reported that
General Oscar who is In supreme command of the
Cover troops. has asked for reinforcemeEts.
The election Of President of the United
States Of Brazil will take place on November Is.
The various factions are conducting an animated
ca rpaign 1t is believed that President Moraes,
who Is again a candidate will not be reelected.
but that General +. Glycerio. the leader IF tie
Jacobins. will be successful. In that case. even in
tho improbable event of Government tictory at
Canpdos, serious contingencies may ensue.