The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-12-22

New York. Dec. 2L-Fofowing is the
Cuban version of the battle fought at
yacta ford. on the Cauto river, on Dec.
Il last. The details We're received through
the mails by Captain Alfredo Rodriguez,
q. Cuban insurgent officer, who is inval-
ided in this city 1t tells OF a crushing de-
feat inflicted upon the Spanish general,
Pando. Captain Rodriguez's correspondent
says:
"A part of General Calixto Garcia's
force. under Lieutenant Colonel Salvador
Rios. was holding the Yacta ford of the
CautO river. 1t Was important for Pandos
forces 10 reopen the river. i'll order that
measurements might be sent to the city
OF bayam0, bes:eged by General RolOm.
General Cdlixto Garcia S main force was
= little further up the river, projecting a
ford threatened Icy General PaIldo. Gen
eral AldaVe. in command of 1000 Spanish
infantry, regulars, u squadron of caval-
~ and 5000 Suerrila volunteers, - cannon
and SIX light Sunboats, attacked Rios.
HOT FIRE OPENED.
Disposing his artillery on the hills COM
man0lng the Haeta ford, AldaVe opened
a hot ire on the insurgent works on the
opposite side OF The river Rios and his
$40 CubanS retired into the cover OF the
wOoGs and the ford was open for the
'Aldave advanced a column of infantry
across the ford, holding their rifles and
ammunition belts above their heads, the
men being protected by continual ar
ulery ire. Rios, seeing that he could
not hold his position without help, sent
a volunteer courier, Lieutenant Charles
Hickman, an American, TO General CalX-
TO G2rcia, uD the river hickman had
to ride directly through the enemy's fire,
but made the passage safely.
PANDo's FEINT.
meanwhile, General Aldave landed 1,5O0
moro men on the further SIDE. and Gen
eral Pando with i large force. at this
time made q TENT upon the upper fofCt.-
General Garcia, deceived by Pando's
movement, decided that he could spare
only a small reinforcement to Colonel
Rios, ana sent Colonel Carlos Garcia with
onls- 2UD mounted men down the river.
This reinforcement. small as it WAS, re-
neWe1 the hopes OF The defenders OF the
1acta and they charged the Spanish with
the bayonet.
The Cubans, however We're so heavily
outnumbered that they were forced TO
give way. Carlos Carcass horse was shot
from under MN, and Colonel RloS was
wounded slightly in the leg. Colonel Gar
cia's escort renewed the charge with
machetes this time and held the Spanish
forces in check for a short while.
SPANISH CONFUSION.
BY that time General Calixto Garcia
had seen through General Pando's felnts
on the upper ford and despatched General
Jesus Rabi with LOCO cavalry TO their re-
lief. These arrived just as the Spanish
We're recovering from the machete charge
and fell suddenly upon their rear, throw
ing the troops who had crossed the ford
into confusion The Spanish had to give
ground ana became exposed TO the fire
from their own artillery in the hills and
from the six gunbo2ts which had Joined
in the bombardment of Rios men.
Gen AldaVe ordered this destructive
fire to cease reformed his attacking party
and dispatched a message TO General
Pando for assistance III carrying the
Cuban position
TOO LATE.
But it was too late The Cubans re-
forming raised their battle shout of "a
la Nachete' Cuba libre" and fell upon
the Spanish ranks with terrible effect. \
body of 1000 guerrillas was cut off from
Aldave's force and threw down their
arms.
ed loyaity OF these volunteers, told them
they must fight their own comrades or
be cut to pieces, and they obeyed and
really fought desperately on the Cuban
general Aldave. seeing that his men
would be annihiatec, withdrew them
across the ford, again protected by the
artillery fire. General Pando. with an
escort rode down from the upper ford
and directed tne Spanish TO retreat.
LOSSES
1.-The Cuban loss in this engagement
was LEG killed and about 800 wounded.
General Rabis men found 200 Spanish
dead and General Al0aYe in his report
to Havana, said his wounded numbered
200 The Cubans believe they have in
lilcUed much more damage that the Span
iSh troops carried away many OF their
dead and minimiZed the number of
wounded, reporting only one-fourth.
Among the Cubans killed was Major
Lelada and Captain Garcia. son OF 4
rich planter. The Spanish left on the
field Lieutenant Colonel Have. Two cap
tains and one assistant surgeon. and the
standard OF arms of the battalion
uanarOs.
General Garcia promoted Hickman. the
daring courier, TO captain on the field
AN ARMY NEEDED.
"Pando has reported to General Blanco
that 100000 men are needed TO break the
backbone of the insurgent opposition in
the east. and that it is no longer practical
bic to continue the campaign to relieve
BaEamo.
This city General Garcia expects to
capture early in January, being now able
TO detach troops from his command to
send to Rolon's aid
CAPTAIN Rodriguez has also received
news that General Maxine Gomez has
crossed the JahoHYu river at Ciego de
AVila and has continued or his march
TO effect a junction with General Rod
rigueZ.
FAILURE OF AUTONOMY.