The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-12-09


treat into Havana Prorince-Heavy Loss
on Both Sides.
New York, Dec. 9.-Inside information
of the recent battle in the Rubi hills in
the Cuban province of Pinar del Rio
has just been received In this city, 1t
throwns a different light on the fierce
engagement. in which several hundred
men were killed. from that given out by
the Spanish who have been loudly pro-
claiming an unquestioned victory for
their side. Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel
de Cardenas has arrived in this city
He was badly wounded while fighting
on the Cuban side.
Published accounts OF this battle
heretofore" said the conolel have been
incorrect, principally, of course. be-
cause they came from Spanish sources.
This is the news | received in private
letter today:
NOV. 26, General Myria Rodriguez re-
ceived word that General Maximo Co
! mez was advancing from Las Villas.
| in Santa Clara province, with two d.
| visions of 1000 men. General Gomez
| ordered General Rodriguez to pass
| General Parade and his army and join
the Gomez forces in Havana province.
| Divided His Army.
| This meant a battle, of course, and
| General Rodriguez at once divided his
army into two brigades He was at the
| head of the first brigade, and the sec
| ond, 1000 strong. was under command
OF Colonel Pedro Diaz 1t was well that
| al
Parade, with 1000 Spanish troops was
even then pursuing Colonel Hermanos
Duasse toward the Rubi hills.
After several small engagements.
which the Spanish neralded as series
of brilliant victories, the Ducasse forces
gained a position that was practically
impregnable. In the rear were the Rubi
hills. while a morass protected one side.
At dawn Nov. 27 the great battle was
fought. When General Parade came
up with his army he found Ducasse
awaiting him. The Spanish forces con-
sisted OF 5000 infantry and 1000 cavalry
and guerillas. They threw themselves
upon the body OF Cubans under Colonel
Ducasse, and at the same moment Gen
eral Rodriguez with the First brigade
caught up With tie Spanish rear ann
fierce fighting began. The result OF the
| battle might have been in doubt hac
not Colonel Pedro Diaz arrived at this
iuncture with the second division OF the
I Cuban forces.
Saw the Pit Too Late.
"Hemmed in between morass ano
! mountain, and attacked by three strong
! bodies of Cubans. when they expected
! to meet only one, General Parade too
late saw the pit he had fallen into
The Spanish artillery was soon silencec
and for a time 1t looked like a rout
! What that meant with Cubans at theil
heels Parade well knew. He kept hi:
forces together and held his grounc
until night Then his men were with
drawn into Havana province, leavins
the field in possession of the Cubans
"Of the Spanish troops 300 were killed
and more than that number wounded
The Cubans captured 200 OF the Spanish
I troops. three pieces of cannon. many
\ small arms and the Spanish standard
The Cuban loss was likewise heavy, bu
not so great; ninety-two were killed
| in battle, and twelve afterward dfec
from wounds, while almost three nun
dred were wounded slightly PARA
dos retreat toward Havana left TIT
way open for General Rodriguez to con
tinue his march and join Gomez. VIVA
( the purpose of this movement is VII
he known some time about the middi
Of this month"