The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-08-13

Pitched Baftses i'm Cuba Won by
Reseis-Weyter. I'm Danger of
Capture. Forced tn Retreat.

NEW YORK. Aug IA special 10 the
Herald from Havana Via Key West says;
Further details have been received 81
the bettle near Aguacate, which is near
the MaiaBxas line. The lighting II was
first reported WAS In Natanzas province.
but IL WAS Just on this side. There IL no
doubt of the result OF the battle how
ever and Il conservative estimate places
the number of Spanish killed at 30, while
the rebel loss was comparatively tritiins.
Preparations for Gen. Weyiefs arrival
at the palace Were made on Monday. bat
he has only Just returned from the field
He left Matanzas on Sundsy and reached
Aguacate the next day. IL WAS there
that a rumor came that he was wounded
in the bsg fight near there bul the state
ment proved to be false.
The excit ement in Havana is intense.
The uncertainty reea riding the new MIN
istry in Spain is partly TO blame. and on
top of this there comes the news of A big
irsurgent victory between Aguacate and
Madruga and also Of pitched battle in
the vicinity of Sagna La tSrande. The
advance guard OF Gen. Gonez has cross
ed into Matanzas. Whether he is close
cannot be aseerta.ned with certainty, but
Il is reported that he declined the night
at Sagua La Grande.
The largest battle that has taken place
In several months Was the one fought 1T
Aguacate Ii was the result of an at
tempt TO capture Gen. Weyier or kill him.
The captain general had made prepara-
lions 20 return on horseback from Matan-
zas to Havana. Along the road he hid
posted three columns OF Spanish soldie q.
Gen. Castillo learned OF hts plans AMI
gathered force OF fully I 90 rebels This
force he hurled against the Spanish lines
rear Aguacate. where Ger. WeTler WIS
supposed to he. Gen. Castillo command
ed the insurgents in person and the Span
ish under were Gen. Molina The colonel
is reported dead. but later accounts ere
to the effect that both Gel. Aldea and
Gen Molina were wounded.
The battle began about o'clock in TIE
afternoon and continued until night set
in. The Spanish were ranked along the
open road ana the rebels approached
them from the rear. coming from the
hills. A body of cavalry was stationed
about a quarter of mile down the roa1
TO cut eff Weyler, If he should be there
and attempt 20 seek safety. The details
Of the actual fighting are meager. but
many reliable persons who passed near
the place. which is beside the railroad
station say that from the carriage win
dows they could sec many dead soldiers
along the road. The rebels used rapid
firing guns.
When darkness came the Spaniarls re-
tired to return the next morning with
heavy reinforcemeuts but the insurgents
only opened fire for about half an hour
end then disappeared. They divided iato
small bands and subsequent pursuit was
futile
Information has also been received Of
the big fight near Sagua La Grande II IA
said the town was attacked and that
portion of II was buried But this has
not been verified Correspondence from
the field. however. proves shat there has
been a battle there Gen. Gomez IN person.
IL is said. directing the insurgent opera
tons.
After the fight al Aguacats. Cen. Wey-
Ter fell back upon Guanabacoa. Just across
the bay from Havana. The rebel chiefs.
Col. Arnaguran and Gen. Rodriguez vera
in the district and Gen. Weyler expected
q raid.
Gen. Weyler arrived az Guarahacoa with