The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-09
BATTLE in THE RUBI HILLS.
Spanfards Trapped and Badly
Whipped by Cuban Insurgents.

Spanfards Trapped and Badly
Whipped by Cuban Insurgents.
NEW YORK, Dec. S-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. According
TO the Press this morning, It throws a diff
ferent light on this fierce engagement in
which several hundred men were killed.
from that given by the Spanish, who have
been loudly proclain1ing unquestioned
victory for their side. Lieutenant Colonel
Gabriel de Cardneas arrived in this city
week ago. He was badly wounded while
fighting on the Cuban side. Published ac-
counts of this battle heretofore" said the
colonel to a reporter "have been incorrect.
principally, Of course, because they came
from Spanish sources. This is the news l
received in a private letter to-day: ON Nov.
% General Mayria Rodriguez received word
that General Maxine Gomez was advancing
from Las Villas in Santa Clara province,
with two divisions of four thousand men.
General Gomez ordered General Rodriguez
to pass General Parade and his army and
join the Gomez forces in Havana province.
This meant a battle, of course, and Gen
eral Rodriguez at once divided his army
into two brigades. He was at the head of
the first brigade, and the second, one thou
sand strong, was under command of Colonel
Pedro Daz 1t was well that he started i'm
mediately, for General Parade, with seven
thousand Spanish troops, was even then
pursuing Colonel HermanoS DucaSSe to-
wards the Rubi hills.
After several small engagements, which
the Spanish heralded a series of brilliant
victories, the Ducasse forces gained posi-
ton that was practically impregnable. In
the rear were the Rubi hills, while morass
protected one side. At dawn on Nov. q
the great battle was fought. When General
Parade came up with his army he found
Ducassi awaiting him. The Spanish forces
consisted of five thousand infantry and two
thousand cavalry and guerrllas They
threw themselves on the body of Cubans
under Colonel Ducassi, and at the same
brigade, caught up with the Spanish rear.
aid fierce fighting began. The result or the
battle might have been in doubt had not
Colonel Pedro Diaz arrived at this juncture
with the second division of the Cuban
+ forces. Hemmed in between morass and
mountain and attacked by three strong bod
les of CubanS, when they expected to
meet only one, General Parade too late
saw the pit he had fallen into. The Span
ish artillery was soon silenced and for a
time it looked like a rout What that meant
with Cubans at their heels Parade we'll
knew He kept his forces together and held
withdrawn into Havana province, leaving
the field in possession of the Cubans.
"Of the Spanish troops three hundred
were killed and many more than that num-
hundred of the Spanish troops, three pieces
of cannon, many small arms and the Span
ish standard. The Cuban loss was likewise
heavy, but not so great Ninety-tWo We're
killed in battle and twelve afterwards died
from wounds, while almost three hundred
were wounded slightly Parrados retreat
towards Havana left the way open for
General Rodriguez to continue his march
and join Gomez. What the purpose of this
movement is will be known some time about
the middle of this month.