The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-01-15
VICTORY FOR CUDANS.
Gomez Drives Spanish From Santa
Clara After Hard Fight.
Bandera, Cuban Leader, Killed
During Battle.
Insurgents Now Marching on 10 havan,
With $4,000 Men,

New York, Jan. 1.-THE Press this
morning has the following: News which,
AZ correct, is more important than any
since the death OF Maceo, was received
in Cuban circles last night. 1t was that
the town of Santa Clara, sometimes
called Villa Clara, had fallen 10 the in
surgent arms, but that in the charge,
which resulted in victory, the intrepid
cavalry leader. Quentin Baudera, was
slain. Gomez, IL was said, Is now push
ing on toward Havana with an army or
$4,000 men.
This news was not given out at the
Cuban junta. 1t came from prvate
sources. Ii is not yet confirmed from
official sources. but that is not strange.
considering that The death OF Bandera
Is blow To the Cubans which almost
offsets the capture Of Santa Clara.
Ii will be remembered that little news
came from Maxine Gomez during De-
cember. 1t was known that he had plans
for pushing into the west, but no word
came from him,
The news rec Ceived last night was to
the effect that he was not heard from
because he dit not know just what to do
after he got half way between Puerto
Principe and santa Clara. While he
hesitated word came to him of the death
OF Maceo. Immediately afterward came
the news from Washington that the
greatest barrier In the way of recogni-
tion Of the insurgents by this govern
nent was. the constantly reiterated
statement that the insurgents did not
hold single important town.
1t looked to Gomez like q crisis in the
affairs OF his beloved island. II he could
capture city he felt that the local effect
would be tremendous. He decided to
take the risk. He learned that Santa
Clara's garrison had been weakened.
Troops had been sent out as escorts and
10 strengthen the garrison of the coast
towns. That fact and the fact that il
was nearer Havana led him to choose
Santa Clara.
The commander of the garrison at
Santa Clara was the governor general
al the province. Major General Luque.
On JAM s. Gomez decided to invest the
town. whicI was we'll fortified, and had
population Of 10000 Inhabitants.
The infantry under General Rabi was
sent to the west Of the city. The cavalry,
of which there were 1000 well equipped
men. under General Bandera, were sent
TO the other three sides. it's main
strength being concentrated immedi-
ately to the east. Rabi. with his infan-
cry. was to attack the town from the
xest at daybreak. Bandera, the dash
eng negro cavalryman, was to wait until
the attention Of the garrison was con-
sentrated on the attack from the west
and then hurl his 1000 men on the works
on front OF him. The attack was made
on Jan. >. General Rabi's men opened
nre. keeping under cover as much as
possible. and creeping closer and closer
20 the city. When he felt that the proper
moment had come. Bandera. crying,
"Avenge the death OF Maceo," started
forward with his command.
There was the catter Of horses' hoofs
deepening into roar. On they went.
with two long rows OF horsemen. each
striving to be first to the outworks.
Spanish rifles began to crack here and
there along the line of fortifications
The shots came faster and faster. until
line of flame appeared in front of each
works. Now the cannon belched, and up
IN the citadel the gatling gun hurled its
leaden rain.
In the face of the awful fire not Cuban
faltered. Bandera kept in the lead. His
horse leaped over the nearest earth
works. He slashed at the fleeing garri-
son with his machete. His men were
Close behind him. Horses fell all about
him, wounded and killed, throwing their
riders headlong.
Suddenly Bandera's machete fell from
his hand. He leaned forward on the sor-
rel. He swayed for a moment and then
topped over.
Twenty minutes after Bandera had
fallen q messenger came back with the
news that Santa Clara had fallen and
the enemy had been routed.
And Luque?" asked Bandera.
He escaped in valenta drawn by six
horses"
"Ah, well, let him co." replied the gen.
eral. Il die content"
A shiver ran through Bandera's body
and ne was dead.
Most OF the Spanish garrison and Gen
eral Luq~e escaped to the south. Many
fell at the hands OF General Rabi's men.
The sun was not far up when the yicto-
rious Cubans were I'm possession. Gomez
took the quarters Luque had occupied,
and received reports of the battle.
the news received said that the losses
were: Spanish. estimated killed and
wounded. 800; prisoners. 7O0 cannon can
tured. IL; battle standards. 4: rifles in the
Spanish arsenal, 5000, with plenty OF am
munition.
Cubans killed and wounded, 1900. which
fs 600 more than the Spanish loss.
So the occupation of Santa Clara cos,
the Cubans the death of the best Negro
general next TO Maceo, and 1900 of his
brave followers.
Som.iiian Sentenced For Life
Havana. Jan. lb.-Yesterday, befor
the reassembled tribunal Magistrat
Maya read the charges brought agains
Louis Someillan. a native of Cuba, but a,
American citizen, whose trial on tn
charge OF rebellion against the govern
ment has just been ended. The charge
were considered to be In all instance
unfavorable To the prisoner. and Someil
han was sentenced TO Imprisonment 10
life. Scnor Mesa. counsel for the de
fense. will appeal to the supreme cour
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