The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-10-09
From the New York Sun.

From the New York Sun.
1t has been the writer's privilege and
pleasure during the last year to study
In the camp and on the field of battle
the leaders of the cuban revolution. AS
to which may be the greatest, 1t does
not matter now Time and the historians
of the future will decide that point. But
General Maxine Gomez, as commander
in-chief of the insurgent forces, is today
the center of interest The eyes of the
civilized world are watching him. Suf-
fering Cuba is looking to him to free her
from her oppressors. His staff adores
him. The rank and file of the army ad-
mires, fears, and worshps him. ON cv-
cry hand you hear "Maximo uomcz has
never yet been defeated I'm battle" True,
he has often retreated before the enemy
but If followed, he has invariably placed
his sharpshooters In ambush, divided and
countermarched his column, outtlanked
the over-conident Spaniards, and, by fall
ing unexpectedly on their rear, turned APP
parent defeat into victory. Time and
again during his wonderful march from
the "Oriente" to Pinar del Rio this strata
gem was successfully practiced until
Campos, in warning to his officers, once
said: Look out for the old fox when he
commences to fall back
Napoleon never more completely en-
joyed the confidence of his followers than
does this wonderful strategist. Even raw
recruits fight well under Gomez 1t is
said that no man ever tlinched, no mat
ter how thick the bullets flew, while Go
mezs eye was on him. At the battle of
Saratoga he hastily gathered 800 men to
meet the advancing column OF Castellan-
os on its way to the relief OF Guaymaro.
When the commander-in-chief arrived in
Camaguey he had with him only his per-
sonal escort of sixty men, his army hav-
ing been left in the West with Macco.
This little body of $50 men met, defeated,
and drove back the $500 Spanish troops
under Castellanos in spite of artillery
and unlimited ammunition in the hands
of the enemy. The fight last four days.
The Spanish fired 5000 rounds, the in
surgents l., 900. Three hundred and twen-
ty-two of the peninsuar force were
buried between Saratoga and the city of
Puerto Principe The Cubans lost sixty
five killed and 1873 wounded. True. the
Cubans had the advantage of position.
They always have Fewer than a hun
dred of General Gomezs forces had ever
before been under fire, but no men ever
fought more calmly and courageously.
The eagle eye of Gomez was on them,
and by his presence and personal mag
netism he made these raw recruits fight
like old veterans.
STERN IN DISCIPLINE.
1t was in this battle that Brauolio Penl
won GomeZ's everlasting esteem and the
tite of "Camaguey's Fighting Colonel
While General Suarez, through his fail
uic to come to the front with 400 rein
fcrccments, met the robul;a ana disgrace
which afterward caused his death.
1t was noon of the second days fight
when Colonel Pena and his escort of
thirty men. hungry and overheated, rode
into General Gomezs presence.
where can you use me and my men,
General?" asked the painting Colonel
you look worn out" remarked Gen
eral Gomez
Perhaps, but our guns are in good
order" replied the Colonel.
You had better get a bite to eat before
going into action" suggested Gomez.
"Our appetitcs will be better after we
have burned a little powder" pleaded
Pena.
But you have ridden all night" urged
Gomez.
'Yes, general, we have ridden seventy
miles to reach this battle We have used
up sixty horses to get here We are tired
and hungry, but we have been listening
to the sound of the Spanish cannon since
daylight. We have lived for the last tir-
teen hours on the hope of taking part in
this fight. For Gods sake. general, don't
stop US now that we are in sight of the
enemy
Il won't" replied Gomez. Take pos
session of yonder hill to the left and hold
it until you get orders to abandon your
position
II had to send an orderly twice" Gem
eral Gomez afterward told me, before
! could get Pena and his men off that
hill. The Spaniards had almost surround
ed it when he discovered that he had
barely time to cut his way out and re-
treat"
Poor Suarez net his overthrow at the
same time. The day after the battle he
rode into Gomezs camp with 500 men.
He had been but six miles away during
the fight but had failed TO appear. Co
mez looked at him for a moment in un-
disguised contempt and then commenced
TO study the surrounding forest trees
why are you here?' Gomez finally
asked.
II came to "eport," answered Suarez.
"After the ttle?" asked Gomez
II could no each you sooner"
you could neither cross nor go around
those hills?" inquired Gomez
my lpractico guido could not find the
way
Con " motioned the guide, who stood
near, , approach.
"Ar you an honest man?" asked the
Eener
DctH so DTOuSnl up, answered
the y ,dttico.
you know the trails in the Najassa
district? ?"
81 do, general"
you could have conducted that man
TO me, could you not?"
Il could have led his column to you two
hours after the battle began but General
Suarez seemed to prefer ways other than
the most direct"
Enough! He is General Suarez no
longer" Turning fercely upon the lat
ter he continued: on needed no guide
to bring you here. The sound of battle
is sufficient to lead any soldier to the
front Six miles only separated your
command from mine. No true Cuban
would have slept until he had Joined his
comrades. You are not patrot-you are
n coward. Your men bow their heads i'm
shame for you. You are disgraced and
degraded Quit my sight before I hang
you for "A cur. Go to the government; let
1t deal with you; you will get no mercy
from me-"
AN HONEST MAN.
General Gomez is loyal in his likes. but
bitter and relentless in his hatred. That
which most eXcites his ire is to discover
a man trying to profit by Cubas distress
Heaven help the officer found disposing
of any privilege for private gain. NO