The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-22
CUBAN VERSION
OF YACTA BATTLE
Details Received Through the
Mails by Capt. Rodriguez.
CRUSHING DEFEAT OF PANDO
AldaYe Opened Hot Fin : Insurgents
With ArtIE
PATRIOTS RETIRS =aNDER COVER
And a Column ,ss,Anish Infantry Was
Orde. S1to Follow.
CHARLES uICKMAN AN AMERICAN
And Column Q ,,,,-4nish Infantry Was
0rde. ITO Follow.
CHARLES HICKMAN, AN AMERICAN.
Rode Through the Enemy's Fire and
Brought Succor From Garoia's Force
to the Insurgents Who Were Be-
sieged in the Woods.

New York. Dec. H.-The following is the
Cuban version of the battle fought at Yacta
Ford, ON the Cuban river on December 15
last. The details were received through
the mails by Capt. Alfredo Rodriguez a
captain in the insurgent army, who is in
valided in this CITY, 1t tells of a crushing
defeat inflicted upon the Spanish general
Pando. Captain Roderlguez's correspondent
says: "a part of Gen. Calixto Garvia's
forces under Lieutennant-General Salvador
Rios was holding the Yacta Ford of the
Cuban river. 1t was important for Pando's
forces to reopen the river in order that
re-inforcements might be sent to the city
of Bayamo, besdeged by General Roloff.
Gen. Calixto Garcias main force was
little further up the river, protecting the
ford threatened by Pando. General Aldave
in command of 1000 Spanish infantry (regu-
lars and a squadron of cavalry and 5000
guerilla volunteers, twenty-five cannon and
light gun boats, attacked Rios.
Dispensing his artillery on the hills sur
rounding the Yaeta Ford Aldave opened
up hot fire on the insurgent works on the
opposite side of the river. Rios and his
force retired into cover of the woods and
the ford was opened for the Spanish pas
sage. Aldave ordered a column of infantry
across the ford, holding their rifles and
ammunition belts abave their heads, the
men We're protected by a strong artillery
fire.
Bravery of an American
Rios, seeing that he could not hold his
position without help, sent volunteer
courier, Lieut.. Charles Hickman, an Ameri-
can, to Gen. Calixto Garcia up the river.
Hickman had to ride directly through the
enemy's fire, but made the passage safely
Meanwhile Gen. Adave landed 1,50) more
men on the further side and Gen. Pando,
with a large force, at this time made a
feint upon the upper ford. Gen. Garcia,
deceived by Pando's movement decided
that he could spare only small reinforce
ment to Col. Rios and sent Col. Carlos
Garcia with only 200 mounted men. This
reinforcement, small as it was, renewed the
hopes of the defenders of the Yachta, and
they charged the Spanish with the bayonet.
The Cubans, however, were sorely outnum-
bered and they were forced to give way.
Carlos Garcia's horse was shot under him
and Col. Rios was wounded slightly. The
Cubans renewed the charge with machettes
and held the Spanish force in check for a
short while. BY then Gen. Calixto Garcia
had seen through Gen. Pando's feint on the
upper ford and dispatched Gen. Jesus Rabi
with 900 cavalry
'"rhese arrived just as the Spanish were
recovering ground from the maehette
charge and fell upon their rear, throwing
the troops which had crossed the ford into
confusion. The Spanish had to give ground
and became exposed to the fire from their
own artillery in the hills and from the six
gunboats which had joined in the .bombard-
ment of Rios men. Gen. Aldave ordered
the fire to cease, reinforced his attacking
party and dispatched message to Gen.
Pando for assistance in carrying the Cuban
position. But it was too late, the Cubans,
reforming, raised their battle shout of
"Al machette! Cuba iibrer and fell upon
the Spanish ranks with terrible effect A
body of 1000 guerilla was cut off from
Aldaye's force and thew down their arms.
Gen. Rabi knowing the half-hearted loyalty
of these volunteers told them that they
must fight their own comrades or be cut
to pieces, and they obeyed and really
fought desperately on the Cuban side
"Gen. Aldave, seeing his men would be
annibilated withdrew them across the
ford again protected by the artillery. Gen.
Pando with an escort, rode down from the
upper ford and directed the Spanish re-
treat.
Arrival of Cavalry
1.-THE Cuban loss in this engagement was
106 killed and about 300 wounded Gen.
Rabi's men found 200 Spanish dead and
Gen. Aldave. in his report to Havana, said
his wounded numbered 200. The Cubans
believe they inflicted much more damage;
that the Spanish troops carried away many
of their dead and minimized the number OF
wounded, reporting only one-fuorth Among
the Cubans killed were Maj. Llnaid and
Capt. Garcia, a son of a rich planter me
Spanish left on the field Lieut.-Coi. Law.
two captains and an assistant surgeon ana
tho standard of arms of the battalion
Ianoros
"Gcn. Garcia promoted Hickman, the
daring courier, to the rank of captain In
the field.
"Pando has reported to Gen. Blanco that
100 900 men are needed to break the back
bone of the insurgent opposition In the
east and tina. 1t Is not practical to con-
fine their advance west of Bayamo. Gen.
Garcia will now be able to send assistance
to Gen. Rodriguez.
Capt. Rodriguez has also received news
that Gen. Maxine Gomez has crossed the
Japonica river at Sicgo del Arila and has
J <7enat atohed aeeifsance to Gen. R0dcrlguex.-'