The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-01-27
At Habana Gates.
Daring Insurgents Capture
Spanish Officers.
The People Parslyzed By Auda-
city Of the Move.

J2O. Ai.-I d6SenSe!o Cy TUE OHVe''e
report that the most daring deed ever
done by the rebels duriog this war was
performed by the dasbiog leader, Nes-
tor Araoguepscommaudiog the cubao
forces 10 HaBana proviuce. When the
news reached Habana Sunday morning,
the people were thuuderstruck The
sensation was tremendous. the Spao
iards were furious AID the Cuoaus
elated at the boldness aud courage dis
played by the young leader at the very
gates of Habana.
The occurrence referred to happened
as follows:
The train leaving Regla station,
opposite Habana. at 10 r. m.. was de
rallied a kilometre and a half on the
way to Gunabaooa by two dead cattle
placed on be road Fifty men, lying
10 waiting instantly, With leveled guos
and drawn machetes. ordered all to
remain quiet. The civilian passengers,
especially the ladies, were politely
assured that 90 harm would be doDe.
The men were deprived of bats sod
coats. No other theft was committed
All the military meo were ordered 20
leave the train. Oae escaped by hang
ing from toe car window aud another by
striking blow on the jaw. Telling his
captor. Corporal Francisco Venso.
offered resistance. was given Eve ma
cAete cuts and serious y wounded Two
muIa,toes, dressed 10 6eemen's suits,
tried to escape aud one %as killed
The other was seriously wounded.
The engineer and fireman we're ais,
ordered 20 leave the train and follow
the rebels, but were released after
short distance, When all the prisoners
we're together. the rebels started to
march distance Of about kilometre.
where Araogueo. wi b the main oody
OF his men, bad renamed waitiog
As soon as joootion was formed the
whole body disappeared The oamcs
of the capsnred are Captain Res Sori-
aao, Joaquin Otero. Ansouio Feruau
deg !; First Lieusenass Tomas Gonzales,
Ricardo Betancourt. Autooio Perez
Martinez Second Leusenauts Jose
Marrero, Jose Vilasco. Pho Gil, Beruar-
do Barros, four soldiers and a brake
man, 10 all Is persons 10 order to
appreciate the Importance of the deed,
it is necessary to know that it took
place three minutes ride from Regla.
opposite the last houses Of the town, 10
full view of Habana aud only 100 yards
from Spacisb detachment Of 25 sol
diers. close to the switching station Of
the branch road TO Matanzas There
are 30 bushes. but open fields for
long distance aud it vas clear moon
light nigcs
The Spanish. officers adult that Aran-
gun's tactics were wonderful and say he
calculated With mathematical precision
They admire the audacity and reckless
ness displayed.
Monday morning the report reached
Habaoa that all had been released. With
the exceptions of Barros aud the brake
mao. A reaction of sentiment at once
followed. Rabid Spaoiards were vexed,
and the Cubaus joyful over Araogueu's
mastery diplomatic stroke 1t showed
that the rebels coutioued their humane
policy. despite trovocation offered by
Spanish atrocities sufficient to tax the
patience Of aoy people on earth Lib
eral Spaniards are enthusiastic over
Arauguen's action. They say it gave
them a lesson 10 Spanish chivalry.
The released officers are full of praise
of the treatment they received. Which
was most kiodly and courteous. They
refer to many instances of delicate at
teo.ioo. The best food gas given. No
harsh words we're used ror offensive re-
marks made They had friendly con-
versa:ion with Araugueo. in which the
Cuban question was discussed Arao
gueu trying 10 quiet way to convince
them that Spaio's efforts to crush the
revolution we're powerless before the
Cubaos' determination to fight 10 the
eod. accepting 90 compromise They
admired the organization Of Arauguea's
forces, whose drilling was perfect.
They admit there is nothing similar 10
the Spanish ranks. They mentioned
as a curious fact that the leaders adju-
taps. a lad Of II years, has already
been pierced through the body BY a
Mauser bullet. They detail thei. ad-
venture as follows:
They marched all night ADD arrived
early 10 the morning at the Sau Luis
camp, ne-~ Campo Florida: There
their captain took the names Of all aad
held council Of var They :ouHd
that Barrros was Coban and decided
to haog him as traitor to his country
and the brakeman as spy. The OH
GERS we're not present at the council,
nor did they witDess the eXecu'ioa