The herald., 1897-12-22
THE CUBAN
ACCOUNT
Of the Battle Fought at
Yacta Ford
A CRUSHING DEFEAT VISITED
ON SPANISH FORCES UNDER GEN.
PANDO
Conservatives Meet at Havana to De-
nounce Autonomy and Endorse
the Weyler Policy

Associated Press Special Wire
NEW YORK, Dec. 21.-Following Is
the Cuban version Of the battle fought
at Yacta ford on the Cauto river on De-
cember 14th last. Tho details were re-
ceived through tho mails from Captain
Alfredo Rodriguez, a Cuban insurgent
officer who Is invaded in this city. 1t
tells OF 4 crushing defeat inflicted upon
the Spanish General Pando. Captain
Rodriguez's correspondent says:
"A part of General Calixto Garcia's
force. under Lieutenant Colonel Saliva
dor Rios, was holding the Yacta ford Of
the Cauto river. 1t was important for
Pando's forces to reopen the river, in or
der that reinforcements might be sent
to the city of Bayamo, besieged by
General Roloff. General Calixto Garcia's
main force was a little farther up the
river, protecting a ford threatened by
General Pando. General Aldave, in
command of 20C0 Spanish infantry, reg
ulars, a squadron Of cavalry and 1000
guerilla volunteers, twenty-five cannon
and six light gunboats attacked Rios.
"Disposing his artillery on the hills
commanding the Yacta ford. Aldave
opened hot fire on the insurgent works
on the opposite side Of the river. Rios
and his 500 Cubans retired into the cover
Of the woods and the ford was open for
the Spaniards' passage.
"Aldave advanced a column OF In
fantry across the ford, holding their
rifles and ammunition belts above their
heads the men being protected by a
continual artillery nre. Rios seeing that
he could ont hold his position without
help, sent a volunteer courier, Lieuten-
ant Charles Hickman, an American, to
General Calixto Garcia, up the river.
Hickman had to ride directly through
the enemy's fire, but made, the pass
safely.
Meanwhile General Aldave landed
1900 more men on the further side and
General Pando. with a large force at
this time. made 'feiht upon the upper
fords. General Garcia, deceived by
Pando's movement, decided that he
could only spare 4 small reinforcement
to Colonel Rios and sent Colonel Carlos
Garcia with only 200 mounted men down
the river.
This reinforcement, small as 1t was,
renewed the hopes OF the defenders OF
the Yacta, and they charged the Spanish
with the bayonet.
1.-THE Cubans, however, were so heavi-
ly outnumbered that they were forced
to give way. Carlos Garcia's horse was
shot from under him. and Col. Rios was
wounded slightly in the leg. Col. Gar
cia's escort renewed the charge, with
machetes this time, and held the Span
sh forces in check for short while.
BY then Gen. Calixto Garcia had seen
through Gen. Pando's feints on the
upper ford, and dispatched Gen. Jesus
Rabi with 1000 cavalry to their relief
These arrived just as the Spanish were
recovering from the machsts charge,
and fell suddenly upon their rear throw
ing the troops who 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 bombardment Of Rios
men. Gen. Aldave ordered this de-
structive fire to cease. reformed his at
tacking party and dispatched a mes
sage to Gen. Fando for assistance in
carrying the Cuban position.
But it was too late. The Cubans, re-
forming, raised their battle shout Of
"A machete!" Cuba libre!" and fell
upon the Spanish ranks with terrible
effect A body Of 1000 guerrillas was
cut off from Aldave's force and threw
down their arms.
Gen. Rabi, knowing the half-hearted
loyalty of these volunteers, told them
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 that his men
would be annihilated, withdrew them
across the ford, again protected by the
artillery fire.
Gen. Pando, with an escort, rode
dowr from the upper ford and directed
the Spanish retreat.
'The Cuban loss in this engagement
was 10e killed and about 800 wounded.
Gen. Rabls men found 200 Spanish dead
and Gen. Aldave in his report to Havana
said his wounded numbered 200 The
Cubans believe they have inflicted much
more damage; that the Spanish troops
carried away many Of their dead and
minimized the number Of wounded, re-
porting only one-fourth
Among the Cubans killed was Major
Lelada and Capt. Garcia, a son of
rich planter The Spanish left on the
field Lieut.-Col. Have, two captains and
one assistant surgeon and the standard
Of arms Of the Battalion Ilanros.
Gen. Garcia promoted Hickman, the
daring courier. to captain, on tho field.
"Pando has reported to Gen. Blanco
that 100000 men are needed to break the
backbone Of the insurgents opposition
in the east and that 1t IN no longer prac-
ticabls to continue the campaign to re-
lieve BAyamo.
This city Gen. Garcia expects to cap
turs early in January, being now able to
detach troops from his command to send
to Roloff's aid"
Captain Rodriguez has also received