The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-03-08
BIG VICTORY FOR
GENERAL GARCIA
Strong Spanish Force is Routed by the
Cuban Patriot.
COLUMN OF 1000 MEN is DISPERSED
His Army Makes Havoc Among the
Spaniards, who Leave About Half
Their Number Dead or Wounded
on the Field of Battic--Ono of the
Worst Defeats Spain Has Suffered.

Manzanillo Feb. %, via Havana,
March 7.-The Spanish column of Gen
eral Vara del Rey, 1000 men strong,
was defeated and dispersed two days
ago by the Cuban forces under com
mand of General Calixto Garcia. More
than 1000 Spaniards were left dead on
the estate Oostomada and the Eemain-
ing part of the column entred Manza-
milo in the greatest disorder, proving
how serious the defeat was.
In spite of the art of snatChng vic
tory from defeat, in which the Spanish
official reports so greatly excel, General
Vara del Rey is obliged to confess his
disaster, though finding an excuse in
the superior number of the Cubans and
the advantage Of their position. In his
report, known at Manzanillo, though
probably it will not be published in
Havana, he says that his column was
only 1,500 men strong and he estimates
the Cubans at over 5000 The Spanish
dead, he says, was 500, and he adds,
that Notwithstanding he was obliged to
retire, the losses of the insurgents We're
also severe.
The battle turned against the Spani-
ards when General Nara del Rey tried
to cross, ON his way to Manzanillo, the
river Buey, notwithstanding the heavy
ire from the Cuban rifles and two can
non, a twelve FOUNDER, which caused
terrible slaughter.
While crossing the river all was dis
order and confusion among the Spani-
ards. and they could not reply to the
volleys of their foes. Nearly all their
horses were drowned and they had to
abandon the more important part of
the convoy they were escorting.
A small bridge of wood of which they
availed themselves broke down and
with it one Spanish cannon sank to the
bottom of the river. Other cannon
were left on the shore and were cap
.ured by the Cubans.
on the other side of the river General
Vara del Rey found another Cuban
column waiting for him. In the state
of panic and confusion to which his
troops had been reduced the Cubans
could easily complete their victory.
NARROW ESCAPE OF DEL REY.
Vara del Rey himself narrowly es
capped being captured and he owes his
salvation to Spanish captain named
Quintero, who braVely protected him
with some hundred soldiers from a sud
den cavalry attaclI by the insurgents.
In this situation the Spaniards decid-
ed to abandon the remainder of the
convoy, which they succeeded in TAX
Ing across the river, and they hastened
their march TO Manzanllo.
AS the object of the CubanS was to
seize the convoy, the fight ended there
It lasted eight hours. The Spaniards
took two hours to cross the river and
they behaved with great courage dur
ing all the battle. Not a single Span
tsh soldier deserted. All who did not
reach Man2anillo were left killed or
wounded, on the field.
The battle was directed by General
CaliXto Garcia in person, though the
great success he obtained was i'm great
part due to the skill of his chief of
staff, Colonel Mario Menocal who re-
reived information about the path
which Nara del Rey had decided to fol-
ow, and planned the battle placing the
CubanS on both sides of the river Buey
General Garcia took command of the
first body and Colonel MenOCal of the
second, which made the last and de-
cisive attack on the other side OF the
river.
The Cubans captured 500 rifles, one
cannon, and 100000 rounds of ammuni-
ton, besides a large stock of provi-
sions for the town of Manzanillo
General Garcia controls the province
of Santiago de Cuba SO far that even
in the fortified towns and seaports,
where the Spaniards still hold out his
orders are obeyed. Only after paying
regular contributions to the insurgent
army are the merchants of these towns
able to import and sell their goods.
Bayamo is still in the hands of the
Spaniards but the Cubans freely COM
mumcate with the town. and the garri.
son dare not make any sally against
the numerous insurgent bands which
swarm around the place.
BOLD CUBAN RAIDERS.
Havana, Via Key West, March T.
On the night of March 4, about 8
O'Clock a band of Cuban patriots made
an irruption into the important town
OF Guines, Havana province, and with
heavy discharges of musketry, forced
the garrison to retreat into their bar
racks and the forts surrounding the
town, after taking possession of the
same they oVerran the town, setting
44AV ~ III lCtil llOuSeS ana SatklnS many
stores. After accomplishing their bold
deed they quietly left the town at g
a. m. The losses sustained by the
Spaniards was one killed and two
wounded, among the latter being the
commander. 1t is said that the Cubang
left three dead in the streets In or
der to appreciate the Importance OF
the deed ii is necessary to know that
Guines has population now of 16 .OOC
souls, and the garrison exceeded p 900
Yesterday the parties of FREDERICK. Nu-
neZ and Emilio Loran, 200 strong, sur
prised seventy laborers of the sugar
estate Neptune" near Marcel Pinal
Del Rio province, in the act of cutting
cane. All of them We're held prisoners
for couple of hours and finally re.
leased, after depriving them of all theil
clothing.
About p. m. on March .. a party OF
rebels entered the town of Lascanas
Pinar Del Rio province, looting a store
burning at their departure thirty-ont
nuts and many stores were also sacked
me military commander with forty
men OF the garrison and a section o,
volunteers reDulsed the Insurgents
Forcing them to abandon the town. TIL,
rebels in their retreat fired a few shot,
at the troops, but no harm was done