The Red Cloud chief., 1897-01-01
DIR. ZERTUCHA.
HE DESCRIBES GENERAL
MACEO'S DEATH.
Ills Story q Graphic One-The Cuban Lead
er Declared to Have Been Killed In Open
Battle-Heroism Of Young Gomez-
Charges Of Jealousy.

publishes n long letter from DR.. Max.
imo ~Zertucha, General Maceo's physi.
clan, who mas been execrated as a
traitor. II Is dated az Melena del Sur.
Cuba, December 10:
General Antonio Maceo at 8 D. M.
December 4, accompanied by part of
his general staff - namely: Generals
Miro and Diaz, Colonies Nodarez and
Gordon, Majors Piedra, Justis Ahuma.
do and Penalver, Captain Sauvanel
and myself as surgeon of head
quarters, with four orderlics and Lieu
tenant Francisco Gomez, crossed the
military line between Mariel and Ma
jana at the former point. At 9 o'clock
the following morning we joined some
twenty-five cavalry men belonging to
Colonel Sartorius's command at Mos
quitos. On the 9Th we started towards
Bazaro. During our march some
eighty men OF Lieutenant Colonel Acos-
tas command were Incorporated with
u ranks. Together we went at o
o'clock that night to the grazing farm
(potrero) OF San Pedro, between Rincon
and Covea. There we met the forces
under Brigadier Sanchez and Colonel
Delgado, numbering some 400 men, all
cavalry.
ut was . o'clock in the afternoon OF
the next day when word came to our
camp that the cnemy's forces were
moving in our direction, following the
trail. We prepared for the engage
ment. The left flank was commanded
by the general of division, Pedro Diaz.
Thn rinhf xyop VtnxlA. &c., 4
Colonel Delgado and Lieutenant Colo
mel Acosta. Brigadier Sanchez took
command of the center.
HOW GENERAL MACEO DIED.
"Thc fight was under way when
General Maceo, accompanied by Briga-
der Miro, his adjutants, Justis and
S%auvana, and myself, started toward
the battlefield. Maceo issued orders
as he proceeded. He then took his po-
sition at n point outside the sphere of
active operations, but, all Of the ene-
my's fire suddenly centering upon that
point, 1t was lead rather than air that
we breathed there. General Maceo
moved forward to within 500 PAGES of
q stone fence, behind which the ene-
my's infantry was intrenched. Bripa-
der Miro was to the right and |
to the left of General Macco. He
raised his sword and saying to Briga-
der Miro: This goes WE'LL fell as il
struck by lightning from the horse he
was riding to the ground. I was on
the spot at once, examining his wound.
A Mauser bullet had entered the right
side Of the chin, causing a fracture of
the lower jaw in three places, coming
out OF the left lateral side at the base
Of the neck. The bullet in it's course
tore the carotid artery, bringing on a
mortal h~emorrhage, which caused
death In a minute.
THE moment General Maceo was
wounded I called to his assistance
those who accompanied him. On being
told however, by Brigadier Miro and
Major Justis that they, too, were
wounded, l compelled them to get out
OF range of fire. A trooper, whose
name ! regret not to be able to remem-
Der, came to my aid. He helped
me with great bravery under the Sc
we're fire to raise the body of the gen.
The trooper was at that mo-
mont wounded in the thigh. Bullets
were pouring over my head as l re-
manned intrenched behind the gen
erals horse, by the side of his body.
HRRoIsM OF YOUNG GOMEZ.
"At that moment l saw 'Panchito'
(as we called the son of Major General
Maxine Gomez before me. He had
been wounded in the left shoulder
an engagement we had had on
December 8 between Cayakaboas and
Colanos. His arm was in q sling. He
said to me: i will help you, DOCTOR
We again raised the body Of Maceo
aud placed IL upon the horse. He
CPanchitoO took hold Of the horses
bride, while / held the general by the
feet. Then we started toward q gate,
which was the outlet to the Enclosure
we were in. 'Panchito' was then
struck by q bullet. 1t pierced his
shirt and coming out at his right side
shattered his elbow. He
sank to the ground. / went to his as.
and General Maceo's body fell
from the horse. What to do then l
knew not. The enemy was advancing.
! begged, / bcseeched Gomez to let me
carry him on horseback out of that
place. Nothing would avail to per-
suadc. he would reply to every APP
HS"i' Lev thc BeHcrdi De Carried u
l will CO.
Then almost crazed, l galloped on
generals horse toward our forces,
which owing to the incidents of the
engagement, was at a fair distance off.
| met Brigadieo Sanchez and informed
him OF what had happened. He
voided issuiag orders, giving excuses
and doing nothing. Then / sought
another chief, that brave and honest
Pedro Diaz. Hearing what l had to
say to him and fastening to do his
duty, was the work of an instant. The
enemy had advanced. 1t was neces-
'ary TO dislodge them and then we re-
the bodies of General Maceo
snd Lieutenant Gomez. Had the latter
lied from wounds he had received In
chest and arm? No, he was stabbed
the left side near the breast. He
had over his forehead also a machete
wound which had divided his skull.
cho bodies had been stripped of their
'hoes, stockings, side arms and jewelry.
lat 7 O'Clock that night the bodies
we're taken to o shed ON the grazing