The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-23
AS HEARD FROM HAVANA.
AN UNSUCCESSFUL SEIGE OF THE
FORT All GUAMO.

Rebels Cut or the Water supply OF
the Garrison when They FaiI to
Take the Fort by StOrm-A Protest
From Home Against WeyIer's
WantOn Destruction of PIanta-
tiOn PrOperty-General Pin Recall
ed-Other Cuban War News.
Havana, Jan. 22.-Upon the return to
Manzanillo of the gunboat Centnela,
after the sinking in the Cauto river of her
consort. the Relampago, by the explosion
of a torpedo planted by the rebels, orders
were given for a force of Spanish troops
to proceed to Guamo to relieve the be-
sieged garrison there, which had been the
object of the naval expedition, but which
had been frustrated by the loss of the
Relamapago and the death or wounding
of every man on both that vessel and the
Ceutinela, either through the explosion it.
self, or the subsequent rifle fire from the
rebels, who were ambushed on both banks
of the river.
The relieving expedition was
under the command of Col
Tovar, who. with his brigade,
marched along the left bank of the Cauto
river, meeting detached parties of rebels
at various places along the route.
AT Bayamo the insurgents were gathered
in strong force, but after a short engage
ment were driven from the town. The
Spanish force proceeded for Guamo where
they found that the insurgents who had
been attempting the capture of the fort,
had disappeared.
1t was learned that rebels had attacked
the fort on Jan. s. They were in two
columns, one operating from the right
bank of the river, being under the COM
mand of Calixto Garcia. and the other OPP
Grating from the left bank being led by
Rabi.
Many attempts were made to carry the
fort, by assault but in every instance the
garrison compelled the enemy to retire.
The insurgents had artillery and the pro-
jectiles from their cannon unroofed the
fort, but did no serious damage to the
| heavy walls of the structure.
Finding themselves unable TO capture the
Spanish position, the rebels determined ia
attempt to compel its surrender by cutting
off the supply of water In pursuance OF
this object trenches were dug in front of
the place from which the garrison obtain
ed its water and an detachment of rebels
were placed therein to prevent the troops
approaching.
The garrison, however, had sufficient
water to last until the rebels, evidently
hearing of the approach of the reinforce
ments, raised the siege and retired. Some
time before the enemy disappeared they
blew up with dynamite a barge that was
| employed as a pontoon for the passage o
! troops across the river.
The siege lasted fourteen days. The gar
rison lost three killed and eight wounded
while twelve were made sick by the close
confinement within the walls of the fort
the scant rations and short supply ol
meat.
Spanish brigade. under command ol
| Gen. Moin, which has been operating ia
| the vicinity of Zarabanada, in the pro
| vince of Matanzas, has had an engage
ment with several combined parties oi
| rebels The official report says the rebels
were defeated and routed. In their flight
many of them threw themselves into the
Habana river. and fifteen were drowned
and twenty-four perished by sinking IN
| the mud The troops lost two killed and
| seven wounded.
Gen. Weyler is now at Palos, in the pro
| vince of MatanZas.