Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1897-12-27
INSURGENTS Blo VICTORY


party over 800 delegates, said
90 represent 80 per cent. OF
tho wealth Of the island, were pres
ent. In all q speeches were made
against autonomy, all the speakers
agreeing that autonomy viii not pfahS
peace to the island as proved by the
protests OF members OF the Cuban
iunta in New York and the recent
death of Colonel Ruiz and five otner
Spanish commissioners who have
been killed by the insurgents.
New York, Dec. 22.-The following
is the Cuban version of the battle
fought at the Yacti ford Dec. Il.
The details were received throught the
nails by Captain Alfred Rodriguez,
a Cuban insurgent officer. 1t tells
of a crushing defeat inflicted upon
the Spanish General Pando. Rodfl-
guez's correspondent says: Part OIL
General Garcia's force under Lieu
.enant Colonel Rioz was holding the
Jacta ford of the Cauto river. 1t was
important for Pando's force to reopen
the river in order that reinforcements
might be sent to the city OF Bayamo,
Desieged by General Roloff. Carcass
main force was little further up the
river, protecting the ford threatened
by Pando. General Aldave, IN com
mand of 1000 Spanish infantry Greg
ulars), a squadron Of cavalry ana
1000 guerilla volunteers, ~ cannon
and six light gun boats, attacked RIOS
who with his 500 Cubans retired into
cover of the woods and the ford was
open for the Spaniards' passage. Rloz,
seeing that he could not hold his po-
sition, notified Garcia. Meanwhile
Aldave landed over 1900 men on the
farther side and Pando with large
force at this time, made feint upon
the upper road. Garcia was deceived
bv Pando's movement and only sent
Rioz 200 mounted men. This re-
enforcement, small as it was, renewed
the hopes of the defenders OF the
Yacta and they charged the Spanish
with bayonet. The Cubans, however,
were so heavily outnumbered that
they were forced to give way. Carlos
Garcia's horse was shot from under
him and Rios was wounded slightly
in the leg. General Garcia having
seen through Pando's feints on the
upper ford sent Gen. Rabi with
1000 cavalry to the assistance OF
Rios. These arrived just as the
Spanish were recovering their ground
from a machete charge and fell sud
denly upon their rear, throwing 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 gun-boats
which had joined in the bombardment
of Rios men. Aldave ordered this
destructive fire to cease, reformed his
attacking party and dispatched a
message to Pando for assistance in
carrying the Cuban position. But it
was too late, the Cubans reforming,
fell upon the Spanish ranks with ter
rible effect A body of 1000 guer-
rillas was cut off from Aldave's force
and threw down their arms. General
Rabi knowing the half-hearted loyalty
of these volunteers told them that
they must fight their own comrades
or be cut to pieces and they obeyed
and really fought desperately on the
Cuban side. Aldave seeing his men
would be annihilated, withdrew across
the ford, again protected by the ar
tillery fire. General Pando with an
escort rode down from the upper ford
and directed the Spanish retreat.
The Cuban loss in this engagement
was 106 killed and 300 wounded.
Rabi's men found 200 Spanish dead
and General Aldave in his report to
Havana said his wounded numbered
2CA The Cubans believe that they
inflicted much more damage and that
the Spaniards carried away many of
their dead and minimized the number
of wounded"