The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-22
THE BATTLE or FdCTd FORD.
The Cuban Version of the Conflict--Fierce
Fighting and Many Killed.


NEW YORK. Dec 2l-The following is
the Cuban version OF the battle fought
at Yacta Ford on the Cauto river on De-
ccmber 18th li-t. The details were re-
ceved through the mails by CAPTAIN Al
fredo Rodriguez, Cuban insurgent o.
ncer who is invaded in this city II
tells OF crushing defeat inflicted upon
the Spanish General Pando.
Captain Roderiguez's correspondent
says: ,,..
"A part Of General Calixio Gorcia.s
forces under Lieutenant-ColOnel Saliva
dor Rios. was holding the Nacta FORD
Of the Cauto river. II was important
for Pando's force 10 reopen the river III
order that reinforcementI might be sent
to the city of Bayamo, beselged by Gene
raj RolOn General Calixto Garcias
main force was a little further up thc
river, protecting ford threatened by
General Pando General AidaVe in com
mand OF two thousand Spanish infantry
(regulars) a squadron OF cavalry ana
5000 guerilla volunteers. y canon ana
. light gunboats attacked Rios
"Statoning his artillery on the Dills
| commanding the Nacta Ford, AldaVe
| opened a hot IRE on the insurgent works
| on the opposite side of the Cauto river.
| Rios and his 800 Cubans retired into
| the cover Of the woods and the ford was
| opened for the SpaniaTds' passage :
"Aldave advanced a column of infantry
| across the ford. holding their rifles ana
ammunition belts above their heads, 'he
men being protected by continued ar
tillerv fire. Rios seeing that he could
| not hold his position without help sent
"A volunteer courier Lieutenant CnaIles
| hickman. an American, 10 General CaiiX-
| TO Garcia up the river Hickman mao 10
| ride directly through the enemies iho
| but made the passage safely. MOS
| harangued his little band urging them 10
sell their lives dearly. as the campaign
| in the East depended upon their success
full resistance. ..o
"Meanwhile General Aldave landed 100
| more men on the further she ana ptHe
| raj Pando with "A large force, al thls
| time made a feint upon the upper l0iu.
| General Garcia, deceived by fdhuo
| movement decided that he coulu spdIy
| only a small reinforcement to Coionel
| Rios and sent Colonel carlos Garcia VIZ
| only 200 mounted men down the rlVer.
| This reinforcement, small as II was, r.
| neved the hopes of the defenders OF me
| Yacta. and uniting their cheers WIN
| those Of Carlos Garcia's men, they
| charged the Spanish with the bayonet'
",rhe Cubans. however. were 50 heaVi,
| IL outnumbered that they were 1OIced
| to give way by the sheer welshl OF w
| enemy. Carlos Garcia horse was snot
under him and Colonel RIOS was uIiu l.
cor renewed the charge with machsles
| this time and held the Spanish forces
| in check for a short while. ,. .,,.
| "Nrhen General CallXtO Garcia 81"
| through
| MINER ford and realized at once nov
hard messed the insurgents AT the 1dcld
| must be. he dispatched General Jesus
Rabi with 1900 cavalry 10 thei 49,,
| These arrived just as me Spdnis llo va
! recovering from the machete charge, ehu
feli suddenly upon their rear. throWiH5
The troops who had crossed the ford INTO
| confusion. H.. ,ro,,,d and
we're exposed to the nre from their ovn
artillery on the hills ana from the SIN
| gunboats which had joined IN the ooin-
bardment of RIOS men. Generdl AlueNe
| ordered this destructive NE 10 cedSs'
formed his attacking party ana us
natched a message to General Pando Tor
assistance in carrying Inc 1uoan -
tion nut il was too late. The Cupahs;
reforming raised their battle shout ot
al Machete. Cuba LADre anu zen ~,
the Spanish ranks with terrloie enc -
4 body OF /. 900 guerrlias were cut ptt
from Aldave's force and Threw COW"
nc GENERAL Rabi. knowing the half,hsar.-
ed loyalty of these Volunteers, ~
mat they must fight their own com com d p,,S
or he cut TO pieces. They oDeyeu anu
fought desperately on the Cuban SIDE.
GENERAL Aldave. seeing that MS men
would be annihilated. Withdrew thein ~
vond the ford. again protected Dy the
srtiiiarv FIRE. General Pando with an
escort rode down from the upper io'u
and directed the Spanish retreat
"rba Cuban loss in this engagement
ms ios kiued and about 800 wounded.
General Rabis men found 200 Spanish
Ssad and General Aldave. In his report
70 Havana. said his wounded numbered
9So THE Cubans believe they inflicted
much more damage. that tire spanish
troops carried away many other "eau
ana minimized the number wounded re-
norting only one fourth.
r"Amone the Cubans killed was MAJOR
rlanada and Captain Garcia. son OF
rirh nianter. The Spanish left on the
deld lieutenant Colonel Lave. two cap
tains and an assistant surgeon ana the
standard of arms Of the Battalion Llama
ros. t,..,,v,,,,
General Garcia promoted Hickman
the daring courier. 10 the rank OF cap
tain on the field. I,-.. ,,,.oo tho.
100 GOO men are needed 20 prcak the 49,
hone of the insurgent opposition IN M
East and that 1t Is no longer prac'lcao'e
10 continue the campaign 10 relieve ba-
yamo. o,. 90
'"rhis city General Garcia expects 20
capture early In January. being now aoie
10 detach troops from his own command
10 send to Pclofs aid
CAPTAIN Roderigucz has also received
news that General Maxine Gornez nas
crossed the Jnhon.cn river az Cieeo %
Av,la. and has continued on his march
~ effect a junction with Generai Hooe-
riguez.
WASHINGTON. December n.-Assis'-