The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-22
IlIP[D At 'YACTA FORD.
UNDER PASDO MEET =
CRUSHING DEFEAT.
tne Cubans Are Beaten Back
-aney Rally at the Cry "A La
es.eaete,1 and Charge Irreststfbly
Asseve Retires to save Forces.

,uw YORK. Dec 2i-Following is the
D.hsn version Of the battle fought at
| x.sta ford, on the Cauto river. on DeceEn-
= 4 last The details were recsived
- the mails by Capt. Alfredo Ro-
s-s,,ex Cuban insurgent officer who II
3 .s-sliAed In this city. II tells OF a crush
- Aeseat inflicted upon the Spanish Gen.
ss.dn Capt. Rodriguez correspondent
NJ
- Lieut.. Col Salvador Rios. was hold
- she Yacta ford Of the Cauto river.
70 important for Pando's forces TO
.enen the river. in order that reinforce
40 might be sent TO the city Of ba-
z.Hrto Garcia's main force was little
Il ssshsr W the river. protecting ford
Hsssstene1 by Gen. Pando. Gen. Aioave.
9 somnsand OF 2.00e Spanish infantry reg
ssssrtlla volunteers. twenty-five cannon
~ III Tight gunboats. attacked Rios.
sr,isnoSiag his artillery On the hills.
.1mxnding the Yaeta ford. Aldave
s...sd 4 hot IRE on the insurgent works
opposite side ss. 81 me nt fiy ,s:
~ woods and the ford was open for
4. 0paniards' passage.
1AIsrA advanced a column OF infantry
1900 the ford. holding their rifles and
eamupit50n belts ABOVE IHeir heduc. INC
- being protected by q continual artil-
- ~. Rios, seeing that he could not
"A SIS position without help, sent a
ssunteef courier, Lieut.. Charles Hick-
- n American. TO Gen. Calixto Gar
- % the river. Hickman had to ride
S,sefiy through the enemy's fire. but
..sds lie passage safely.
sTssnvhiIe Gen. Aldave landed 100
..are men on the further side, and Gen.
psndo. with . large force, at this time
rade Z felnt upon the upper ford. Gen.
Garcia deceived by Pando's movement,
Enlargement 10 Col. Rios, and sent Col.
rs,lns Garcia with only 200 mounted men
Sovu the river This reinforcement. small
= II raa, renewed the hope Of the defend
- AZ the Yacta and they charged the
enanish with the bayonet.
STbe Cubans however: were so heavily
sutnumbered that they were forced to give
say. Carlos Garc.a's horse was shot
rom under him, and Col. Rios was
wounded slightly n IN the leg. Col ,.s Gar s
shsfes this time and held the Spanish
ss,ces m check for a short while.
sBy that time Gen. Calixto Garcia had
sesr through Gen. Pando's feints on the
s.sh 100 cavalry to their relief. These
arrived Just as the Spanish were recov-
sriug from the machete charge, and fell
suddenly upon their rear, throwing the
troops who had crossed the ford into con-
fusion The Spanish had to give ground,
and became exposed TO the fire from their
am artillery In the hills and from the
Is gunboats which had Joined In the
h1mbardment OF Rios men. Gen. Aldave
sfdersd this destructive fire to cease. re-
formed his attacking party and dispatched
message to Gen. Pando for assistance
b carrying the Cuban position.
.f;ut II was too late. The Cuhans. re-
forming raised their battle shout OF "a
h marhete' Cuba libr..' and fell upon
The Spanish ranks with terrible effect. A
body Of 1000 guerrillas was cut OF from
A'dave's force and threw down their
arms.
Gen Rabl. knowing the half-hearted
loyalty OF these volunteers. told them they
must fight their own comrades or be cut
10 pieces. and they obeyed and really
fought desperately on the Cuban side.
Gen Aldave seeing that his men would
b annihilated. withdrew them across the
ford again protected by the artillery fire.
Gen. Pando, with an escort. rode down
from the upper ford and directed the
epanish TO retreat.
aThe Cuban loss I'm this engagement
vas lss killed and about 800 wounded.
Gen. Rabi's men found 200 Spanish dead,
and Gen. Aldave In his report 10 Havana
said bis wounded numbered 200. The Gu
hans believe they have inflicted much
more damage: that the Spanish troops
carried away many of their dead and min
lmzed the number OF wounded. reporting
cnly ore-fogrth. Among the Cuhans killed
vas MAJ Le'ada and Capt. Garcia. a son
q rich planter The Spanish left on
the field Lieut.. Col. Have. two captains
and one assistant surgeon. and the stand
ard Of arms of the battalion flanaros
Gen. Garcia promoted Hickman the
airing courier, TO he captain on the field
Iando has reported to Gen. Blanco that
Aem men are needed TO break the back
tone al the insurgent opposition In the
fast. and that II is no longer practicable
yarno
THIS city Gen. Garcia expects 10 cap
ufe early IN January. being now able to
oe'sch troops. from his command to send
to Rolcr's aid''
capt Rodriguez has also received news
hst Ten, Maxine Gomez has crossed the
ashoniu river at Ciego de Avia, and has
continued on his march 10 effect a Juno
ton with Gen Rodriguez