The age-herald., 1898-03-03
BATTLE IF HOLGU|N
 1 CUBAN VICTORY The Flower of Spanish Army
 Met Heavy Loss. A IDENTIFICATION or ROCKS The Cuban Force Numbered Less Than 1000 Men, But Spanish Artillery Was Una ble to Disodge Them From
 Their Position.
A IDENTIFICATION or ROCKS

New York. March 2.-Reports of the re- cent battle at Holgufn, province of Santi- ago de Cuba, have been received in New York. Instead of the battle being a Span- ish victory, as reported form Havana. it was disastrous defeat. followed by re- treat on the part of the Spanish forces. This information comes thorugh Cuban sources, and is a cause for great amount of rejoicing in. Cuban circles, because the guns and ammunition shipped from Long Island less than month ago were used in the fight
 Maj. Miranda, who landed the expedition, reports the victory without many details, but from other letters which came out by the same mail the story is told.
 The Spanish forces were commanded by Gen. Linares. who for some time has been at Hogiun making preparations to march to the city of Santiago de Cuba His army included cavalry and artillery. Previous to his starting to march he boasted that he would make the coast, a distance of sixty miles, in direct line in four days. By the road to be followed the distance was twen- ty miles more, owing to the condition of the country. His troops were the most valuable in the Spanish army, many of them having been on the island for three years
 week before the starting of the march the Long Island expedition had been land- ed. To protect the expedition a force under Gen Garcia had been sent to the southern coast. In case a demonstration was made Col. Manuel Rodriguez was left with a vanguard of 900 men to worry Linares 1T ne should try to leave Holguin.
 Rocks Afforded Protection
 While the expedition, one of the largest ever landed there, was being protected from attack, the Spanish general marched out from Holguin. Ten miles from Hol- guin the road becomes hilly and the rocks afford protection equal to any modern forti- fcation. Col Rodriguez says the men took their stand in this natural fortificatfon near tbe town of San Francisco. Owing to the character of the country less than 2,- 900 of the Spanish troops could be brought into action when the Cubans opened fire
 The road winding one, was regular death trap. Linares used his artillery as much as possible, but the Cuban force or less than thousand men could not be dislodged. Failing to make any progress. Linares marched portion of his command five miles east to move by the road Wnacn runs to Jiguana, expecting to follow the railroad leading to Santiago De Cupa- This command was intercepted by portion of the Cubans and harassed so that 1t was unable to reach the Cauto rlver For two days it was held in check until Gen. Garcia and his command could reach the place.
 Every day Spanish dead were buried and
 
 Garcia's command did not reach its full strength until the fifth day after the fighting began. On this day the Spanish column retreated in confusion, carrying the wounded to Holquin and leaving 200 dead on the field.
 The Cuban loss in the five days fighting was less than fifty killed.
 w Exact Loss Unknown
 The real Spanish loss will never be known, as the dead and wounded were taken from the field at night. It is esti- mated that nearly 1000 were killed and wounded. From word received there were several companies almost annihilated by the Cuban fire.
 Other letters from the Cuban army report 1t in good condition, and one from ex- President Ciscernos stated that the whole eastern portion of the island is safe in the control of the Cuban civil government The ex-presldent says he is to be appoint ed postmaster general, and tells of the plans for postal service as though there were no war on the island.
 Dr. Joaquin Castillo. of the Junta, for his work in landing arms on the Cuban coast, has been appointed to the rank of brigadier general. The Cubans in the field, according to the letters, are praying for the United States to strike a blow in order that they may attack Havana from the land.