The herald., 1898-03-27

rules of civilized warfare are trampled or
by the Span.ards.
Bejucal is a town lying only about half
a league northwest of us tonight. We can
see the lights of the town. In that place
occurred the act of treachery that l am
going to describe.
In the suburbs and even In the center
Of the city. we were received by the people
almost with open arms. General Gomez
and his staff were offered eshments en-
every hand. White flags and smiles of
welcome were in every window as we
marched through the place. The general
gave orders that any vandalism or IT,
fr!ngeaaent by his men on the rights Of ua-
armed citizens would meet with summal y
punishment.
AS we approached the southeast corne
Of the plaza, Lieutenant Colas dismouuted.
and with a silver quarter in his hanG,
asked for a glass of milk at an open doc.
on our right. A jug of milk was broug hi
him, and several of the boys dismounted.
As poor Colas bent over TO drink. a volley
Of al least thirty shots was poured into
us, many balls coming from windows out
of which hung white flags of peace. Lieu
tenant Colas fell dead, with three balls IN
his back.
General Gomez was wild with anger.
1--WE will burn every house from which a
shot was fired" he shouted.
But 1t was easier said than done. The
bullets were pinging around us on every
side. The surprise had been complete.
Not a man had looked for bullets where
the white flags flew. Some had not time
to regain their horses between the moment
Colps ba ~ of W.
second volley. The bad craftsmanship of
the Spaniards was the only thing that
saved us. When we had recovered little
the order was given to retire behind a wall
that surrounded the building. and which
would serve as a trench. We reacher
this trench with a rush, and from behind il
we began to return the volleys of the
treacherous Spaniards with close and
deadly firing.
The walls OF the building were far from
being bullet proof, and we could tell by the
pandemonium Of shrieks and groans that
was soon heard from the interior that the
rain of balls had done much damage.
We were merciless. Had there been any
disposition to show quarter after the
treachery Of the Spaniards, the sight of
the body of Lieutenant Colas would have
been sufficient 10 steel our hearts.
Soon 1t became apparent that the white
flags were being waved in real earnest. But
there was no restraining the men now.
Under the protection of that flag one Of
their leaders had been killed. and the flag
had lost its meaning for time in the eyes
Of the Cubans. The volleys ratified on, and
soon black smoke rolling up from the rear
of the building showed up that it had
caught fire.
/ learned afterwards that one of our men.
creeping UP where the structure was least
guarded had set torch to the himsy
woodwork
Then we crushed" the building, and made
prisoners of the survivors. The Spaniards
had paid dearly for their treachery. The
interior of the building was filed with dead
aud wounded men, for our bullets had rid
Cied the structure through and through.
and done frightful execution. We had
E:ctst difficulty in rescuing the surviving
and wounded so fast did the flames spread
We watched the building burn until not n
rick was left. But no act of violence was
committed against living soul not in
Arms. The generals orders We're impera-
tive on that score. Still we none of us love
BeJucal.
We started immediately on the westward
march, accounts of which must have