The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-03-03
BATTLE AT HoLGuIE
Instead of Being Spanish Victory was a
Most Complete Route.

Instead of Being Spanish Victory was a
Most Complete Route.
NEW YORK. March 2.-Rcpor.s Of
the recent battle at Holgu!n, province OF
Santiago de Cuba, have been received In
New York. Instead OF the battle being
Spanish victory. as represented from
Havana, It was q disastrous defeat fol-
lowed by @ retreat on the part OF the
Spanish forces. This information comes
through Cuban sources and Is the cause
OF a great amount OF rejoicing in Cuban
circles, because the guns and ammunI-
ton shipped from Long Island less than
a month ago were used IN the fight.
Major Miranda, who landed the expe-
ditlon. reports the victory without many
details. but from other letters which
came out by the same mall, the story is
told.
The Spanish forces were commanded
by General hnares, who for some time
has been at Holguln making prepara-
tions 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 cOas.-a distance OF sixty miles In
direct llne-ln four days. BY the road
to be followed the distance was twenty
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. ~
A week before the starting OF the
march the Long Island expedition had
been landed. To protect the expedition
force under General GarbIa had been
sent to the southern coast. In case a
demonstration was made. Col. Manuel
Rodriguez was left with guard OF 800
men 10 worry Lnarez II he should try
to leave Holguin.
While the expedition was one Of the
largest ever landed there, was being
protected from attack. the Spanish gem
eral marched fron, Hoisuln. Ten miles
from Holguin the road becomes hilly
and the rocks afford protection equal to
any modern fertilization. Col Rodri-
guez's men took thel- stand In this nat
ural fertilization ne-r an town OF San
Francisco. Owing to tbs character Of
the country, less than 1000 Of the Span
Ish troops could be br ught into action
when the Cubans opened fire. 5
The road, winding one, was regu-
lar death trap. Lnarez used his art!l-
lery as much as possible, but the Cuban
force OF less than thousand men could
no, be d!slodged. Failing to make pro-
gress. Llnarez marched portion OF his
command five miles east to move by the
road which runs to Jlguana, expecting
to follow the railroad leading to SantIa-
so de Cuba. This command was inter-
ccpted by n portion OF CUbans and har-
rassed SO that Is was unable to reach the
Cauto river. For two days It was held
In check until General Garcia and his
command could reach the place.
Every day Spanish dead were buried
and the wounded sent back 10 HolguIn.
Gen. Garcia's command did not reach
It's full strength until the NTH
day after tho fighting began. On
this day the Spanish columns retreated
In confusion. carrying the wounded to
HolGuln and leaving 200 dead on the
field. The Cuoans loss In the five days
fighting was legs than fifty killed.
The real Spanish loss will never be
known. as the dead and wounded were
taken from the field nt night. 1t Is es-
tImated that nearly 1000 were killed and
wounded. From word received from
Holguln ls was learned there were sew
eral companies annihilated by the Cuban
fire. Other letters from tho Cuban army
report It In good condition and one from
ex-Presldcnt C!sneros stated that the
whole eastern portion OF the island Ia
safe In control of the Cuban civil gov
ernmcnt. The eS-pres!dcnt says he ts 10
be appointed postmaster general and
tells nt the plans for postal service MS
though there were no war on the Islands,
DR.. joaquin Casdllo. Of the Junta. for
his work IN landing arms on the Cuban
coast, has been appointed to the rank OF
brlgadler general. The CuOans In the
field. according TO the letters, arc pray-
Ing for the United States to otrIkc n blow
In order that they may attack Havana
from the land. f,f 81