The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-09
SURPRISED AND ROUTED
SPANIARDS DEFEATED BY INSUR-
GENTS AFTER A BLOODY FIGHT.
Seventy-Six of the Former Killed,
Captured-45 Cubans Slain.

NEW YORK, June S-News has just
reached the Cuban Junta in this city of
victory achieved by the Cuban forces over
division of the Spanish army at Jiguani.
province of Santiago, on May %. 1t was one
of the most decisive battles which the pa
triots have gained in many months, and
the most important one since the war was
declared by the United States against Spain.
A column of Spanish soldiers, 1900 strong,
acting under orders from Havana to aban-
don the interior towns and advance toward
the coast, evacuated the town of LaPiedra,
after having destroyed their forts and forti-
fications to prevent them from falling into
the hands of the insurgents, and camped at
Jiguani, where they expected to remain
awaiting further orders. They were also
joined there by detachment of 300 Spanish
soldiers from Santa Rita, and the two forces
We're united in camp.
The Spaniards were surprised on the
morning of May % by being attacked by
division of the First Corps, belonging to
General CaliXto Garcia's command, under
the leadership of Colonel Jose Jesus Rabi.
With him also were Colonel Lora, command
ing the First Cavalry, and Colonel Mon
taire of the Infantry Regiment, Cuba
Libre." The Cubans altogether numbered a
little more than 1000 men, while the Span
iards had full twice that number. The Gu
bans advanced in good order, being well
equipped with arms and ammunition, and
took the enemy completely by surprise. At
the start the Spaniards scattered, but after
ward made an effort to rally their forces
They only succeed d in being able to re-
treat In regular oroer to the valley of Pal
ma.
There they were reinforced by several
hundred from AguacOte and ArrOVO
Blanco and turned the Cubans, and the
battle was renewed with fury. The Span
1ards We're beginning to recover some of the
ground which they mad lost, when at most
opportune moment the Cuban regiment
'Aguilera" came up from General Garcia's
command and attacked the enemy in the
rear. Spontaneously with this the regiment
santiago attacked them upon the left
flank, so that the Spaniards were forced to
fight. hemmed in on both sides. The Gu
bans succeeded in taking several advantage
Gus positions, which they maintained
her eamp at gan m ht
forced to leave behind much of their am
muntion and supplies, SO that they were to
considerable extent handicapped in fight
ing, while, on the other hand, the Cubans
gressive
After six hours hard fighting at Palma,
which is only short distance from Jiguani
the Spaniards raised a flag of truce and ex-
pressed themselves as being willing to sur
render. Terms were speedily arranged, and
the CubanS took as prisoners one Spanish
colonel, seven captains, and several other
officers, besides 103 soldiers. The Spanish
loss amounted to Seventy-siX dead, besides
a large number who were wounded. Included
in the Spanish losses were thirteen officers.
The Cubans suffered heavy loss, but it
was considerably smaller than that of the
Spaniards. 1t is reported that there were
forty-tive, killed, including five officers of
lesser rank, and about sixty wounded. After
the battle, the Cubans returned to Jiguani.
There they recovered a large quantity of
arms and ammunition from the deserted
Spanish camp, together with provisions and
supply wagons, which the enemy had been
compelled to leave behind. These were much
needed and were sent to the headquarters of
T1ha neonIa of IT, A- ~, a. t 80 seilo e r;,
and Santa Rita came out to greet the VIC
torious Cuban army, and there was great re-
Joicing among the inhabitants, who had be-
fore that time been forced to conceal their
sympathies while the towns were occupied
by Spanish soldiers. General Jesus Rabi at
once set to work organizing civil govern
ment for the towns, acting under the orders
of General Garcia in a proclamation which
he issued two DAYS after the battle