The San Francisco call., 1898-07-23

Bennett
 SANTIAGO DE CUBA, July 21, by the Call Herald dispatch boat to Port Antonio, Jamaica, July 22.-Great excitement was caused in San tiago to-day by story brought in by Cubans to the effect that 4OOO Cuban insurgents, comprising General GarCia's army of the east ern department of Cuba, have been routed in a fierce engagement with detachment of Spanish troops bound for Santiago to surrender. In this battle, which is reported to have taken place at a point several miles to the north of this city, forty-one Cubans were killed and many more were wounded The Spanish 1oss,- am in formed, was much smaller. was unable to verify the story and give it as the army here heard 1t.
 Nothing happening this vicinity recently has taken the American officers and troops completely by surprise this reported battle between Cubans and Spanards Our troops had look upon the insurgents rather than fight they scarcely believed Garcias had laid ambush and had opened the fight by attacking the Spanish troops
 have been unable learn whether General Garcia Of the number of the enemy he attacking If he thought he had encountered small force of Spaniard and could ovepower them easily it grave mistake There at least 5000 Spaniard the body according the and they Garca full after the battle began.
 This defeat of the insurgents report true the first result General Garcias peant disagreement with General Shafer and of his decision longer cooperate American forces When the Cuban general withdrew his troops the mountains already has these dispatches he resolved to Hogun about sixty miles the northwest of this city, If the would not allow them wreak vengeance the Spanads in Santiago Cubans proposed other important take sion of 1t their account.
 with this object in view that General withdrew his from the American lines and refused longer ally of General Shater He decided capture Hoeuin possible and to there nsugent government making that place Cuban headquarters for the department
 It related how far to the northwest of Santiago General Garcas army had proceeded upon mission when the Spanish troops encountered They had march ing many hours however and been we'll started their journey.
 told 1t question to which the most sur ped Cubans the Span1ard when the bodies of troops met on the road between Santiago and Holgun
 The Spaniards had been gathered from fortified towns in vicinity and proceeding Santiago the terms of agreed upon by General Tora They seeking carry out good faith the agreement made with General Shae They were looking for fight and were caught off their guard.
 Garcia ordered his form they would be concealed in the chapara hoping annhae the first of the Spanish troops His plans promptly into on but the Spaniard quickly recovering from the demoraza ton caused by the opening hot fought erce and General Garcia's ambuscade failure.
 Although unsuccessful in his plan to entrap the Spanish General Garcia word them demanding that they der forthwith To this demand the Spanish commander turned emphatic refusal.
 General Tora he notified General Garcia has dered to the American army, to Cubans
 Despite the information that these Spanish troops of General Toas surrender General Garcia