Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1898-03-11
m + DEATH TRAP.
spaniards' Terrible Defeat in the Battle
of Holquin.


of Holquin.
New York, March 4.--Reports Of the
recent battle at Holguin, Santiago de
Cuba, have been received in New York.
Instead OF the battle being Spanish
victory. as represented from Havana, it
was disastrous defeat, followed by a
retreat OF the Spanish forces. This in
formation comes from Cuban sources,
and is the cause Of great rejoicing, be-
cause the guns and ammunition shipped
from Long Island less than month
ago were used in the fight. Major
Miranda, who landed the expedition,
reports the facts without many details,
but from other letters which came by
the same mail the story is told.
The Spanish forces were commanded
by General Linares, who for some time
has been at Holguin, making prepara-
tions to march to the city OF Santiago.
His army included cavalry and artil-
lery. Previous to his starting to march
he boasted that he woull make the
coast, distance Of go miles, in di-
rect line, in four days. His troops
were the most valuable in the Spanish
army, many Of them having been oD
the island for three years. A week be-
fore the starting Of the march the Long
Island expedition had been landed.
To protect it force under General
Garcia had been sent to the southern
coast. Colonel Manuel Rodriguez was
left with vanguard Of 900 men to
worry Linares if he should try to leave
| Holguin.
While the expedition, one OF the lar
gest ever landed there, was being pro-
tected from attack, tie Spanish general
marched out from Holguin. Ten miles
from Holguin the road became hiIly,
| and the rocks afforded prote :tion equal
to any modern fortification. Rodri-
guez' men took their stand in this
natural fortifcation near the town OF
San Francisco.
Owing to the character OF the coun-
try, less than 200 Of the Spanish troops
could be brought into action when the
Cubans opened fire. The road, wind
ing one, was a regular death trap.
Linares used his artillery as much as
possible, but the Cuban force of less
than thousand men could not be dis.
lodged. Failing to make progress,
Linares marched portion of his com
mand five miles out to move by the
road which runs to Jiguana, expecting
to follow the railroad leading to Santi.
ago. His command was intercepted bJ
portion of the Cubans and harasseG
80 that it was unable to reach the eau.
to 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 to Holguin.
General Garoia's command did no
reach it's full strength until the fifth
day after the fighting began. On this
day the Spanish columns retreated II
confusion, carrying the wounded tC
Holguin and leaving 200 dead on th'
field. The Cuban loss in the five days
fighting was less than so killed.
The real Spanish loss will never be
known, as the dead and wounded wert
taken from the field at night. 1t is es
timated that nearly 1000 we're killeC
and wounded. From word received
from Holguin it was learned that ther,
we're several companies annihilated b.
the Cuban fire.
Other letters report the Cuban arm.
in good condition, and one from ex
President Cisneros states that the who'll
eastern end OF the island is safe in con
troll of the Cuban government. Th
ex-president says he is to be appointe'
postmaster -gencral, and speaks of tn
republics plans as though there wa
no war in the island.
DIR. Joaquin Castillo, of the junta
for his work in landing arms on tn
Cuban coast, has been appointed to tn
rank of brigadier- general.