The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-08-11
CrRhN ARMY ACTIEE
Letters from Col. CollnSO end Gen. Itod-
riGuez Detailing It's Operation.


Letters from Col. CollnEO end Gen. Atod-
riguez Detailing It's Operation.
WASHINGTON. Aug. IO.-Gen. Tomas Estrada
Pnlmn. the Cuban Delegate. has Just received
two letters from prominent Cuban officers on
the island narratinR the stirring events IN
various parts Of Cuba during the past lew
months. The frst is from Col, Emilio Collazo'
who visited Washington early In the summer
at the invitation OF Gen. Miles, and who nc-
companied tho latter TO Cuba. The second If
from Gen. J. NJ. Rodriguez. who has written a
number OF letters to n~cuuaint the Cubans IN
this country with the conditions at home. Col.
Collazo's lettor ia as follows:
DEAR CoMpATRIoT: 1 have not tho honor to
know you personally. but / know the talent and
patriotism which you have placed at tho service
OF the cause OF Cuban independence. and that
you and Senior Gonzales de Qucsada have done
more than any others for our country. Know
ing this. 1 write to you to express the gratitude
which / and every good Cuban feel to you.
When this letter Is In your hands the power OF
Felipe II. will have suffered its death agoniesin
America. and we will have broken for all time
the shackles which have been forced upon US
by the country OF Weyler and his ilk.
THE campaign Of the year has been a bloody
one for us. but It's results arc glorious. My
regiment has been in such battles as those OF
El Caiman. Guano Prieto, Viera, Zaya Prtta,
Penalver. Caggio. and others. besides daily
skirmishes. But while the campaign was a
bloody one. VIC answered bullets with bullets
and were not afraid. The real harm has been
done to us by the political campaign OF brlbes
and treachery instituted by the autonomist
Cabinet, which, under the guise OF doing good
to Cuba. has been guilty Of the most atrocious
crimes. These. however. will be cleared up on
the day Cuban liberty Is q fact, and justice will
be done.
The situation following the armistice de-
clared by Blanco was. Of course, changed COM
pletely after the declaration Of war by the
United States. From that time on the Spanish
troops were always fighting. although there
was little enthusiasm In their work. They
were disheartened by III treatment and re-
verses. and our lines we're daily enlarged by
deserters and presentados from the Spanish
guerrillas and volunteers. We have recently
taken several OF the enemy's forts in the re-
gion OF San Antonio de los Banos. Guira de
Melena, and Alquizar, and have captured q
quantity OF arms. ammunition. and provisions
"On the 10th Of last month we had a glorious
battle at this camp. completely routing the
enemy after two hours fighting. The Spanish
lost ten officers and about fifty soldiers killed
and 100 wounded and prisoners. / wish you
all good and hope that you and Senior Quesads
will arrange to be here in the hour Of inde-
pendence. when the country will have need Of
you. Col. EMILIO L
CAMP Ell CANAAN"
The second letter from Gen. Rodriguez is al
follows:
I'VE are awaiting good news from you. We
have Just heard OF the surrender Of SANTIAGO de-
Cuba and the destruction Of Admiral Cervera'i
squadron. which obliges us and every Cubar
heart to give thanks to the generous American
people. 1 wish you to tell any American yor
can that Cuba will never forget what she owec
to the American Republic.
Our troops are better. and the enemy. which
some time ago was on the offensive. Is now or
the defensive. We have had several battlei
lately. the most important at San Javier on the
18th. Cassigues on the Goth. Catalina the 21st
Pipian the 9th. and in Zaragoza the 30th
There was also a brilliant battle In the south al
the camp Of Ell Caiman. the regiment Calixtc
Garcia. commanded by Col. Emilio Collazo. de,
feating the Spanish troops with great loss
Lieut.. Col. Villa has distinguished himself also
and In the north the regiment Havana. com
manded by Col. Avalos and Lieut. Col. Fgu'
eroa. under orders Of Brig. Gen, Cardenas. hat
done excellent work.
Il wish you all good. and I am very truly
yours. ]. NJ. RODRIGUEZ. General"