The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-06-09
THE REGULARS LANDED
THE INSURGENTS ON HAND TO
ASSIST
GAGEMENT EXPECTED SOON
Cuban Patriots in Santiago Province
Encouraged by the Result of the
Battles Fought


Associated Press Special Wire
NEW YORK, June S.-A special from
Cape Haytien says the Americans and in
surgents have formed a junction near San
tiago and that land attack on the city is
momentarly expected. The Spaniards
claim to have $4,000 seasoned troops. Col.
Thenuse, a renowned Austrian artillery ex-
pert in the Spanish service, was killed in
Mondays bombardment of the forts of
Santiago harbor.
An Insurgent Victory
NEW YORK, June S.-News has just
reached the Cuban Junta in this city of n
victory achieved by the Cuban forces over
a division of the Spanish army at Jiguano,
province of Santiago, on May ed 1t was
one of the most decisive battles which the
patriots had gained in many months and
the most important one since the war was
declared between the United States and
Spain. A column of Spanish soldiers, 1900
strong acting under orders from Havana
to abandon the interior towns and advance
toward the coast, evacuated the town of
La Piedra, after having destroyed their
Notifications to prevent them from falling
into the hands of the insurgents and camp
cd at Jiguano, where they expected to re-
main awaiting further orders. They were
also Joined there by a detachment of 800
Spanish soldiers from Santa Rita and the
two forces were united in camp at Jiguano.
The Spaniards were surprised on the
morning of May 22d by being attacked by
division of the First Corps belonging to
General Calixto Garcia's command, under
the leadership of Col. Jose Jesus Rabi.
With him also were Colonel Lora, COM
manding the First Cavalry, and Colonel
Montaire Of the infantry regiment, Cuba
Libre."
The Cubans altogether numbered little
more than 1000 men, while the Spaniards
had fully twice that number.
The Cubans advanced in good order. be-
ing we'll equipped with arms and ammuni-
ton, and took the enemy completely by
surprise.
At the start the Spaniards scattered, but
afterward made an effort to rally their
forces.
They only succeeded in being able to re-
treat in regular order to the village of
Palma There they were reinforced by
several hundred men from Aguicota and
Arroyo Blanco and turned upon the Cubans
Spaniards were beginning to recover some
of their lost ground when at most oppor-
tune moment the Cuban regiment, "Aguil
craie," came up from General Garcia's
command and attacked the enemy in the
rear. simultaneously with this the reg!-
ment Santiago attacked them upon the
left flank so that the Spaniards were fore
ed to fight, hemmed in on both sides.
10 On ar, n q several
advantageous positions which they main
tanned throughout the fighting. In their
fight from their camp at Jig~ano the Span
iards were forced to leave behind much of
their ammunition and supplies, so that they
were to considerable extent handicapped
in fighting.
After six hours hard fighting at Palma.
which is only a short distance from Jigu-
ano, the Spaniards raised a flag of truce
and expressed themselves as being willing
to surrender Terms were quickly ar
ranged ana the Cupahs TOOK as prisoners
one Spanish colonel seven captains anu
several other oincefs' pesioes lof soloier7.
The spanish loss amounted 10 10 oeaa' oe
SIDES large NUMBER "ounueu.' incluoeu
IN the spanish losses were thirteen olicers.
The Cupans sustained heaVy loss put IL
was SoAiSA"NAN|A' | $500 $50 ~fS
iards. 1t Is reported that there were 40
killed, including nve omcers Oh lesser RANK
and about oo wounded.
After the pattie' winch was one Oh inc
bitterest OF the war; the Cupahs returned
to JlSuano.' lhere they recovered large
quantity OF arms ana ammunition from the
deserted spanish camp together WIN pro-
Visions ana supply wagons
me people OF the 'owhs OF Jlguano ana
Santa Rita came out 10 greet the victors
and there was great rejoicing among the
inhabitants VINO mad before mat Tune been
forced to conceal their sympathy while the
towns were occupied by spanish soldiers.
General Rapl at once set TO work organ
izing a civil government Tor the towns.
acting under the ORDERS OF General Garcia
In proclamation whlch ne issued two days
after the battle
Plans N OF D1vulged
WASHINGTON, June S-Secretary Alger
this morning positively declined to say
whether or not the United States troops had
sailed yet from Tampa for Cuba. He holds
that, Notwithstanding the bottling of the
Spanish squadron in Santiago, there are
still sufficient good reasons WHY every pre-