The Topeka state journal., 1899-09-29
THE VENEZUELAN WAR.
Details of the Fighting From
Beginning of the Rebellion.


Washington, Sept. 2e.-The state de-
partment has received a dispatch from
the L. S. consul at Puerto Cabelo.f Ven
ezuela under date of the 18th instant,
in which he gives a summary OF the
several encounters between the govern
ment and rebel forces in that country.
The first encounter between the forces
of Rebel General Castro and those OF
the Venezuelan government occurred
near the city of San Christobal near
the Colombian boundary line. The gov
ernment forces engaged consisted of
between 400 and 500 men under the COM
mand of Gen. LeOpoldo Sarria. The
rebel force was considerably larger but
the actual number is not known The
rebels defeated the government troops.
The second battle was in San Christo-
bal The one thousand troops of the
government commanded by Gen. Pena-
losa engaged 1000 rebel troops com
manded by Gen. Castro, eight or nine
days, resulting in Gen. Castro's with
drawing his men, he having learned
that Gen. Fernandez was on his way
there with about 1000 troops of the
government
The third battle was before and in
the town of Ell Cobre. Report has it
that the rebels here defeated 1 800
government troops under the command
of Gen Morales and that the general
succeeded in escap ping with but 72 men
and the ammunition train.
The fourth encounter took place at
LumbadOr mountain, where Gen. Weld
euann with Z.0BO government troops
tried to stop the march of the rebels.
reported to be 1000 strong. The fight
is reported to have ended in a. draw,
both sides claiming a victory At any
rate, Gen. Castro continued his march.
At the town of COrderO, Gen. Castro
was attacked by nearly 5000 govern
ment troops under Gen. Fernandez. His
force then consisted of about 5000 men
A terrible battle was fought, reports
placing the loss of the government at
nearly 1900 killed and wounded, that
of the rebels is unknown, but it is
thought to be less, as their position
during the battle was superior.
Again both claim a victory. After
the battle the rebels marched to the
town of Tower. In this place the rebels
fought and dispersed 800 government
troops under Gen. Sulpio Gutierrez and
captured arms, ammunition and sup
plies.
At Arenales were massed according
to the report nearly $500 government
troops commanded by Generals Torrez,
Aular. GueVara and Planes. Yet. the
rebel chief defeated them and captured
many rifles and much ammunition. In
BarquisimetO, Gen Suarez had about
1000 government troops entrenched be-
hind strong fOrtifications. but the rebel
forces did not attack. At the time of
writing the consul states that the rebel
forces at Bejuma report saying that
the rebel general Castro, is resting his
troops and animals before marching to
Valencia.
PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT.
Washington, Sept. 29.-The navy de-
partment has received the following
cablegram from Capt Hemphill, com
mander of the United States steamship
Detroit:
Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, Sept. %
Sailed for Curacao, West Indies. I have
arranged to keep in communication
with consul. Can get back in ten hours
after notice has been received. Rumors
are current that Castro (the insurgenr
leader) has established a provisional
of Wa1 nd ho
Venezuelan government is treating
with him. The Venezuelan troops at
Puerto Cabello have been reinforced by
about 255 men. Affairs look more set
tied. Business being resumed.
(Signed) HEMPHILL.
ANDRADE HAS FLED.
New York. Sept. "a dispatch to
the Herald from Port of Spain, Trini-
dad, says:
A private dispatch from Caracas re-
ports that President Andrade has left
the Venezuelan capital and is believed
to have gone to Porto Rico or New
York. The report is credited here, but
all attempts to secure confirmation
have been futile.
Gen. CastrO's inSurgent forces are
known to be within five miles of Cara
cas-. Gen. Luciano Mendoza, comman-
der-in-chief of the government forces,
has only 5000 troops with which to de-
fend the approaches from CastrOs as
Saults.
ing here by steamer. They report that
CONSERVATION prevails in Caracas. The
press censorship is exceptionally severe,
even mail matter being opened.
Gen. Domingo MOnagas, who has
great prestige in Barcelona province,
promised President Andrade troops
from eastern Venezuela. He collected
a considerable army at Cumana, but on
landing at Guanta, in Barcelona the
soldiers declared in favor of the revo-
luton, and are marching to form a
junction with Castro's forces.