New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-08

DEVELOPMENT OF THE REVOLUTION.
GENERAL URIRE's DESPERATE CHARGE ACROSS
BRIDGE IN sANTANDER.
The present revolution in Colombia began on De-
tober 20 of last year In the Department Of San
lander, which all along remained the focus Of the
disturbance There have been numerous Skin
mishes but only two important engagements One
was naval battle which took place on the night
of October "a at Los Obispos. some three hundred
miles up the Magdalena River. below Puerto Ma
cional. The revolutionists. commanded by General
julio Vengoechea had seized several river steam
ers in Bsrranquilla. and had started up the Mag
dalena. A huge dredge was sunk In the canal that
connects the port with the river. to prevent the
Hercules Government boat from pursuing the
insurgents, but this obstruction removed
by General Diego de Castro. who gave chase with
the Hercules and the Colombia. General de Castro
overlook the rebels about II o'clock at night and
opened fire with his Maxim and Colt guns The
Liberal hotlla divided three boats going to one
side and four to the other allowing General de
Castro to pass between. This enabled him to use
his Hotchkiss gun in the stern. and, rendered des
perate by the fire OF the explosive Shells which
they could only return with the fire OF small arms
the Liberals attempted 10 ram the Hercules or to
destroy her with dynamite cartridges. which they
threw by hand In the confusion the Helena
rammed Liberal boat the Cristobal Colon. and
sank her with two hundred people board
Three of the remaining boats Immediately surren-
dered while the other three made for the banks OF
the river where most of the troops escaped. and
among them General Vengoeenea. When the pilot
Of the Helena ordered to ram the Cristoba
Colon he assured the General IL was one OF his
own squadron. but with revolver to the mans
head. the General insisted his command being
obeyed. When the Crstobal Colon went down the
pilot was shot to the mistake OF his superior
The most important land engagement was the
battle OF La Laja. which fought on the banks
OF FL .eeraonse River in the Department OF San
lander about the middle of December. Twenty
four thousand troops were engaged in this conflict
the Insurgents being outnumbered by 1900
river and the insurgents the other To make his
position more secure General Casab,anca the COM
mander in chief of the Government forces. seized
the only bridge spanning the stream, and fortified
iron. in which loopholes had been made for the
soldiers on guard After lighting for the greater
part OF the day the insurgents began to run short
With a handful al he charged across
the structure and drove the marksmen from their
position. This advantage was followed BY q
charge by the main body of the insurgents, who
quickly followed their commander across the
bridge, and after short and desperate encounter
the Government forces were completely routed.
ported having possibly fallen into the hands of
the insurgents, is city OF between 10000 and
10000 inhabitants. 1t is picturesGusiy situated In
the savanna or Bogota, at the foot OF the heights
hundred miles from the coast and travellers going
there have to make journey Of three days over
the Andes mulebaek
A he residence of President san Clemente- who is
reported to be Dead is AT Anapoima. little vii
lage at least a days journey down the mountain
side In the direction OF the Magdalena River.