The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-11
Troops Of Colombian Govern
ment Meet With Sad Fate.
LEFT ON THE FIELD 100 DEAD
Atrocities Are Awful, Greatest Terror Pre-
rails and There Is Immediate Need Of
RslntOTc.n,nts.

Kingston, Ja., Sept 1.-THE German
steamer Valencia Cfrom New York Aug.
q. for Cape Haytien aAd other ports)
which arrived here yesterday from Santa
Marta. capital of the Department OF Mag
daIena Colombia, brings news or a vfc-
tory at Santa Marta by the Colombian
revoiutionists over the government
forces.
100 DEAD ON THE FIELD.
Captain Gronmeyer of the Valencia
says that last Friday the revolutionists
made a desperate attack on the outskirts
were overwhelmed and forced to retreat.
leaving behind them 100 dead
Immediately after the withdrawal of the
government forces. the rebels started 10
destroy the railroad tracks. They de-
rallied several trains at various points,
demolshing engines and cars, the latter
being chiefly fruit vans. Several lives
were also lost in these wrecks.
Saturday the revolutionists occupied the
banana district of the Senega, where they
continued TO wreck the railroad, and at
the same time keeping UP their advance
toward Santa Marta. When the Valencia
sailed from Santa Marta Monday, the
revolutionists were so near the town that
Captain Gronmeyer could see the flashes
OF their guns. Several buildings In Santa
Marta were then blazing having been
ignited by the few troops left there to
oppose the attack Of the revolutionists.
The town at that time was expected mo-
mentarily TO surrender
ATROCITIES AWFUL
Owing to the total destruction of the
railroad the Valencia did not get her
cargo Of fruit at Santa Marta, and be-
cause OF the seriousness OF the situation
the captain decided TO put into Kingston
for Instructions.
Officers OF the Valencia say that hor-
rible atrocities were committed during
the fighting by the rebels. who chiefly
used machetes. Almost all OF the gov
ernment troops killed were found along
the railroad track. their bodies being
terribly mutilated.
GREATEST TERROR PREVAILS.
Santa Marta is entirely cut off from
communication with outside points and
the residents of the port have sent an
appeal by sea to Colon for protection.
II Is feared that the revolutiontsts will
sack Santa Mrta when they capture II.
The stores there are closed and the
greatest terror prevails.
The attack of the revolutionists was
entirely unexpected. and owing OF the
superior numbers Of the revolu lutionfsts
the resistance OF the government forces
was half hearted. Officers of the Va
lencia do not think the Colombian govern
ment can get reinforcements into Santa
Marta in time TO save the town.
NEED OF REINFoRCEMENTs.
Colon. Colombia. Sept 1.-THE govern
ment gunboat General Pinzon arrived
here this morning from Cartagena. She
brought so mules
Government forces have defeated q de-
tachment OF revolutionists at Penon on
the Magdalena River. II IS now hoped
that the reinforcements destined for the
isthmus will be enabled to reach here
without undue loss OF time.
The government cruiser Cartagena is
still at Cartagena. Two government
commissioners left here today for Sa-
vanilla for the purpose OF impressing
upon the governor. Of the department OF
Bolivar the immediate necessity for ad-
ditional reinforcements on the isthmus