People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 February 1896 — IN A FIERCE BATTLE. [ARTICLE]

IN A FIERCE BATTLE.

SPANISH TROOPS EARN THEIR VICTORY. The Cuban Ina.irgent* Fight with Deeparate Bravery in the Unequal Straggle —Serious Lo**e* on Both Sides—Spanish General Mounded. Havana, Feb. 5. —An important engagement has taken place at Consolacion del Sur, east of the city of Plnar del Rio, between the Spanish forces under General Luque and the insurgents under Antonio Maceo. The loss of the insurgents is reported to be sixty-two killed and over two hundred wounded. The loss on the Spanish side Is thirty soldiers, according to the report of Spanish officials. General Luque was wounded in the leg at the beginning of the battle. Majors Luis, Lopez and Mijares were seriously injured and Majors Jose, Ruiz and Perez were killed. General Luque was carried to Pinar del Rio after the battle, delivering over the command to Colonel Hernandez. The battle was fiercely contested and the advantage is claimed to be all on the side of the Spanisn a result. But it is significant that Maceo’s forces, instead of being turned back to the westward, proceeded on their way toward Havana province after the battle. The following points are gathered from the official report of the engagement: At 8 o’clock Sunday evening the Spanish columns arrived at Arroyo de Agua, and here they rested on their arms until midnight, when they took up the line of march again, following the direction of the railroad which runs between Consolacion del Sur and Paso Real. At 5 o’clock Monday morning the Spanish troops had arrived at the farm of Candelara on their way to San Diego de los Banos, but they turned south again toward-La Horradura, and, continuing their.jfcarch, they met the insurgents abotrng o’clock in the afternoon at the townkof Paso Real. An attack was Immediately opened upon the insurgents in the town. They held their position with the greatest tenacity, making their defense in .the village itself from the vantage ground of the houses and the walls of the streets. From this point it was found difficult to dislodge them, though a fire was directed upon them from all gides. The Spanish formed for a regular and systematic attack, the vanguard of the columns under Col. Hernandez charging their position by the left flank, while the center and rear guard of the Spanish under the direct command of Gen. Luque forced themselves into the central street of the village and attacked by the right flank, charging with vigor and determination. Seeing their position thus imperiled and themselves in danger of having their retreat cut off the insurgents made a rapid retreat to the extreme western limits of the village, doing some fighting during the retreat. Here they formed their lines for a further stand against the attack of the Spaniards. A volley from the rifles of the troops failed to break the lines of the insurgent forces. They were given a second volley, but still they stood their ground, and even in face of a third volley of rifle bullets they refused to budge an inch and obstinately maintained their formidable line. The Spanish cavalry was then ordered to charge, and it swept down with great valor upon the devoted band led by Luets, Herra and Berenguer. The Insurgents were unable to withstand this onslaught, and their formation was broken and they were put to flight, ten of them being killed with cavalry sabers. They were pursued by the Spanish cavalry outside the limits of the village, but the pursuers were here met by a force of insurgent cavalry numbering 1,000 and the pursuit was checked. The insurgent cavalry made a stand and met the attack of the Spanish, covering the retreat of their friends and stubbornly refusing to give way in face of the Spanish fire until the Spanish infantry came up.

Meanwhile the Cubans had worked their way into the Culle Real and once more made a vigorous stand against the onslaught of the Spanish troops. The battalion of San Quintan advanced upon them, but it was only after repeated volleys had been fired into them that their position was taken and the village was in possession of the Spanish. The insurgents did not abandon the field, but only fell back before the troops and prepared to make a last stand in a palm grove about three kilometers distant. Here they were charged by the Spaniards. The insurgent cavalry did not await the near approach of the Spaniards, but dashed down the declivity out of the palm grove and charged full upon the Spanish formation with what the official report terms a savage valor. The Spanish infantry, however, stood firm and repulsed the charge with the bayonet. They then in turn themselves made a bayonet charge. The insurgent cavalry retreated, only to form for another charge. The troops were formed in a hollow square to meet this charge. The artillery opened upon the insurgents at a distance of only 150 yards. This last charge was also repulsed, many insurgents being wounded with bayonets, and the insurgents then retired. They took their departure in the direction of Los Palacios to the eastward or toward Havana province. The Spanish then made an investigation of the insurgent’s camp and found there sixtytwo dead and 130 horses and mules, besides taking numerous saddles, arms and ammunition. The insurgents carried away over 200 wounded. The continued activity of the insurgents all over the island is indicated by

the large number of constant arrivals of refugees, whole families making for the towns to escape the violence of the insurgents In the country districts. It is alleged that 'wandering bands ire burning indiscriminately and hanging almost any one they lay hands on. Capt. William M. Mannix, the correspondent of the Army and Navy Journal and of the Washington Star, has been ordered by the authorities to leave the island. A protest against this action' has been sent to Secretary Olney by Consul-General Williams.