The New York Herald Newspaper, April 16, 1873, Page 5

CUBA. Underground Special Despateh from the Insurgent Camp. OKELLY’S TRIUMPH. The Rebellion Pictured With- in Its Lines. Reception of the Herald Commissioner by General Garcia Yniquez. Independence and Annexation Dis- cussed---England’s Con- federation Plan. THE MARCH TO JIGUANI Vivid Description of a Cuban Fight and Victory. f THE BATTLE-OF CANADON. A Night Reconnoissance—The Challenge at the Barricade—Opening Fire— The Cubans Retreat. A SPANISH AMBUSCADE. Bravery of the Spaniards Before Overwhelming .Numbers. INHUMAN HORRORS. Butchering the Wounded Spaniards with the Machete. GLOOMY TRAMP THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS. Forest Headquarters of the Cuban Government. CARLOS MANUEL CESPEDES. Breakfast and Interview with the Cuban Leader. The President’s Opinion of the Republic in Spain. INDEPENDENCE CUBA'S ULTIMATUM. *They Must Go or Continue the War Till We or They Are Exterminated.” STRENGTH OF THE PATRIOT ARMY. Hopes and Prospects—Living on the Enemy—Volunteers Deserting. Mr. Henderson’s Interview Pronounced False, “~ a IT DID NOT TAKE PLACE. Graphic and Exciting Account of Sixteen Days with the Rebels. Key West, April 14, 1873. The following letter, in the handwriting of Mr. James J. O'Kelly and signed by him, geached me by underground conveyances. The original I mail in a steamer leaving in the morning, via Nassau. It will reach New York mext Saturday. I telegraph it in full: — j MR, O’RELLY'S LETTER. e Reswence or THE GovERNMENT, ; Cupa Lisrz, March 10, 1873. f Ifany should complain that the above ad- Gress is somewhat general I must protest the old rule, which directs that when we are in Rome we must do as Rome does. Besides it would scarcely add to the information of the weaders of the Hznaty to give ( THE NAME OF A SMALL CLEARING in the midst of a wild mountain district, only known to a few skilled guides. However, be- fore I finish this letter, I shall make the local- Sty of the present residence of the government spproximately known to all interested in so gravea matter. This can be done without any breach of confidence, as, before this letter Reaves the encampment, the residence, like the palaces in the Chartrain fairy tales, will hhave taken wings to parts that for the moment goust remain unknown. In order to prevent misapprehension, it is necessary to say that the 9 MYSTERY AS TO THE WHEREABOUTS of the residence of the government exists only for the outside world. Any of the Cuban chiefs could place an ambassador or commis- sioner in contact with President Cespedes in the time ‘requisite for the journey from his eamp to the temporary residence of the Presi- dent, Even the comnion soldiers, to my sur- prise, were not alone aware of the immediate place of residence of President Cespedes! but also of the district to which the government was about to be transferred. The reason why I mention these circum- stances is av idea I found very prevalent AMONG THE SPANISH OFFICERS that Cespedes and his government were as much a mystery to Cuba Libre as they are to the rest of the world, I have, in my anxiety \ NEW portance to be treated of here, in order to say that I have SEEN AND SPOKEN WITH PRESIDENT CESPEDES. To the representative of the Hznap has fallen the honor of being the first commis- sioner from the outside wo: hag pene- trated to the seat of : pnd held communication ‘with a new that, amid all difficulties and dangers, has been able to maintain itself for four years in despite of the efforts made to crush it by the Spanish gov- ernment. Hawing claimed this honor struggle. As I was anxious to know how the change of form of government was likely to affect the conduct of the insurgent leaders I asked General Garcia whether, in the event of the definite establishment of the Republic in Spain, the insurgents would be content to allow Cuba to remain an integral portion of the Spanish dominions? To this the General replied: — GENERAL GARCIA YNIQUEZ ON CUBAN. INDE- PENDENCE. “The well known instability of Spanish gov- ernments gives us no guarantee that the Repub- lic, even if definitely established, would exist for any length of time. ‘The same insubordi- YOR THE ENTERPRMER.OF THE HERALD, J relaxp to the natura) equimsy of my history. For reason@ which I shall afterwards explain, to announce the successful fulfilment of the most important part of my mission, passed I must pase over in silence the events of the 19th, 20th and part of the 2lst of February. Three days were occupied in my passage from Santiago de Cuba through the Spanish lines to the outlying Cuban encampment, where I ¢enterod for the first time that Cube Libre which T had hitherto sought unsuccessfully. The feeling of pleasure and satisfaction experi- enced amid THE FEW HUTS OF STRAW AND PALM. LEAVES at the successful termination. of the fatigues and dangers of the preceding days cannot be conveyed to the general reader, but such as have passed through similar experiences will understand them. MY FIRST CARE WAS TO, WRITE a few lines to the Hxnaxp, in the hope that, by means of the slow and difficult communi- cation of the Cubans with the outer world, the news of my safe passage through the Spanish lines should be communicated to the Hzratp. T'was the more anxious to do this immediate- ly, as I feared that, owing tothe escape of my horse in the mountains and his probable re- turn to Santiago de Cuba, A REPORT WOULD GET ABROAD THAT I WAS DEAD. This was rendered the more probable by the constantly repeated warnings given by the Spanish officers and others that my solitary expeditions to the country would in all proba- bility terminate fatally. Now that the danger is passed, I am free to confess that had I fully recognized the risk incurred in the constant excursions I made to the country I would probably NOT HAVE VENTURED 80 OFTEN into loncly and uninhabited districts. The Cubans whom I first met told me frankly that had I appeared on horseback alone in the neighborhood of the encampment, in all probability I would have been SHOT ON SIGHT, under the impression that I was a Spaniard. The man who told me so, with the approba- tion of his auditors, had been himself the vic- tim of an occurrence of this nature, and was slowly recovering from the effects of @ shot which had passed through both his legs. He had suddenly found himself in presence of TWO AMBUSHED SPANIARDS, who had fired immediately on recognizing him os an. insurgent. Neither this man nor his companions would have waited to scru- tinize too closely a well-dressed and well- mounted stranger. The garb would have been sufficient, and THE MACHETE WOULD HAVE FINISHED speedily and without question the work of the bullet. My character, however, once recognized, I felt as safe among these people as Tever did in the most polished centre of civilization. It would be impossible to show more consideration and respect to a sovereign than has been shown to me during my resi- dence among the Cuban insurgents. It is true that they have no delicacies to offer, and their hospitality to one accustomed to what we call comfort cannot ‘fui! (6 appear somewhat rude; but what they have is GIVEN FREELY AND GRACEFULLY, so that if they were not constantly reminding me of the good things they cannot give me, I would forget them in the enjoyment of the little they possess. From the moment of my arrival in the Cuban lines on the 21st of Feb- ruary until I reached the headquarters of GENERAL CALIXTO GARCIA YNIQUEZ, on the 26th, little of importance transpired. General Garcia was not in camp when I ar- rived, as he did not expect me for some days, having despatched AN ESCORT OF TWENTY RIFLEROS to Cambute to convey me to headquarters. In the meantime, however, I had left the en- campment of Tampee, accompanied by Com- mandante Vegas and some thirty of his bat- talion, and, having taken a different route, missed the rifleros. General Maximo Gomez, however, anid General Calvar were at the headquarters, and received me in the absence of the General commanding the troops, who soon after appeared and EXPRESSED SATISFACTION AT MY ARRIVAL in the Cuban lines, where I had been for some time expected. General Calixto Garcia Yniquez is a young man, rather tall and very slightly built. He is thirty-three years of age, and, though his hair is prematurely tinged with gray, scarcely appears so old. Ina his manner he is affable and not wanting in grace and a certain dis- tinguished air. He speaks rapidly and at times imperatively. In character he is ner- vous, energetic and astute, and evidently pos- sesses the properties of mind necessary for a leader in the peculiar class of wars waged by the Cubans. Like the majority of the Cuban officers, he has not had the advantage of a military education, and knows little about the science of war, except what he has learned during the four years’ struggle for indepen- dence. The fundamental PRINCIPLES OF GUERILLA WARFARE are well understood by the Cuban officers, thanks to the instruction of TWO DOMINICANS, GENERALS GOMEZ AND DIAZ. General Gomez is a war-worn soldier, brave, energetic and of a character of iron. He is, however, wanting in the higher education of an officer, and he has apparently received a general education less broad than his pupil, Calixto Garcia. He had, however, the advan- tage of a very long experience of war anda thorough practical knowledge of irregular war- fare. In great part the successful resistance of the Cubans during the first years of the war was due to the constancy and unwavering resolution of Diaz and Gomez, and, whatever may be the final issue of the struggle, these tw6 iten must oocupy a prominent position in ‘the history of Cuba. The news of the estab- lishment of THE REPUBLIC IN SPAIN was the chief topic of discussion. Thore seemed to be a very general agreement of opinion that it would be of short duration and would share the fate of most other Span- cover syents that 1 ponaides of sufiicions im- | ish governments, after a moze or loss prolonged nate spirit that has overthrown the govern- ment of Amadeus this month may overthrow the government of the Republic next month, We might accept the Republic to-day; but who will say that before many weeks we might not be called upon to RECOGNIZE ALFONZO OR THE REACTIONARY DON CARLOS, or some other form of monarchial govern- ment. If we remain a part of the Spanish dominions we must accept every revolutionary change, however reactionary it may be; must be subject to constant variations of policy and the general wants of confidence which results from them. We do not wish this. We are too far separated from Spain by dis- tance and by interests to submit to be DRAGGED AFTER HER IN THE EVER-RECURRING CONSPIRACIES and revolutions by which her government is marked. We desire to be independent, but if this is impossible we wish to attach ourselves to some strong government that will be able to guarantee to us liberty and order, so that we may develop in peace the resources of our country. But, above all things, we desire first to achieve independence; and I believe I express the opinion of the immense majority of the Cubans who have arms in their hands when I say that all RECONCILIATION WITH SPAIN IS IMPOSSIBLE, except on the basis of independence. The only terms we have to offer are that the Span- iards shalt go away and leave Cuba to take care of its own future. It appears to me that there exists a large party in favor of annexa- tion to the United States. In the Central De- partment the annexationists have always been very strong, but in the Eastern Department the main idea has been independence, ENGLAND'S PLAN TO AID CUBA. “In the beginning of the war the English sympathized with us a good deal, and even afforded us some slight aid. They suggested the formation of a confederation of the An- tilles, and were strongly opposed to the idea of annexation. Indeed, they warned us strongly against thinking of it, and hopes were held out that England would abandon Jamaica as she had abandoned the Ionian Islands, in order to facihtate the formation of THE CONFEDERATION OF THE ANTILLES. “In the Eastern Department this project has been received with most favor, especially on account of the manner in which the United States acted toward us during our struggle for independence. Many of the strongest annexationists have become disgusted. How- ever, we are all pretty well agreed that before adopting any project for the future it is necessary to achieve our independence.’’ THESE VIEWS WERE ACCEPTED with slight modification by all present, and though I conversed with all the prominent emda large number of the subordinate offi- cers, I did not meet one man willing to accept a reconciliation with Spain on the condition of Cuba remaining an integral part of the Spanish dominion. Rather than do so it seemed to be pretty generally resolved. to con- tinue the war until the CUBANS OR THE SPAINARDS WERE EXTERMINATED. In the course of conversation General Garcia referred to the REPORT PUBLISHED BY MR. HENDERSON in the Heratp of an interview with President Cespedes. He said:--‘‘We were much amused by reading Mr. Henderson’s account of the President. Unfortunately, however, for the correctness of the description, President Ces- pedes HAS WORN ALL HIS BEARD for some time, though at the time he was in Camaguey, some eighteen months before, he went clean-shaved. Mr. Henderson evidently saw the cavalry of Camaguey, but at the time he says he met President Cespedes with Agra- monte, in the Central Department, the Presi- dent was with me ; so that it was IMPOSSIBLE THAT MR. HENDERSON COULD HAVE SEEN HIM.” I expressed regret that any correspondent of the Henaxp should have been guilty of mak- ing so unfounded a statement, but assured the General that as soon as the falsehood was known to the proprietor of the Hznatp THE PUBLIC WOULD BE AT ONCE INFORMED of it. The General strongly approved of this course, as he said the Cuban cause had nothing to gain from falsehood. General Garcia informed me that he was about to undertake some OPERATIONS OF IMPORTANCE. I told him that I desired especially to ac- company him as a reporter and a neutral, and, as it was not exactly certain that President Cespedes had not set out ona projected visit to another district, it was agreed that A SPECIAL MESSENGER should be sent to him, advising him of my safe arrival, and requesting that he should in- dicate & point where I would be certain to meet him. At the time of my arrival at the headquarters of General Garcia, who had lately been raised to the rank of MAJOR GENERAL COMMANDING THE EASTERN DE- PARTMENT, there were not more than two hundred armed menincamp. The information was tendered me that the troops were concentrating, and that in a few days there would be detachments from the forces of Holguin, Santiago de Cuba and Jiguani, which, with Guantanamo, consti- tute the command of Calixto Garcia Yniquez. On the 1st of March the last of the troops arrived, under the command of COLONEL PERALTA, a brother of General Peralta, who perished in one of the ill-fated Cuban expeditions. The Colonel had been wounded on the road and was obliged to be carried in an impro- vised hammock. His battalion consisted of over two hundred men, more than half of whom, in addition to the convoyeros, were unarmed. In the evening A GENERAL REVIEW OF THE TROOPS was held, when over four hundred men ap- peared on parade, About one-third of the whole pumber were armed with preech-loading — rifles. the balance with Spri muzzle-leading rifles. Some of the battalions presented tolerably decent appearance, while others were ia~— A FRIGHTFULLY. RAGGED Falstaff’s army of ragamuffins respectable appearance in comparison, at I 80 far as the clothes were concerned. Measured by the standard of my expectations, the force was well clothed and equipped; for the Spanish officers had told me so many stories of the wretched condition of the Cubans that Texpected to find soldiers and officers in uni- forms closely resembling that of OUR FIRST PARENT ON LEAVING PARADISE. So far from’ this being true, I ‘yas astonished to find all the officers well dreqed, and some of them even tastefully. There was noattempt at uniformity, but nearly all were scrupulously clean. In the ranks there was‘more diversity, and many of the soldiers were not alone ragged, but very nearly naked, ONE @TRAPPING BROWN MAN struek my imagination as the impersonation of heroic patriotism. Hig costume consisted of the rim of o straw hat, through whieh appeared the crown of a woolly head, and something resembling a ragged and scanty dishcloth was bound around his loins. A rifle and a carlouchiere completed this patriot's equipment. To the eye accustomed to the neatness and order of regular troops it would have been impossible to present a sight more ridiculous than that varied line of troops pre+ sented, and it was with difficulty I repressed a smile as 1 walked down the line; but though to the eye the scene was grotesque, to the im- agination and TO THE INTELLECT IT WAS SUBLIME. Shoeless, blanketless; in many cases without coats, often with a piece of ragged linen doing service as a.uniform, these men support the hardships and fatigues of an unequal struggle with a patience and courage that have seldom been equalled and never excelled. IF WE WOULD RESPECT THE CUBAN CHARACTER we must see it here in the camps. Between the men in the field and the effeminate and cowardly race of the towns there is a separa- tion so wide and so distinct that I can scarcely believe that they are of the same blood; yet they assure me that the change has been made in the war, and that four years ago they were like the men whom I cannot help despising. About ONE-THIRD OF THE FIGHTING MEN ARE WHITE, and the majority of the other two-thirds are of color other than black. The most perfect equality exists, the officers taking precedence by rank, and though the majority of the officers are white, a very large proportion are colored. On the 34 of March General Garcia broke up camp and MARCHED IN A WESTERLY DIRECTION through a wild and deserted country, more level than usual, and presenting at intervals sayannas of considerable extent. The heat, passing through tho tall Guinea grass, was suffocating, and was aggravated by the ABSENCE OF DRINKABLE WATER. With the exception of one small stream we had to depend for our supply on a few wells, the quality of the water being detestable. In the afternoon we halted at a wooded hill called Canadon, about FOUR MILES FROM JIGUANT, a town of considerable importance. In front of this hill there is a considerable open space, surrounded on all sides by woods through which the road from Jiguani to Dos Bocas passes, The forces under General Garcia oc- cupied the hill of Canadon, with the flanks resting in the woods on either side command- ing the rond.- The timber on the face of a considerable portion of the hill was felled, and A SLIGHT PARAPET ERECTED at the head of the clearing. Iwas informed by General Garcia that the motive for this preparation was his intention 10 PROVOKE THE SPANISH FORCES TO BATTLE, in the hope that they would attack him in this advantageous position. When we left the encampment of Dos Bocas in the morning the foree mustered 520 men. We were afterwards joined by three companies of the forces of General Calvar, which numbered about one hundred men. Ido not know if there were other troops; but it appeared to me that there | were some SEVEN HUNDRED ARMED MEN on the ground, in addition to some four or five hundred convoyeros, who were unarmed, As it was expected the Spanish troops would attack the position, the officers of the staff were anxious to put down the fighting strength of the Cuban forces to its lowest figure, and they admitted there were present over six hundred men. In the nighta force of about one hundred and thirty men were sent ona reconnoissance to Jiguani with ORDERS TO FIRE ON THE SOLDIERS | in order to induce them to pursue the party. Whether the Spaniards were advised or not I | am unable to say; but when the Cuban de- tachment arrived everything was as still as death in the town. A scout was sent forward twice, and he reported the houses abandoned as far as the trinchera, or fortifications. The detachment, which was under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Saladrios, ENTERED THE TOWN IN THREE DIVISIONS, and arrived close to the barricade occupied by the Spaniards. As the Cuban troops en- tered the Spanish soldiers were crying the alerta, and nothing transpired to indicate that they were aware of the presence of the Cubans until THE SENTINELS ON THE BARRICADE CHALLENGED the advancing parties. Not receiving a satis- factory reply the guards fired with deadly effect, especially on one division, that, dis- obeying orders, had advanced too close to the barricade. THE CUBANS REPLIED TO THE FIRE AND RE- TREATED rapidly, carrying off their dead and wounded. When the divisions reunited it was found” that two men had been killed and eight wounded, two of the latter mor- tally, The only compensation for this severe loss was a few articles of clothing found in the deserted houses, This check seemed in no way to dampen the spirits of the troops, and the hope was constantly ex- pressed that the garrison would be en- couraged by their success to pursue the party. In this the Cubans were FATED TO BE DISAPPOINTED, as, owing either to the amaliness of the garri- son or & knowledge of the design of the Cyoan generals, the Spaniards contented {aomeclves YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16,91873—QUapnwrun, onsiTy ment was SENT TO KILL CATTLE Pe with sending out a small reconnoitering party, | this silent and awful region, where the stile that contented itself with advancing a few | ness was only broken by the dull chop of the miles from the town. Next day a detatch- | machete or the monotonous no‘e of some lonely bird. We had penetrated THE MOUNTAIN REGIONS OE JIGUANI, ps ny QF cattle farm close to the town, ® | and the sense of loneliness was absolutely op. were sent to complete the destruction of the | frightful rocks, bleached and covered by time, cattle farm, with instructions to carry off a8 | that look like the heaped up bones of the many of tho cattle as they could catch, and in | giants of a time when ordinary men were of | encountered was an enemy ora friend before any case to killas many as possible of the ani- mals, 80 as to Titanic stature, we arrived on THE BANKS OF THE RIO AZUL, ~ DEPRIVE THE TOWN OF ITS CHIE? MEANS OF | through whose crystal waters can be counted SUPPORT, These orders were faithfully carried dat by Colonel Sanchez and the troops under his command, By half-past eight the potrero was in flames for a distance of a league, and the cattle either dead or driven into the woods. ‘The soldiers and the unarmed men were LADEN WITH THE MEAT, and orders were given to form a line of march to return to the encampment. At the entrance of the potrero the road is slightly depressed, and a wood extending in the direction of the town forms a semicircle commanding com- pletely the outlet from the potrero. The Cuban forces had reached this point when their bugles sounded silence. Scarcely hnd the sound died away when a volley was delivered FROM A SPANISH AMBUSCADE, distributed in three divisions. By a miracle noone was touched, and the Colonel, dismount- ing, ordered the men to advance. Ina moment the sacks of meat fell tothe ground, and a rapid and well sustained fire was opened on the Spanish ambuscade. It was their turn now to be surprised; for the Cubans possessed plenty of ammunition, and were confident in their numbers, The Spanish forces did not number over one hundred and fifty, and by a strange freak of fortune THEIR THREE BUGLERS HAD BEEN SHOT, one after another, as soon as they sounded an order, Notwithstanding the disparity of the forces THE SPANIARDS FOUGHT WITH VALOR AND TE- NACITY, as they always fight, but were obliged to give way before superior numbers. A movement of retreat in the face of a Cuban force is dis- astrous. The moment the soldiers perceived that the Spaniards were retreating they ad- vanced with a rush, and the defeat was turned intoa rout. Then THE HORRORS OF THE SITUATION were developed. The Spanish soldiers, lost in the woods in the darkness, fell an easy prey to their enemies. So dark was the night that it was necessary to inquire whether the person striking. THIS DID NOT LAST LONG, for what remained of the Spanish troops were in full flight for the town, which, fortunately for them, was close at hand. The most terri- ble and inhuman feature of this awful warfare was, fortunately, hidden by the dark cloak of night. THE WOUNDED SPANIARDS who had fallen had crawled into the woods to save themselves from the vengeance of their foes. Here the Cubans followed them, grop- ing in the dark and listening for the sigh or groan of the wretched men to direct them to where the helpless wounded lay. In most cases the unfortunates were discovered and the deadly machete finished the work of the rifle, “AVE MARIA, ME MATAR!’ exclaimed one poor fellow as the heavy machete cut his cord of life, and the appeals for mercy of the helpless were the more heart- rending that they were made to ears that were deaf and to hearts steeled by the bloody mem- ories of four years of warto the death. It was revolting and disgusting. My heart sick- ens when I think of it, and I am thankful that the sight was spared me. Is liberty worth such atrocity, I thought. It pains me to have to record deeds of such dreadful bar- barity, but my mission is to tell the truth, plain and unvarnished. My instructions are to spare neither Spaniard nor Cuban WHEN CONDEMNATION I8 DEMANDED, as well as to award praise where deserved whether for Spaniard or Cuban, Therefore I must pronounce this butchery of helpless wounded and prisoners what it is—barbarous and inhuman. THE MATERIAL RESULTS OF THE VICTORY consisted in three bugles, seventeen rifles, the boots, clothes and other effects of the slain, and the sentiment. that the men who had fallen o few nights before were amply avenged. | - THE LOSS OF THE SPANIARDS in dead was estimated at twenty-five killed on the spot and thirty wounded in the retreat, who had not been discovered in the darkness of the night, or owing to the proximity of the town had escaped. The Cuban loss was one officer killed, two wounded and six soldiers wounded. The morning after this success the Cubans quitted the encampment, according to their custom, so that when the Spanish troops should come to avenge their comrades they would find no one, A COMMISSIONER ARRIVED FROM CESPEDES, bearing letters, in which he expressed satis- faction at the arrival of the Henaty commis- sioner, and indicating the point where I could | meet him, as he had fortunately not set out on | his intended journey. Under these circum- stances 1 TOOK LEAVE OF GENERAL GARCIA and the officers of his staff, and set out in search of the President, escorted by a bat- talion of infantry. On the second day's march, having crossed the points deemed most dangerous, the battalion returned to join the forces of General Garcia, leaving me in charge of Colonel Ramirez and an escort of fifteen men. The route lay through A FRIGHTFULLY GLOOMY COUNTRY, the road passing through dense forests and over precipitous mountains. So dense were the woods that it was impossible to travel on horseback, and it was with the greatest diffi- culty and only by. the constant use of the machete that a passage could be made for my horse. It is to me a marvel how the men suc- ceeded in passing him, for the road at times | lay through heaped up bguidets of Nmostone | formation, over which { climbed PRESIDENT WIT DIFFICULTY, ixp Nor witnour sur- - FERING. the pebbles on the sand beneath. Rock and wood blend delightfully in the composition of @ scene which combines the picturesquely ‘gavage with the softer sylvan beauties, At ine tertals the placid current of the transparent streaniis broken by huge boulders rising out of the bedof the river, forming irregular bar+ riers, that seem to meditate stopping the flow of the water; \but a few yards further the river moves omin peaceful grane deur, reflecting on its the majestic trees and ing our journey, we passed strewn with dead and dying leaves, that duce a sentiment of depression and 8 on the mind, recalling too forcibly withered hopes and shattered fortunes of the many thousands of gallant heurts that aie swered to the cry of freedom sent up at Yara some four years ago. 4 LIKE THESE LEAVES have perished thousands, and suffering and disease have already stamped. with theseal of death hearts that were the light and hope of happy homes. These reflections were fore tunately brought to a sudden close by the HARSH CHALLENGE OF A NEGRO. SENTINEL, posted at some distance in the wood, He declined to take the word of the advance guard as sufficient assurance that they were” Cubans and good patriots, and ordered the commander to advance, Colonel Ramires was at once recognized, and, with the commis- sioner of the Hzratp, allowed to proceed to the camp, where President Cespedes and’ members of his Cabinet had their headquate ters, The appearance of THE RESIDENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT was certainly far from impressive for the strictly material mind. A narrow path through the forest led to a small clearing in the woods, in which were situated some twenty huts, constructed of pencas de manaca. The ground, covered with stumps of trees, and with a scant foliage, rising on either side of a very small rivulet running through the centre of the encampment, increased the mel- ancholy look of the place. On the further side of the little rivulet a group of young officers were waiting to receive me, among them THE 80N OF THE PRESIDENT, Colonel Cespedes. As soon as the presenta. tion of these gentlemen was over I was in- formed they were sent to conduct me to th presence of the President, THE PRESIDENT'S PALACE. I followed them some distance toa huta little larger and somewhat more commodious than its neighbors, but the difference could not excite discontent in the most envious mind. The most enthusiastic socialist and leveller would not desire a more modest presi- dential mansion. PRESIDENT CESPEDES. On entering, a small, well-built man, rather stout of body and below the middle height, rose to receive me, One of the officers said: — ‘THIS 18 THE PRESIDENT."” And at the same time President Cespedes, advancing with hand extended, said very dis- tinctly in English: — “I am very glad to see you.’’ I was frightfully tempted to try a little stage effect and leave a mot for posterity. In fact, like other people in similar circumstances, I had arranged in my own mind, while toiling over those sharp, infernally pointed rocks, a very magnificent phrase; but at the last mo- ment either my moral courage failed or MY NATIONAL MODESTY OVERCAME MBE. I said nothing worthy of posterity, but simply expressed my satisfaction at seeing President Cespedes well, and thanked him for the cordial reception he was pleased to extend to me. HIS PERSONAL APPEARANCE. President Cespedes is a small man with a good deal of iron in his composition, stands remarkably erect and is nervous in action and in temperament. His features are small with a claim to regularity. The forehead, high and well formed; the face oval and a little worn by time and care; his eyes, gray with a tinge of brown, are bright and penetrating. His mouth and the lower part of his face are concealed by a mustache and beard of iron gray, with a few black hairs interspersed. When he emiles he shows his teeth, which are wonderfully preserved and of extreme whiteness. INTRODUCED TO THE STAFF. As soon as the first exchange of courtesies was concluded the President introduced me to Sefior Miguel Bravo, Secretario de Guerra, and afterwards to the members of his staff, President Cespedes then requested me to be seated, pointing to a fixed stool made of rudely-planed laths, close to the table, on which were placed some pamphlets relative to the Cuban question and 4 FEW COPIES OF THE HERALD. Afew books and bundles of papers were arranged in an orderly manner about the hut, which contained no furniture but a hammock, table rudely constructed of sticks bound to- gether by the Magaqus, & vegetable cord which abounds in the woods. In addition, a few valises were placed against the side of the hut containing the Presidential wardrobe. A revolver suspended from a belt of golden tex- tureanda sixteen shooting Winchester rifle completed the very simple furniture of the residenge of the President of the Cuban Re- public, ‘The first qnestiong ” yr Exray ITO Tail Goman . and whether the Spaniards had permitted me to pass freely. On learning the threat of General Morales de los Rios to shoot me in case I should be captured, President Cespedes ~ OFFERED TO SEND ME TO JAMAICA Tho Etiges of the rocks were sharp as the points of chevaue de frie, and seemed to be placed by naturo as an obstacle to advance ip Ee, in one of the Cuban boats that constantly | connINU"D ON SEVENTH PAGR \ \