In Puerto Principe Gomez captured every town he attempted to take, among them Alta Gracia, San Jeronimo and Coscorro.  He took Fort El Mulato, and in all the places secured large quantities of ammunition.  So enthusiastic was his reception in the provinces of Puerto Principe and Santa Clara that in the latter 400 Spanish volunteers joined him with their arms.

The most important battle of the summer occurred at Bayamo in July, just as Gomez was near the Spanish line between Santa Clara and Puerto Principe, where, in an engagement between the two armies, with about 3,000 men on either side, the Spanish forces were completely routed.

From that time on through the summer and far into the autumn, every day was marked by skirmishes, the taking of important places, and the threatening of the larger towns.  It kept the Spanish columns moving constantly, and the exposure in the rainy season killed thousands.

Maceo now separated his forces from Gomez’s command, and marched westward, fighting as he went, and everywhere meeting with success.  He established the new government in the cities and towns of Mantua, San Cristobal, Remates, Palacios, Paso Real de San Diego, Guane, Consolacion del Sur, Pilotos, Alonso de Rojas, San Luis, San Juan y Martinez, and others of less importance.

Pinar del Rio City, the capital of the province, was the only city of importance that held out, but it was cut off with communication with its port, Colon, and was short of provisions.  One supply sent by the Spanish for its relief, 100,000 rations, fell into Maceo’s hands.

In San Cristobal the Spanish flag on the government building was replaced by the emblem of the new republic, a mayor and city officials were appointed, resolutions were adopted by the new authorities, and, after all the arms in the town had been collected, Maco remained a day to rest his men and horses, and moved on the following morning at daybreak.

Generals Navarre and Luque were ordered to crush the insurgent army at all hazards.  Their combined forces consisted of 5,000 infantry, 200 cavalry, and 11 pieces of artillery.  After a two-days’ march they were joined by General Arizon’s command, which had encountered Maceo’s rear guard the previous day, with disastrous results.

Near Quivera Hacha, Navarre’s skirmishers encountered a small band of insurgents, and fearing that all of Maceo’s army was near, lines of battle were quickly formed.  The engagement lasted for less than half an hour, when the insurgent forces withdrew, without serious losses on either side.  General Navarro finally discovered that the principal part of Maceo’s forces was at the Armendores estate, and the seat of operations was changed.  General Luque succeeded Navarro in command, and several days now passed without any conflict of note.  Finally Luque led a charge upon Maceo’s vanguard, in the vicinity of Pinar del Rio, but the moment the attack was made he found himself under fire from the