There were two small children in the house.  From my information it appears that the troops mentioned had sustained fire with a rebel band in Paz plantation, a quarter-league from Estrella.  The rebels having fled to Pedroso and Buena Esperanza plantations, the government troops advanced toward Estrella in quite an opposite direction from that taken by the rebels.  On arriving at the borders of Estrella plantation the Spanish column began firing cannon at the dwelling house, and it was immediately invaded by the soldiers, who ransacked it, carrying off wardrobes, all jewelry and men’s clothing which they contained, as well as the sum of about $60 in money.  They also took away everything found in workmen’s dwellings, arresting at the same time twelve of the occupants, whom they conducted to Alquizar as insurgents.  It should be observed that the cannon were fired solely at the dwelling house of the owners, although there were twenty other buildings on the plantation, and the place was entirely clear of insurgents.

“In consideration of all the above, and particularly on account of the danger to which his relatives were exposed, and also for the unjustifiable looting on the part of the regular troops in the service of a constituted government, the undersigned does most solemnly protest, and asks an immediate indemnity for the damages suffered, which he values at $5,000, as all work has been stopped on the plantation and everything abandoned.”

A cruel attack.

The case of Dr. Deligado is a particularly pathetic one.  His home was in New York, where he was a practicing physician, but he went to Cuba to take possession of some property which he had inherited.  His father told the story of their sufferings to a correspondent, and his account was supplemented by additional particulars from the doctor himself.  The elder gentleman said: 

“Our plantation is called Dolores, the old name being Morales.  It was about half past one on the 4th day of March when a regiment of rebels, about four hundred or five hundred men, invaded the place.  They told us they were Maceo’s men, and soon after them came Maceo, with twenty-four women, sixteen whites and eight mulattoes.  I understood that these women were the wives of the officers.

“Maceo shook hands politely and asked if I would allow them to take breakfast with us.  Of course there was nothing to do but say yes, and the men spread themselves over about seventy acres of the plantation, the officers and ladies coming into the house.  They had provisions with them, but desired to cook and serve them, which they did.  They sat down at the table and were soon joking and laughing.  Suddenly we heard rifle shots.  Hernandez yelled to his wife to hand him his machete.  Then all went out and found that the firing had come from what seemed to be an advance guard of the Spanish troops.  There was some skirmishing at a distance, and the insurgents rode away.  They did not wish to fight on the plantation, as they were on another mission.