The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-15
sxctch of Ignncio Argra month.

sketch of Ignacfo Agra monte.
The subject OF This SKETCH Ignacio de Agramonte.
the Bayard of the Cuban revolution, was born at
Puerto Principe, in Cuba, OF highly respectable and
wellto-do parents in the year 1913. After passing
through the curriculum OF liberal home educa-
tion he was SENT while comparatively young, to
Havana, where he entered the University. and
worked with all the concentrated energy OF his
realistic nature till he gained the reputation Of
being one OF the most talented and promising men
in the place. About this time he resolved to make
law his profession, ard with great ease passed a
rigorous examination and was admitted to prac
tice as a member OF the Havana bar. Fortune ia
vored the young lawyer with practice and
renown. He resolved to marry and did so.
In the early part OF 1868 the revolution
which has since gained such immense proportions
was its inception, and 1t was not till the Grito de
Yara," in the latter part Of the year, that young
Agramonte fully realized the desperate hate which
existed in the Cuban bosom against Spanish rule
which held their island by FORCE ARrafnonte's pen
and law books were hastily discarded and, with
the warm impulses OF his nature. he was one OF the
1rst to raise the lone star banner OF "iree Cuba"
and TO commence carrying on a guerilla war. The
Spanish forces were not then as hardly pushed as
they are now, nor aid the Cuban patriots hold sway
on the same extent OF territory they now do Skin
mshes were almost an everyday occurrence. Young
Agramonte, with his chivalric nature always in
sisted upon being In the 'front.' RANKS and the
contempt he appeared to have for death was
ofttimes commented upon by his comrades and
the Spanards, who believed that he held
charmed lie. Such dashing bravery could not fail
to be appreciated by his commanding officer who
happened TO be General Quesada, and little Won
der was 1t that the month OF June, 1870 found the
Young lawyer enjoying the position OF major gene
raj and also member OF the Congress OF the Repub-
lie OF cuba from the Central Department. and 1t Is
related that Agramonte, by his eOquence and
logical powers was absolutely able to sway the
minds OF many OF the older Senators, who felt
themselves entranced with the young patriots
deep reasoning and noble thoughts. In addition to
serving under the command OF General Quesada,
he also fought with General Jordan now OF this city
and gained golden opinions on every side. Space
will not allow OF more than passing mention OF
the contests in which he took part. Suffice 1t TO
say that he was at the capture OF Las Tunas the
engagements Bonlla, Los Minas de Tana, FL
Cluseo and countless Others In company with the
monte his cousin, he formed the committee OF
three appointed by the Cuban government to rule
the Central Department.
While residing Tor some time In q mountain last
ness his young and beautiful vile gave birth TO a
boy. Later on she managed TO escape from Cuba
Libre ut her husbands entreaties who feared for
her liie and came on here, where she gave birth to
second child. She Is now living at the city OF
Agramonte did great damage to the Spaniard
by means OF his cavalry corps, composed principally
or farmers and creole negroes, who were wen
mounted and rode like centaurs. This corps OF
flying artillery, under the command OF Major Gen.
cral Agramonte, decimated II is reported. nine de-
tacnments Oh Spanish cavalry numbering each forty
to seventy men. When General Quesada left cuba
Iibre ON mission TO the United States for President
CeSpedes, AgramOnte was placed In supreme MILL
tary command OF the Central Department, and
since that time, he has remained down to the
moment OF his death fighting for Tree Cuba and for
the abolition OF slavery. His name has been
tower OF strength among the Cubans, and instead
of this sad event depressing their energy for carry
ing the strife 10 the bitter end IL will be IN all
probability but another incentive to them to be
Tree men or die.
His companion In the commencement of the
struggle was his brother who fought with him,
side by side. The parents OF Agramonte were
forced to fly the country on account OF their anln
ties with the revolution. The brother Just alluded
to sacrificed his ambition to his duty and came on
to New York to support the family. The father
soon fell victim to this rigorous climate and died.
and the mother became, and Is still, hearubroken
Her son is now practising doctor and resides In
this city with his mother, two sisters and brother
In concluding this brief sketch an illustration OF
| Auramonte's character is given. On one occasion
at Havana, a friend OF his was insuted by span
| ish major, named vacro, and ''duel to the
| deathn was agreed upon. Agramonte, being q
clever swordsman, wounded his adversary In
/ his face and In his body. and the loss
/ OF blood caused him to become SO weak that he
| could fight no longer Agramonte insisted that
i that the duel should terminate, instead OF giving
his opponent the coup dc grace, which most men IN
i his place would have done. No more honorcd
i name will ever live In the annals OF the CUBAN
i struggle for Independence than that OF ignacio
/ Agramonte. His upright character was respected
by his foes, as well IS passionatcy admired by bis
| c0mpatrlQtA