The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1896-04-24
GEN. ANTONIO MACEO.
The Cuban Chieftain's CRreer-Five OF
Ills Brothers. Dead on the Field or ba'-

The Cuban Chiefain's Career.Five o
Ills Brothers Dead on the fiei" OF ""''
tie.
, Jose Antonio Maceo, the Cuban Gen
eral, was born at Santiago de Cuba
} July H. 1913. His parents were Marcos
Maceo and Mariana Grajales, mulat-
toes of that city. and well esteemed for
their honesty and intelligence. Macco
mother was married twice. BY her
first marriage with n. Reglieferos, she
had four sons. Felipe, Manuel, Fermin,
and Gusto. The three latter died on
the field of battle, fighting against
Spain during the last war. Felipe
was so seriously wounded by the Span
sh that he is no. an invalid. by her
second marriage Mariana GrajaIes
had seven sons, including Jose Antonio
the elder jose, Rafael, Miguel. Julio,
and Tomas. Jose was during the ROY
oIution of 1868 one of the brave
Cuban leaders. and is now a Major
General in the Cuban war, well known
since the fierce battle Of Sac del In
do, which he won from General
| Canello. Rafael vas seriously wound
| ed in the last war and he died in exile
! from Cuba. Miguel was killed in the
battle of Nuevitas. Julio was Killed
in the encounter at FL Nuevo Mundo.
and Tomas, like Felipe, is now an in
valid on account of his wounds.
Hatred of Spain and the Spanish is,
therefore a traditional feeling among
the family of Maceo.
Maceo himself was wounded q
times by the Spanish troops. His chest
is pierced through and through, and
it is a source of wonder for every ply
stefan who has examined him how he |
can live. A wound in the chest pre- I
vents him from speaking very loud. I
His voice is so low that ii is necessary |
TO approach him closely to understand
what he says.
When the war of 1868 began Maceo
was working in the country as a peas
ant, employed on a farm. He joined,
with his brothers, the rebel ranks,
and was admitted as soldier. BY
his bravery he reached the tank of
major general and after Gomez was
the most important chief of the last
revolution. Two Of his more import
ant battles in the former war were
those of Demajagua, in Holguin, and
LaGaleta, in which he defeated Gen
eraI Martinez Campos His campaign
at Baracoa was also very brilliant
In 1878 he had his greatest triumphs
at San Ulpian, where the Spanish col
un.n of San Quintin had to retire be-
fore Maceo, leaving 100 dead on the
field. In that action the Spanish were
by Fidel Santocides, the
same one who was killed in this war by
Maceo's forces at the battle of Per
alejo.
When peace Zanjon was arranged
Maceo did not like to agree to any
treaty work with Spain. He contin
led lighting two nonths more Gen
'ral Martinez Calupos, under the date
If March 10, 1878. wrote thus to the
Prime Minister, Canovas del Castillo
1T is very difficult to arrange the
race in Santiago Cuba where Antonio
daceo rules. He was peasant and is
low General His ambition is enor-
nous, his courage great, his prestige
immense among his countrymen. He is
man of high natural talent. and for
i'm nothing could bc DONE notS!th
landing the wishes OF the Cuban. p
He has convinced (
'iceute Garcia that to yield is a dis
onor. - Z
Maceo was compelled to leave Cuba, 1
ut he did not sign the peace. He
anne TO the United States, and after I
ards went to South America. con- I
bring always against Spain. In 1890 J
G tried to new the revolution in I
uha but unsuecessfully In 1894 he 4
az attacked at Costa Rico by group =
Spauiards as be was leaving a =
ieatre. He was dangerously wounded, 4
NJ he killed one of his opponents L
] March 1898 he landed in Cuba
gain, followed some days after by
arti and Gomez. His life since is -
ell known to American readers. AT Y
lie battle of Paralejo, by defeating
pains first general; he added page of VI
ory>to his biography. Iobito Nal
Tempo, Sac del Indio, Candeiaria, are 4
IS most brilliant actions after Paraejo p
J account of his wonderful invasions
Pima del Rio, coming from Santiago
: Cuba first time and the second from
As Villas. General Weyler is now very
lXious to catch him passing the mil
any wall theSpanish have established
osa Mariel TO Majana, but the Cubans
c confident of Maceo's courage and
ility. E
Maceo's feelings at present are the
me as in 1873 He says that death u
better than any treaty with Spain
It based on the absolute independ- \
CO of the island. lie will never ac
pit autonomy or reforms. He hopes :
ly in the final success of the wa-
d with respect to the work of the ~
lbans in this country to obtain -
lligerent rights for the patriot
my he wrote a few days ago to
en- % am more confident in the
ce to arms than in the abilities of -
olomacy."