The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-24
ZERTUCHA TELLS
OF MACEO'S DEATH
Says It Was the Work of
Traitors in His
Camp.
Describes His Own Great Grief
Over the Loss of II
Chief.
Fell Victim of Political Conspira
tors, Who Were Bought With
Spanish Go d.

NEW YORK, N. Y, Dec. 23-Dr. Max
imo Zertucha, during the life of General
Antouio Maceo attached to his staff as a
surgeon, and after the death of Maceo ac-
cused of causing his betrayal into the
hands of the Spanish troops, has written q
letter to the Hera d, in which he describes
the death of General Maceo andthe causes
leading up to it as follows, with the pref
ace that he owes it to himself to state how
the event happened:
incline DEL SUR, Cuba, Dec %.
Msjor-General Antonio Maceo at O'Clock,
December s, accompanied by part of his gen.
eraI staff, namely, Generals Miro and Diaz,
Colonies Nodavaze and Gordon, Majors Piedra,
Juztis, Ahumada and Penalvir, Captain Sau-
vanel and myself, as surgeon of headquarters
general, four orderlies and Lieutenant
Francisco Gomez Toro, crossed the military
line between Mariel and Msjana a. the former
point. At 8 o'clock the following morning we
joined some twenty-five cavalrymen belonging
to Colonel Sartorious' command at Mosquitoes.
On the 9th we started toward Baracora.
During the march some eight men OF Lieu
tenant-Colonel Marcos command were inGor-
porated in our ranks. Together we went at
O'Clock that night to the grazing farm (Po-
trero) OF San Pedro. between Rineon and Co.
Sanchez and Colonel Delgado numbering some
400 men, all cavalry. 1t was 2 O'Clock in the
afternoon of the next day when word came to
our camp that the enemy's forces were moving
in our direction, following the trail We pre-
pared for the engagement.
The left flank was commanded by General
of Division Pedro Diaz; the right was under
the command of Colonel Delgado and Lieu
tenant-Colonel Acosta. Brigadier Sanchez
took command of the center.
The fight was under way when General
Maceo, accompanied by Brigadier Miro, his
adjutants and myself started toward the
battlefield. General Maceo moved forward to
within 500 PAGES OF e stone fence, behind
which the enemy's infantry was intrenched.
Brigadier Miro was to the right and to the
left of General Maceo. He raised his sword,
and saying to Brigadier Miro, This goes vel"
fell as if struck by lightning from the horse he
riding to the ground. A Mauser bullet
had entered the right side of the chin, causing
q fracture of the lower jaw in three places,
coming out of the left lateral side at the base
of the neck. The bullet IN its course tore the
carotid artery bringing on a mortal hem
orrhage which caused death in minute.
The moment General Maceo was wounded I
called for assistance. A trooper came to my
aid. He ped me, with great bravery under
severe fire, to raise the body Of my general
The trooper was at that moment wounded in
the thigh. Bullets were pouring over my
head and I remained intrenched behind the
generals horse, by the side of his body.
At that moment 1 saw the OF Major
General Maxine Gomez before me. He had
been wounded in the left shoulder during an
engagement we had on December 3 between
Caysjabos and CoIamos. HIS arm was in a
sling. We raised the body of Maceo and
placed it upon the horse. He took hold OF the
horses bride, while I held the general by the
feet. Then we started toward gate, which
was the outlet to the Enclosure we were in.
Gomez was then struck by bullet. He
sank to the ground. went TO his assistance
and General Maceo's body fell from the horse.
1 begged Gomez to let me carry him on
horseback out of that place. Nothing would
avail to persuade. He would reply to every
appeal: "Let the general be carried out first.
Then 1 win co.
Then, almost crazed, I galloped on the gen.
erals horse toward our forces, which, owing
TO the incidents of the engagement were at a
long distance away. 1 met the brave and
honest Diaz. Hearing what 1 had to say to
him and fastening to do his duty was the
work of an instant. The enemy had advanced !;
it was necessary TO dislodge him, and then we
recovered the bodies of Maceo and Lieutenant
Gomez. Had the latter died from the wounds
he had received in the chest and arms? No,
he was stabbed over the left side, near the
breast. He had over his forehead also a ma
chete wound which had divided his skull.
Their bodies had been stripped OF their
shoes. stockings, side arms and jewelry
Az o'clock that night the bodies were taken
to shed on the grazing farm, and there 1 ep-
peared before the commanding officers, who
were ignorant of General Maeeos death. An
affidavit of what took place was drawn up
and sworn to, and with other official docu-
ments in the case was sent to General Maxine
Gomez.
After stating the facts as they occurred
wish to speak about my humble personality.
Who killed Antonio Maceo? Who kiIled:Jose
Maceo? Was it the enemy's bullets at Ii Cato
and San Pedro? No, 1 will say thousand
times no. They were killed through the men
of the Council. They were killed through
those who having received money from the
Spanish Government afterwsrd demanded
places which did not belong to them in the
ranks of the revolution in whose behalf they
have done nothing, but they want to take
places at the t1rst.
When we were out of ammunition, with no
supDlies at all we followed the enemy's train
in search OF cartridge; when we had no
other hope or support than God, the Govern
ment Council, composed of Pima. Roloft and
others. we're holding back the forces under
Jose Maceo aud ]. NJ. Rodriguez from coming
to our aid.
Why? Because of high political motives.
What were these reasons? Not to lend sup
port To allow the enemy to. capture the un-
armed, i'll and wounded mulatto, Maceo. 1
have wept over the death OF him who was my
friend, my brother, rather than my chef.
have heard from his lips desperate words ut
tered at the disloyalty of his own people. To
whom he alluded, do not know.