The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-19
GEN. BANDERA's LAST FIG HI:
How the Ex-sIave Died Fighting for Cuba libro
"A Remarkable Career.

"A hemnrknbie career.
With the death of Major-Gen. Quintin Ban
dera at Papaya Heights, Sancti Spiritus. on July
4, there closed ono OF tho most remarkable
careers in the history Of the Cuban army. Ban
dera was born a slave, on a plantation near
Santiago de Cuba, about sixty-fve years ago.
At the breaking out OF tho ten years war he
answered his country's call and was among the
first to enlist in the famous Oriental Regiment.
He was about q feet = inches In height and
as u lion. he soon became noted for his bravery
and was promoted 10 Second Lieutenant by the
late Gen. Antonio MaceO.
A short time Rtterward 1t became necessary
to SEND dispatches to the United States. Ban
dera volunteered for the mission, and set out
managed TO run the blockade safely and deliv.
cred his dispatches in due time. lie returned to
United States after his arrival there.
During tho tedious years OF hardships which
his country unfalteringly. and when the end
came he was among the last to surrender. He
returned to his old work, that OF u plantation
ing To secure tho freedom of his country.
The Cubans. who, under the leadership of
attempt to free themselves. looked upon Ban.
dera as their principal General, and when. on
Feb. "a, 1898. he walked out OF the town OF
Santiago de Cuba half OF the negro population
OF the Town followed him.
Hard work and time had changed the supple
young negro OF '6s into an old man. but he still
retained his wonderful strength and bravery.
Bandera resumed his old method of warfare,
Spaniards. lie would strike a blow and BIO
miles away, laughing at the discontinue OF his
i"sS lad So been 'a am opsni tbeiS' 4T Ths s! sp ahf dao ne eHat
, papers were full of accounts of his "depreda-
lions. !" and the wires were kept busy Announcing
When Gomez arranged his famous invasion
Bandera was maie M~ajor-General and placed
the nghling fell on his infantry, ami when the
army reached The Trinidad Hills. in Santa
W were ,p pFSydinf fe r 1sS meP beS MGrI G nandets!s 9 tnii
lowers, numbering about. 300. were almost
naked, and he was at u loss how to obtain
FINALLY he wrote to the Mayor OF SAINTS Clara
and demanded q suit OF clothes and blanket for
Bander II will send them 10 you for what they
arc IN need of. He promptly received the neoded
Bandera set out to Join Gen. Gomez, who was
fighting in Havana province, in the month of
March. During this march 1t was that the old
warrior met his nrst ana greatest defeat. Sue
cess had dulled his natural caution. On March
8, having called in all his outposts and formed
ticed that the horse he rode was lame. Ill
called for another; and while waiting for its
were advancing from all sides.
Bandera. although taken by surprise, retained
his presence OF mind and early set about mar,
too late, however. His lines were routed, and
the old leader was lett with barely a handful OF
way. and, crossing .Weylcrs trochh, he Joined
Antonio Maceo, with whom ne fought until the
%lattor's death.
The following is an extract from a letter writ.
ten by one OF Bandera's officers, who claims "a
have been present at the time OF the Major-Gen'
erals death:
THE Spaninrds were in possession OF the
Papoye Hill, tho principal one on the range
which goes by that name, and were shooting
into our ranks with tremendous effect. Gen
Bandera, who was suffering from u wound IN
the neck, was sitting ON his horse, Manbi
watching the, hight. : No must charge he said
calmly, For else retire
He at once turned and ordered a charge.
Our men had been lighting Tor hours and wer,
completely tired out. iwlce they charged ny
the hill, and each time they were beaten bach
by the awful rain of bullets. Bandera saw This
and. without sayings word. he dashed over u
where they were and called ON them to follow
him..
with the old soldier at their head. This tim,
they drove the Spaniards from the top, but no
before BAndera had received "a mortal wound
He was conscious up 10 the last, and gHv'
orders as to what was to DO done with thu
munitions captured ana where tho men were Il
Bandera wss noted FOL his extreme GOODNESS II
the hour OF danger and for his kindness OF heart
His wife, = Spanish woman, wac driven out o
santiago de Cuba after her husband left for tn