The times., 1898-12-12

September OF that year Garcia was sur
rounded by 2.o08 Spaniards during the
absence of his main forces and, after a
desperate resistance. with his guard OF
twenty men, he decided to commit suicide
rather than be captured. He placed
pistol under his chin and discharged 1t.
The ball passed up and came out just
above his nose. in the center of his fore
head. The scar. remains to this day.
The Spaniards carried him in triumph
to Manzarhllo. where he recovered. al
though the bullet had passed through his
palate. He was then sent to Spain and
imprisoned I'm dungeons at Valencia and
Santona- He suffered q living death for
four years until the peace of Zanjon was
declared in 1871 Then he was liberated
by Premier Canovas, at the cab.e1 request
OF Gov Gen. Campos, of Cuba. For this
action campos has always been admired
by the Cubans.
Garcia returned to New York and, with
Jose Marti, attempted to renew the war.
He made a landing on the coast OF Cuba
with a handful of followers in an open
boat He was again taken prisoner and
was banished 10 Spain, where he remain-
cd under government surveillance in
Madrid.
When the last revolution broke out. in
1894. he watched for an opportunity to
| escape and finally managed 10 land in
France. He went 10 Paris and reached
New York in October, 1885. He then or
ganized the filibustering expedition on the
steamer Hawkins, which was wrecked off
Barnegar. Garcia was the last to leave
the vessel and was rescued by passing
schooner.
In February, 1896. he fitted out the Ber-
muda and was arrested by the United
States authorities for filibustering while
the vessel was In New York harbor. He
forfeited 5000 bail and the Bermuda
landed her cargo safely in Cuba Here
he Joined his countrymen and was elect
ed lieutenant colonel shortly after the
death of Maceo.
His great achievement in capturing
Guaimaro in December. 1896. made hin.
formidable. He stormed and took sixteen
forts before the garrison could be COM
PEELED to surrender. He crossed and re-
crossed the island, and laughed at the
Spanish forces, which he out-geueraled at
every point until war was at last de-
clared between the United States and
Spain.
He co-operated with the American
troops and rendered valuable aid before
the capture of Santiago. Gen Miles ecog-
nized his merit and was always grateful
for the assistance rendered by Garcia, as
the report of Gen. Miles, just issued. will
show.
Gen. Garcia was then elected to the
Cuban Assembly and was chosen chairman
of the Cuban Commission to Washington.
He has always had the full. confidence of
the people of Cuba and they lose through
his death their greatest man.
Gen. Jose NJ. Gomez. In speaking of the
passing of the leader said last night: His
death will awaken the sympathy of the
American people to our cause. II will
benefit the work of this commission
Maj. Gen Miles, in speaking of Gen.
Garcia TO Senior Quesada yesterday after
noon. said: He was a magnificent man.
He reminded me of what George Wash
ington must have been
Col. Manuel Sanguilly said: His death
is public calamity to the Cubans. 1t
has changed the political future of the
island
Gen. Garcia leaves widow and five
children. Col. Carlos Garcia. who is in
Cuba; Justo. who Is in this city, and
Mario, are his three sons. He leaves two
daughters, Lenore. who is married and
lives in Paris, and Mercedes, who is dying
from consumption in Thomasville. Ga.
T, Sonora Garcia. the widow. who is at
Thomasville, was notified yesterday of the
death of her husband.
Arrangements for the funeral have not
yet been completed. These are in charge
OF Maj. Gen. Wheeler. who telegraphed to
Cardinal Gibbons last night requesting
| that the latter officiate at the funeral.
Gen. Garcia will be given a military fu-
| neral in accordance with his rank of lieu
tenant general.
The details have not yet been decided
upon, but the remains will probably be
| placed in vault in this city until the
evacuation of Cuba has been completed.
when they win be inferred at his native
town, Holguin.
The old warriors address 10 the Cuban
| army began thus:
If we die in the struggle we shall be
dead, but our country shall live, and We
will be honored thereby"