The times., 1898-11-23
GENERAL CALIXTO GARCIA.
The Heroic Part He Played in the
Late War


accompanying other commissioners who
desire to ascertain the purposes of the
United States concerning Cuba. The
presence of this distinguished soldier.
whose prowess has been much misunder-
stood, because 1t has been belittled by
Gen. Shafter and others of his caliber
has caused careful inquiry into his career:
particularly as to his connection with the
military operations leading up TO the cap
ture of Santiago.
While Gen. Miles was cndeavoring to
safely embark the expedition under COM
mand of Gen. Shafter he received cheer
ing news from the Cuban patriotsby cable,
on the 9th and 18th of June, in response
to instructions which he had sent to Gar
in the form OF suggestions and requests,
but they were heartily accepted as COM
mands. Nothing could have been more
convincing of the hearty good will of the
Cubans toward the American people and
American government at that time than
the alacrity with which this response was
made and the Instructions followed out.
course of procedure should have been
directed by those officers of the army
and officials of the Government acting
under direct instructions from the Gov
ernment. which has resulted in so mark
ed change of that cordial spirit. So
anxious was Gen. Garcia to assure us of
the readiness OF the patriot armies and
people to cooperate, that his response
was hurried forward through different
channels. in order that in case one should
miscarry another might reach Its destina-
tion. In that response Gen. Garcia was
careful to say that he would take meas
lures at once to carry out Gen Miles
recommendations, regarding them as
orders, and that he would Immediately
proceed to concentrate forces at the
points Indicated; that he would march
without delay; that already ne had sent
forces in order to prevent aid going to
Santiago from Holguin; that, repeating
every assurance of good will. he desired
TO second Gen. Miles's plans. How earn
est was his purpose. and how energetical-
Iy executed. is evidenced by the fact that
on the arrival of Gen. Skaters expedi-
ton. Garcia's forces were already in posi-
ton all about Santiago, practically en-
comprising that city and the Spanish
A glance at the positions he had seized
proves that "A superior soIdierly instinct
had guided him in their selection and
seizure. the result obtained being the
practical beleaguerment OF the city. feet
and harbor. and plainly indicates the point
where the American forces should have
landed and the tactics which obviously
could not have failed to give the Ameri-
cans with the least possible loss of life.
the probable possession of the enemys
feet or its certain destruction and. if We
so desired, the possession of the city also
Gen. Garcia had sent 3.000 men to hold
in check the l2.c0o Spaniards stationed at
Holguin: he had placed 2.OOO men across
the path which the $500 Spaniards at
Guantanamo would have TO follow If sue
cessful in an effort to re-enforce Santiago.
He also sent 1850 men to execute similar
duty in the event that the 5000 men III
Manzaniilo should attempt the same en-
terprise. This was, in fact, attempted by
more than half that garrison, and after
a continuous struggle they finally effected
their object despite the resistance of the
greatly inferior force of the Cubans, who
in no less than thirty skirmishes and en-
gagements. materially checked their prog
ress, and might have prevented the re-
enforcement but for Gen. Skaters re-
fusal to permit Gen. Garcia to send as
sistance to the small Cuban column.
Gen. Shafter. in replying TO Gen. Gar
cias representations, remarked that he
had no objection to the reinforcement
the more Spaniards in Santiago the bet
ter for then a greater number of pris-
oners would he captured. This was be-
fore the assault of July |. After that he
changed his mind and desired the an
preaching column intercepted, but it was
then too late. The result is a matter %
history.
1t was on the 9Th of June that Cdl Her
nandez, on board the steamer Gloucester
had arrived in the harbor of Banes. He
Immediately proceeded ashore and deliv-
cred an important communication to Gen
Garcia. who had recently come into pos
session of that port. 1t conveyed to Gen
Garcia the first information regarding the
proposed expedition to Santiago. and he
Immediately gave orders for the concen-
tration suggested in the vicinity of San
tiago de Cuba.
The difficulties in his way We're very
great, but overcome. one after another
until on the 18th of June at 7:39 a. m.
he reached Aserradero and placed him
self in communication with Admiral
Sampson. Invited by the latter on board
his flagship, the two proceeded to concert
plan of attack preparatory to the ex-
pected arrival of Gen. Skaters expedi-
ton.
1t should not be forgotten that in his at
titude toward the military authorities of
this Government General Garcia was not
acting simply on his own authority, but
in obedience to orders that he had pre-
viously received from the council of the
Cuban government TO obey and respect
the orders and instructions of the COM
manders of the American army whenever
they should commence operations in the
territory under his command
General Shafter. on arrival of his ex-
pedition off Santiago Bay, visited Cen
eral Garcia at his headquarters at Aser-
radero, to confer with him in regard to
the attack by land The result of this
conference was that it was determined
to make the landing of the American
forces east instead of west of the Bay
of Santiago, and Cuban troops were
placed on board American transports to
re-enforce the brigade of General Ramon,
already in a position to protect the land
ing of the American forces
The re-enforcements landed at Sagua
and advanced at once on Baiquiri the
united commands being under General
Castillo. The Spanish troops at Baiquiri
hastily abandoned their position at that
place, which was at once occupied by the
Cubans; and when the American navy
bombarded the hills In the vicinity of that
.o"H, PfepdratorS 10 the landing or the
forces of General Shafter, the result of
such bombardment was the spilling of
Cuban blood only. From that time to the
close of the campaign the Cubans were
always in the vanguard, at Firmeza and
Siboney, at Las Guasimas and Ell Caney
On the first of July, under orders from
Gen. Shafter, Gen. Garcia, with his 400
Cubans, began. at $50 in the morning his
march toward Marianao. and at I
o'clock occupied the positions allotted TO