The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-29
ARAHGUREN,s BRILLIANT CAREER.
The Cuban sheridnn's Own Account OF the
Execution or Col. Ruis.

The Cuban sheridnn's Own Account or tho
Execution or Col. Ruiz.
Tho death of Brighten. Nestor -Aranguren.
second in command of the Cuban forces in
Havana province, robs the patriots Of ono of
their most promising officers. Aranguren was
born in 1874 and belonged to one Of the Oldest
and best known families in Cuba. His father
was during tho ten years war one of the
Junta's representative in Havana.
At tho outbreak Of tho present war. on Feb.
"a. 1894. Aranguren planned to join Gen. Julio
Sanguily's regiment. but the %lattcr's capture
caused the project to come to nothing. Several
months later he Joined Gen. Maxine Gomez and
soon distinguished himself by capturing q Span
ish fort near Santa Clara. This act was one Of
the many daring raids which made him
famous. He stole into the fort alone. and. after
overpowering a sentry, opened the door to
his companions. Here he secured $50 rifles,
several thousand rounds Of ammunition and six
teen prisoners. Gen. Gomez promoted him to
the grade of Captain for this exploit. He was
promoted to tho rank OF Brigadier.General for
the brilliant manner in which he captured the
Guanabacoa train last year. The attempt was
made with the idea OF seizing Major Fonsde-
viela. the military despot Of Guanabacoa. The
net that attracted the most attention to him was
the execution of Colonel Ruiz, who was sent by
Gen. Blanco to try to secure his support to
autonomy by the offer Of q bride. In q recent
letter to q friend in this city Arangurcn wrote:
You must oil know by this time of Ruiz's
sad end. None, moro than /. regretted his
death, but I am q soldier. and as such must obey
my superior's command. Several weeks ago
Ruiz, who had always been a personal friend Of
mine. wrote to me that he was going to lay me
a visit. replied that providing his visit was
not to propose autonomy l would gladly wei.
come him. A few days later i was in,
head of n battalion TO nav mn hia nrOnnaP1
call. The following morning as l was sitting
under my tfemdd dc campdna q sentry sent me
hastily mounted my horse ana rode 10 tho out
post. Seven men, among whom l could distin-
Ruish Ruiz, were advancing toward tho camp.
Fearing some treachcry. l removed my force to
the outcome Of this strange action.
u. The fol i "a, day az q , was 10 o'clock oc in the
Colonel and accompanied by two PRACTICES.
presented himself at one of the outposts. From
haye Se avoided stari the ee, ene eenness f bnt II M0 %as f not ~
my power to do SO. Mounted | met Ruiz at the
sn.rSG &c %nsr my ef besIia1 Hs WAS msn ysTy Pile Gs r and
forward and attempted to grasp my hand.
which refused to let him hHve; at. 49,
pearinS to notice my ACTON. 'TSis life 'e1-
IDENTIFY agrees with YOU. You are a fortunate boy;
have. Autonomy has been granted and you. my
dear friend, have been selected as the first one
Tin vain did 1 hold up my hand and motion him
to stop talking.
".I have come he continued. to offer tho
pardon Of a generous Government and such a
and you will have II. 1t all lies with you. Ask
ruiz had condemned himself. and l ordered
my men to arrest him. He was AT once tried.
found guilty, and shot. He met his death like a
brave man, fearless to the end. This Ia n true
account of how all this sad affair occurred, and
when my friends in tho North read this / hope
they will reason as 1 did, that a soldiers duty TO
his country comes first OF ALL"
Gen. AranRuren, although a young man. had
the confidence of all his superiors. Gomez
called him the Cuban Sheridan"