River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-01-12

the Cuban people of the kindly and
fraternal intentions of the govern
ment at Washington towards the peo-
pie of Cuba. 1t was the purpose of the
president to depend largely upon
Gen. Garcia for the formulation and
development of a stable government,
gradually bringing the people TO
state of civilization and appreciation
of liberty.
Marti. Maceo and Garcia are names
that will linger in the grateful mem
cries of the friends of free Cuba
throughout generations. They are the
great martyrs who were foremost in
the conflict and fell before they saw
the full fruition of their heroism and
sacrifice.
Marti was the leader of the Cuban
revolution. He was the youngest of
all, but he planned and put into execu-
tion the beginning of the war that
swept the flag and power of Spain from
the lovely isle. He fell in one of the
earliest skirmishes of the war, and was
the first Of the great martyrs whose
blood gave Cuba independence.
Maceo was the Stonewall Jackson of
the Cuban rebellion. He had won the
respect even of Spain by his heroism
and skill as n military leader in the
Ten Years war, and he fell by the hand
of an assassin just when the battle of
Cuban independence became a hopeful
one. He will rank in history as one of
the few men who have taught the world
- Il, eta lNra1 ct h
the white man in the line Of great war
riors.
Garcia. like Maceo, was one of the
great heroes of the Ten Years rebel
lion, and he never bowed to Spanish
authority. Once, when wounded and
unable to make his escape from the
Spanish soldiers, he fired his pistol into
his own mouth, the bullet emerging
from his forehead, leaving a ghastly
mark to tell the story of his undying
hostility to Spanish rule. Being left
on the field as dead, his powerful con-
stitution enabled him to recover. He
played a most conspicuous part in the
late instruction and united his forces
with the American army at Santiago,
but escaped the perils of the field only
to bring with him the dregs of disease
which ended his great life on the very
day that the news of peace between
Spain and the United States, including
the independence of Cuba, was pro-
claimed to the world.
Gomez, commander in chief of the
Cuban insurgents, has rounded out
great life after having exhibited the
highest qualities of great commander,
and now, when beyond the patr;archia!
age and the freedom of Cuba is achieved,
he will retire to enjoy the blessings he
has so largely aided in winning for the
oppressed people of Cuba. He will be
honored while living and widely la
ented when dead, but the names
which call out the pathos IN the history
ofCuban independence are MART. Maceo
and Garcia.
The participation of Gen. Garcia in
The siege of Santiago has never been
officially promulgated in this country
ard none of the metropolitan rewspa-
pers has published the facts, because
thev have not had access to them. The
writer has learned from officers at army
headquarters, in the war department
building, some facts on the subject
which are now written for the first time
While Gen. Miles was endeavoring to
embark the Fifth corps, which was 20
go 10 Cuba under Skaters command,
he received word from Gen. Garcia ask
ing that instructions be sent t. hlm for
cooperation with the American army.
Gen. Miles sent instructions in he form
of suggestions and requests, but they
were heartily accepted as commands
showing the good will and alacTity of
soldier and patriot. So anxious was
Garcia to show his readiness 10 coop
crate that his responses were hurried
forward through different channels in
order that in case one should niscarry
another might reach it's destination.
Gen. Garcia said that he would at once
concentrate his forces al the points in-
dictated: that he would march without
delay; that he had already sent forces
TO prevent aid going to Santiago from
Holguin; and that he would guard other
approaches to Santiago, How earnest
was his purpose, and how energeticaliy
executed. is evidenced by the fact that
on the arrival Of Skaters expedition.
Garcia's forces were already in position
sll around Santiago, practically encom-
passing that city and the Spanish feet
lying in it's harbor.