Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-07-12


entered the Spanish army, being grant
ed the commission of lieutenant, but
when his family emigrated to Cuba he
withdrew from the service of Spain
and gave himself heart and soul to the
cause OF Cuba Libre. His home for
many years was near Santiago.
1t was in 1868 that he Joined the
patriot army, and his ability and In
trepidity earned him rapid promotion.
During the revolution Of that time he
beat the Spaniards at the battles of
Jiguana and Holguin and made the
name Of Gomez one to be feared. In
1872 Gen. Agramonts. then command
er-in-chief of the Cuban army, pro-
noted Gomez to brigadier general
ship, and after that the Spanish SOL
diers called him 1.-The Terror" He
had only small, badly equipped force
OF half-naked soldiers, who fought
with poor weapons, but he captured
Nuevitas, Santa Cruz and Cascorra
and fought the battle OF Las Quasi
mas against overwhelming odds.
In 1874 he invaded the province of
Santa Clara. driving the Spanish
forces before him, defeating Gen.
Jovellar in several small engagements
and was made major general. When
the revolution died out In 1878 and the
treaty Of Zanjon was signed Gomez
was prescribed. He escaped to ia
naica and lived farmers life there
until the recrudescence of the rebellion
in 1895 under Jose Marti
He landed in Cuba April IA. 1898,
was hailed by the Cubans with Wild
enthusiasm and was made command
er-in-chief. His ability and energy
and his genius for accomplishing re-
suits without fighting pitched battles
spread the revolution until the whole
island was involved. His military
tactics caused him to be criticised and
sneered at by the Spaniards. and even
some Of his own officers. but he was
adored by the rank and file and by
the Cuban people, who looked to him
to secure the liberation of the island.
Time after time he used his Spanish
Time after time he used his
tactics with success against large
Spanish armies, outflanking the over.
confident enemy. falling unexpectedly
on their rear and turning apparent de-
feat into victory.
Perhaps his most remarkable
achievement was at the battle Of Sar-
atoga. where he hastily gathered SOC
men to meet the advancing columns
Of Gen. Castellanos. With his little
force of 500 and odd he met, defeated
and drove back the 1900 Spanish
| troops under Castellanos In spite OF
the artillery and unlimited ammuni
ton his foes had. The fight lasted
four days. Gomez lost 65 killed and
1873 wounded.
Gomez was very proud of the repu
tation he had gained of having never
lost battle. His personal bravery
had wonderful effect on the raw re
cruits of which the greater part of hi:
forces was made up during the frs
part of the last revolution. 1t is sale
that no man ever fiinched. no matter
how thick the bullets flew, while
Comets eye was on him.
Gen. Gomez was a small man, abou
5 feet 9 inches tall. and slenderl,
built During the last years of hi.
life he suffered greatly from wount
he received in the right leg. He hat
keen, penetrating eyes and a restless
wary look. He had the friendlies
possible feeling for the United States
He was sorely disappointed when AT
ter he had scored important successes
against the Spaniards the United
States refused to recognize the bellig
erency Of Cuba. But when this coun
try lent hand Gen. Gomez did all II
his power to secure the friendliest re
lations.
| He enjoyed perhaps more than an!
other Cuban leader the love and con
fidence Of the Cuban people. His las
visit to the United States was In tn,
spring of 1903. when he visited the 81
| In,lis expOsitiOn