Military officer; born in
Holguin, Cuba, Oct. 14, 1836.
He studied law and began practice, but subsequently joined the struggling patriots in
Cuba, and in 1868 (with
Carlos Manuel Cespedes and Marmol) planned the revolution which is known historically as the “Ten years War.”
On Oct. 10, 1868, he took up arms with Marmol at the head of 150 men. For a time great success attended them, and they captured many towns.
For courage and ability in these actions
Garcia was made brigadier-general under
Gomez.
Later the provisional government made him commander-in-chief of the Cuban forces in place of
Gomez.
removed. On Sept. 3, 1873, his victorious career suffered a decided reverse.
With twenty men he was attacked by 500 Spaniards at
San Antonio del Babor.
When commanded to surrender he determined to die by his own hand rather than submit to capture.
Placing a revolver in his mouth he fired upward.
The ball came out at his forehead, and he carried a scar for life.
He was taken to Manzanillo in his wounded condition, and when he recovered was sent to
Spain.
After peace was made in 1878 he was pardoned and returned to
Cuba.
He did not, however.
consider the peace either honorable or binding, and took part in the “little war,” in which he fought with
Maceo.
He was compelled to surrender, and was sent to
Madrid, where he spent seventeen years under the surveillance of the po-
[
11]
lice.
In September, 1895, he crossed the frontier into
France, sailed to New York, and on Jan. 26, 1896, planned a filibustering expedition which was successful.
Afterwards, while fitting out another expedition, he was arrested by the United States government.
He forfeited his bail, and on March 15, 1896, met the
Bermuda, a filibustering steamer, off
Cape Henlopen, and reached
Cuba with sixty-two Cubans, six field-guns, and a quantity of dynamite.
He won several brilliant victories, among them that at
Victoria de los Yunos, the loss of which was one of the reasons for the recall of
General Weyler.
After the occupation of
Santiago by the
Americans,
Garcia withdrew from the Cuban army, because
General Shafter would not turn over to him the command of
Santiago; but he was subsequently reconciled to the new military conditions.
In November of the same year (1898), he came to the
United States as chairman of a commission to present the views of the Cuban leaders to
President McKinley, but before accomplishing his purpose he suddenly died, Dec. 11.
High official and military honors were paid to his remains in
Washington.
