Battle of Loma del Gato

The Battle of Loma del Gato was a battle of the Cuban War of Independence that occurred on July 5, 1896[2] at Santiago de Cuba, Oriente Province.It is notable for the death of José Maceo

Battle of Loma del Gato
Part of Cuban War of Independence

Map of the battle
DateJuly 5, 1896
Location
Santiago de Cuba, Oriente Province, Cuba
Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
Cuban rebels Spain
Commanders and leaders
José Maceo †
Pedro Agustín Pérez
Matías Vega Alemán
Agustín Cebreco
Luis Bonne		 Tirso Albert
Joaquín Vara de Rey[1]
Units involved
1st Corps Two columns
Casualties and losses
16 killed and 40 or 50 wounded[1] 80 dead and 160 wounded[1]

The Battle

When the Mambises reached El Espartillo, the fire of the outposts was felt from the Sangre de Toro and Camarones heights.

General José Maceo went up to "El Espartillo" and from there ordered Colonel Luis Bonne, with the Prado Regiment, to march in the direction of La Jagüita; to Colonel Agustín Cebreco, towards the Loma del Gato, to Brigadier Pedro Agustín Pérez, to cover the position of El Mamón, and to Brigadier Matías Vega Alemán, to support Cebreco's forces.

About fifteen minutes later, he sent Colonel Luis Aranda towards "La Jagüita", so that Colonel Bonne attacked the enemy, and ordered Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Sánchez Hechavarría with his flying guerrilla, "Maceo", to advance towards "Loma del Gato "by the shortest route and support Cebreco's forces, which were already fighting.

After about 20 minutes, José became impatient because he did not feel the fire in the direction in which Sánchez Hechavarría should be attacking and decided to march with his escort and assistants to meet the Spanish, who was already fighting with Cebreco's forces.

Death of General Maceo

Upon reaching "Loma del Gato", General José Maceo personally arranged the location of the forces that accompanied him and launched into combat.

A few minutes later, General José on horseback got too close to enemy fire. He was mortally wounded by a gunshot to the head and collapsed from his horse.[3]

His aide, Lieutenant Salvador Durruty , tried to lift him off the ground, receiving a bullet in the groin. The Cuban doctor Porfirio Valiente extracted the projectile from General José. Moments later, the general died in the arms of his companions.[4]

The Cubans suffered another 15 casualties in the course of the battle, which ended in defeat for them, having lost an important general.[1]

References
  1. Joaquín Vara de Rey y la batalla de El Caney - 1898 Miniaturas
  2. 5 de Julio de 1896 - Cae en combate José Maceo, en Loma de Gato
  3. John Lawrence Tone (2008). Guerra y genocidio en Cuba, 1895-1898. Turner, 2008. p. 180. ISBN 978-8475068138.
  4. 125th anniversary of the fall in combat of General José Maceo - Sierra Maestra newspaper
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