Adolfo Jiménez Castellanos facts for kids

Adolfo Jiménez Castellanos (born in 1844 – died on January 18, 1929) was an important Spanish general. He became the last Spanish Governor General of Cuba. On January 1, 1899, he officially handed control of Cuba over to the United States.

Early Life and Military Training

Adolfo Jiménez Castellanos was born in a town called Montilla in Córdoba, Spain. He studied to become an officer at the Infantry Corps School in Toledo.

In 1865, when he was 21, he was sent to Cuba. There, he joined the Spanish army stationed in a city called Puerto Príncipe (now known as Camagüey). He later married a woman from Camagüey, and they had six children together.

Military Career in Cuba

First Wars in Cuba

By 1868, Castellanos was a captain. This was when the Ten Years' War began in Cuba. He helped the Spanish army in battles across the central part of the island.

After this war, he also took part in other conflicts. These included the Protest of Baragua and the Little Wars.

Return to Spain and Back to Cuba

From 1883 to 1886, Castellanos worked in Havana as a secretary for the army's infantry and militia. After his wife passed away, he returned to Spain.

For the next nine years, he worked in the War Ministry in Madrid. He was in charge of the "Campaign section," which dealt with military operations.

In 1895, another war started in Cuba, known as the War of Three Years. The Spanish Captain General of Cuba, Arsenio Martínez-Campos y Antón, asked Castellanos to return. He needed Castellanos's experience and knowledge of Cuba for the war.

Role in the Spanish-American War

Castellanos took charge of the military area around Port-au-Prince. He led troops in battles across the region. In April 1898, he took control of the Trocha Division.

Later that year, the United States joined the conflict. This led to major land battles in Santiago and the sinking of the Spanish fleet. Spain then surrendered.

Castellanos helped send Spanish soldiers from the Trochas region back home. In November, he became the Captain General in Havana.

Handing Over Cuba

After the war, Castellanos was in charge of sending about 87,000 Spanish soldiers back to Spain. He made sure they were well-behaved, had good places to stay, and received enough food. He also oversaw the return of soldiers who had been in hospitals.

As the Spanish President of the Evacuation Commission, he managed the process of handing Cuba over. He made sure the transfer was done properly.

On January 1, 1899, Castellanos officially transferred Cuba to the United States. He said:

Sir, following the Treaty of Paris, and the orders of my King, today at noon, January 1, 1899, Spanish rule over Cuba ends, and the rule of the United States begins...

After this, he traveled to Matanzas and Cienfuegos to finish sending the remaining troops home. On February 6, he returned to Spain with the last group of soldiers.

Later Life and Retirement

Adolfo Jiménez Castellanos became the youngest Lieutenant General in the Spanish Army. He held important commands in different regions of Spain, including New Castile, Galicia, and Valencia.

In 1910, he became an adviser to the Supreme Council of War and Navy. He retired from the army in 1916 at the age of 72.

Castellanos passed away in Madrid on January 18, 1929, when he was 85 years old.

See also

In Spanish: Adolfo Jiménez Castellanos para niños